| Bear Aware Program Enters its Sixth Year in Squamish |
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| Written by Submitted | ||||||
| Wednesday, 26 May 2010 15:40 | ||||||
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The District of Squamish has been chosen as one of fifteen communities to receive continued support for the Bear Aware program. The program designed to identify and resolve bear-related issues and reduce human-bear conflict is now entering into its sixth year. This program is available to the District from the Province through a program administered by the British Columbia Conservation Foundation, a non-profit organization. "The District remains committed to pursuing Bear Smart accreditation and is supporting the Bear Aware Program for 2010," said Mayor Greg Gardner. "For the past five years, this on-going source for community outreach has been instrumental in increasing individual and community awareness and understanding of bears and human-bear conflicts. Continued education and awareness is critical to the proactive reduction of human-bear conflicts," continued Gardner. "I am looking forward to another year of building partnerships and working co-operatively with the District of Squamish, the Bylaw Enforcement Office, the Conservation Officer Service and the residents of Squamish," said Meg Toom, Squamish Bear Aware Coordinator. The Ministry of Environment in partnership with the British Columbia Conservation Foundation and the Union of British Columbia Municipalities designed the Bear Smart Community program. It is a voluntary, preventative conservation measure that encourages communities, businesses and individuals to work together. The goal of the program is to address the root causes of human-bear conflicts; this in turn will reduce the risk to human safety and private property, and reduce the number of bears that are needlessly destroyed each year. Squamish residents can report bear sightings and bear incidents to the RAPP (Report a Polluter or Poacher) line at 1-877-952-RAPP. "A Conservation Officer will be dispatched only if there is a risk to human safety or to property, but all sightings are tabulated and we can use these reports to direct our garbage patrols and door-to-door activities," said Toom. Bear Aware is always looking for volunteers. Contact Meg at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or at 604.815.5066 Bear Aware has been in existence since 1998, when it was accepted by BCCF to develop the program for delivery around the province of British Columbia. Since that time, BCCF Bear Aware, with consultation and assistance from various experts and specialists, has developed a number of documents that guide communities in how to conduct public education aimed at attractant management to reduce bear-human conflict. For further information, please contact: Meg Toom, Bear Aware Coordinator Tel: 604.815.5066, Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
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