Located in bush Alaska, Katmai National Park is one of the best places in the world to see bears in the wild. Each July, some 440,00 salmon swim up Brooks River to spawn. At Brooks Camp in Katmai, they encounter Brooks Falls -- a waterfall that serves as a natural obstacle for the migrating salmon, and therefore a natural gathering place for hungry bears.

(Bear activity usually continues through late October. You can watch live at https://explore.org/livecams/brown-bears/brown-bear-salmon-cam-brooks-falls)

Presenter Stacey Schmeidel was privileged to volunteer for the National Park Service at Katmai National Park for six weeks this summer. She'll talk about her experiences as a volunteer -- living in camp, shipping in food, traveling to bush Alaska.

More importantly, she'll also talk about the bears of Brooks Falls!
-- Bear 503 Cubadult was abandoned by his mother when he was just 1.5 years old -- before he even knew how to fish. Where is he now?
-- Bear 480 Otis may be the most famous -- and beloved -- of all bears. But this gentle giant is aging (at more than 20, he's the oldest male at the falls) -- and now he's missing two front teeth. How will this bear fare this season?
-- And what about all the cubs?

Designed to provide an overview of a summer with the National Park Service, as well as an overview of some pretty amazing bears.

Suitable for young people and adults.