Grizzlies feed on berries, plant roots and shoots, small mammals, fish, calves of many hoofed animals, and carrion. Food is often cached in shallow holes, and grizzlies dig readily and vigorously in search of rodents.
Each spring the bear marks the boundary of its territory by rubbing trees, scratching bark, or even biting large pieces from the trunks of trees. During late summer and autumn, grizzlies accumulate large amounts of fat and then retire to dens in winter.
Grizzlies are massive animals with humped shoulders and an elevated forehead. The fur is brown, and the hairs are usually silver- or pale-tipped to give the grizzled effect for which they are named. Large adult grizzlies can grow to be up to 8 feet long and weigh about 900 pounds. Some large adult males can weigh up to 1200 pounds.
Grizzlies, however, are surprisingly agile for their size and can run as fast as 30 mph. Word of warning-you will NOT be able to outrun them. Their eyesight is poor, and they have been known to attack humans without evident provocation.
Females with cubs are the most aggressive, and due to their large size, grizzly bears are at the top of the food chain.
In the 19th century, grizzly bears numbered in the tens of thousands. The formidable bears were threatened with extinction as their habitat was decimated by logging, mining, oil and gas drilling, and land development. They were almost killed to extinction, however, due to action taken by the United States, grizzly bears are regaining ground in places like Yellowstone and along the northern Continental Divide.
However, they continue to struggle in the Idaho panhandle, northwest Montana, and the Cascades.
Habitat destruction is occurring in certain areas where bears are spreading and threats to key food sources have led to increased conflict with humans, leading to additional grizzly bear death.
Ursus Arctos
55,000 globally
Threatened
Tundra, Alpine meadows and Coastline of North America
Habitat Loss
Hunting
A community garden is a wonderful way to bring people together while growing fresh, healthy food. Kids can ask their school, local library, or community center if there’s space to start a garden, then invite neighbors and classmates to help plant, water, and harvest vegetables or flowers. Some gardens even donate their extra produce to food banks or share it with neighbors who need it. It’s a hands-on way to learn about nature, teamwork, and taking care of your community’s shared spaces.
Wildlife centers take care of injured or orphaned animals, and they always need extra support to keep helping. Kids can host a bake sale, lemonade stand, or online fundraiser, or organize a “walk-a-thon” with friends and family to raise money for a wildlife rescue near them. You could also collect donated supplies the center needs, like towels, blankets, or pet food. Even a small donation can help feed, shelter, or heal an animal in need.
Recycling projects let kids turn everyday trash into something useful — or at least keep it out of landfills! You could start a recycling bin program at your school, organize a can and bottle drive to raise money for charity, or get creative and turn old materials into art, planters, or bird feeders. You might even research your town’s recycling rules and make a poster or flyer to help neighbors recycle correctly. Small habits, like rinsing containers or separating paper from plastic, add up to a big impact when a whole community joins in.
Setting up a booth at your local farmers market is a great way to get your whole neighborhood excited about helping the planet. You could raise money for a cause you care about — like a wildlife shelter, a tree-planting group, or a beach cleanup fund — by selling homemade crafts, lemonade, or baked goods. You could also use your booth to teach people about recycling, showing them fun facts or simple tips for sorting their trash the right way. It’s a great way to practice public speaking, teamwork, and making a real difference in your community.
Every year on the third Saturday of September, people around the world celebrate International Coastal Cleanup Day, and you can sign up with local groups in your community to join thousands of other volunteers picking up trash along the shore. But you don’t have to wait for that one day — cleanups can happen any time! Grab some gloves, trash bags, and a few friends, and organize your own cleanup day at a nearby river, stream, lake, or beach. It’s a fun way to hang out with friends while protecting fish, turtles, and birds from plastic and litter. Nationalcleanupday.
Planting trees is one of the easiest ways kids can help fight climate change and give animals a home. You can join organizations like SAFE Worldwide, One Tree Planted, or the Arbor Day Foundation, which often have kid-friendly volunteer days and even let you sponsor a tree from home. Or, team up with your family, neighbors, or scout troop to start your own mini tree-planting project in a local park, schoolyard, or empty lot (just ask permission first!). Every tree you plant helps clean the air, cool the planet, and grow into a home for birds and squirrels for years to come.