By Dan Singleton
MVP Staff
Community awareness of the possible dangers of encounters with bears and cougars in the region continues to be vital to ensuring resident and visitor safety, the Mountain View County policies and priorities committee heard May 7.
A two-person delegation from Mountain View BearSmart Society – secretary Jane Bicknell and director Brenda Wagner – made a presentation to the committee, outlining plans and programs for the coming year.
The society promotes awareness of bear and cougar dangers through a notification website, public open houses, school and business visits, workshops, a signage program for area roads, and other ways.
Bicknell said letting people know about dangers is a proven way to help them avoid unwanted wildlife encounters.
“We want to get the message out there that bears and cougars are here in our area and people should be safe,” said Bicknell. “Our prime focus is education. We want to teach people to be safe.”
Notification of bear and cougar activities, educating people about the importance of keeping their properties free of garbage and other attractants, and undertaking hazard assessments are ongoing activities undertaken by the society, she said.
The society would like the county to help with the replacement of “Bear Country” bear awareness signs on a number of county roads that have gone missing over the past months, she said.
“It is very important that the various bear road signs be maintained to get the message out that one is in bear country when west of Highway 22 in the county,” she said.
The society would also like the county to help with the installation of a new “Bear Country” sign near the Water Valley fire hall.
The society would also like the county to consider adding bear smart guidelines (for such things as garbage disposal) to the municipality's land use bylaw, she said.
Canmore recently made such a land use bylaw addition, prohibiting the planting of new fruit-bearing trees, she noted.
The society would also like the county to appoint a councillor or staff member to the BearSmart board, she said.
“A strong partnership with Mountain View County would enhance our future success,” said director Wagner.
Deputy Reeve Patricia McKean, who chaired last week's committee meeting, said bear-proof garbage bins are now available through Mountain View Regional Waste Management Commission.
The committee passed a motion for administration to bring back information about replacement signs and about the possibility of having a councillor or county employee sit on the society board.
