MENDOCINO CO., 11/2/24 — The Woods Cooperative Association in Little River was awarded a $2,000 grant recently from the ROC USA Association. ROC stands for Resident Owned Communities, of which the Woods is one.
Richard Hubacek, the Woods’ bear and trash committee chairperson, submitted the proposal to ROC; he was aided by Carol Bishop, the organization’s board secretary. The grant will support the design and construction of bear-proof trash receptacles that are also easy for the residents to use.
The Woods entered a competitive field: the ROC association received 40 applications and only awarded 11 grants. Last year, the Woods experienced over 20 incidents with bears, including a persistent mom with cubs in tow. The result was littering, bin damage, and a trash bin being overturned.
The Woods has 109 manufactured homes, with most residents over age 55. Residents own their homes; the association joined ROC USA in Dec. 2021.
Oh this sounds like a wonderful place to live. 🥰 I hope the bears leave them alone now ❤️