Fifty Seasons

Fifty Seasons is a powerful short documentary that pays tribute to one of the longest consecutively running black bear studies in North America — and to the people behind it. For five decades, a small team of wildlife biologists in Maine has dedicated their lives to understanding the elusive black bear. The study has endured because of the Department’s long-standing commitment, the dedication of the staff who have carried it forward, and consistent funding provided in part through the Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Act (Pittman-Robertson) and through the Bear Research Fund generated from bear hunting permit fees. Through deep snow, thick woods, and long days in the field, they’ve tracked generations of bears and, in the process, built something bigger than data. They’ve built a legacy. This film is an intimate look at the people who led the study, revealing the heart and humanity behind the science. With rarely seen footage and personal reflections, Fifty Seasons captures the emotional weight of a lifetime spent in service of wildlife. It’s a story about stewardship, purpose, and what it means to commit to something for the long haul. Produced by Lone Spruce Creative for Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife. @lone_spruce || https://www.lonespruce.us/ Learn more about black bears in Maine at mefishwildlife.com/blackbear