BearSmart updates council

Mountain View County BearSmart Society (MVBS) officials have given the municipality’s policies and priorities committee an update on the group’s activities and plans.

Society president Paul Fraser and wildlife biologist Chirastalla Feder appeared before the committee as a delegation on July 4.

The society promotes awareness of bear and cougar hazards through workshops, community talks, school presentations, community events such as the annual Family Day, demonstrations, as well as with sighting reports provided online.

“We want people to be able to exist with wildlife,” said Fraser. “We want people to be aware of some of the potential hazards.”

“People are very engaged. They provide photos of bears they see.”

The risk of unwanted bear-human contacts can be reduced through a number of ways, said Feder.

“Part of the conflict comes because there is very little understanding of the wildlife needs,” she said. “When people provide attractants (such as garbage left out) to fulfil those needs all of a sudden the conflict is created.

“Certainly the conflict can be diminished when we are proactive, educate people and put measures in the field to provide a degree of conflict reduction for both sides.”

Those measures can include installing bear-proof garbage and grain bins.

Almost 800 people now receive MVBS’s weekly bear activity report online.

The society made a request to have a county councillor be appointed to the board.

Coun. Greg Harris called the society’s efforts worthwhile for the community at large.

“I am totally impressed,” said Harris. “They provide an excellent service. I think it’s an absolutely great program. It is something we need to support and keep functioning in the community."

Harris said he would be prepared to serve as the MVC representative on BearSmart.

Coun. Peggy Johnson said, “I echo councillor Harris’s remarks.”

Members passed a motion calling on council to consider appointing a councillor to the BearSmart board.

County administration is working with BearSmart to find grants to help fund the society’s operation.

The policies and priorities committee is made up of county councillors.