being bearsmart in crowsnest pass
Surrounded by forests and waterways, Crowsnest Pass is situated in a spectacular location. Beyond the community lies important wildlife habitat, and fruit-bearing trees and shrubs, garbage, and bird seed can attract this local wildlife even closer into our neighbourhoods. Repeated encounters with non-natural food sources and/or humans can lead wildlife to lose their natural warinessand can compromise the safety of both animals and community residents.
Shortly after the inception of the Alberta BearSmart program in 2006, Crowsnest Conservation Society began initiatives to educate the community on how to live sustainably with our local bear populations. Over the next dozen years, we worked with community partners and volunteers to encourage citizens, visitors, and businesses to be BearSmart and eliminate/manage wildlife attractants. These initiatives focused on the primary wildlife attractants in our community:
garbage ●apples ●bird/hummingbird feed ●compost ●barbecues ●pet food ●human food
BearSmart Practices at Home:
Crowsnest Conservation Initiatives:
Although we no longer conduct annual BearSmart programming, the following initiatives are presented for information purposes and for other groups looking to initiate similar programming.
Bear-resistant Garbage Bin Loan Program: This program provided a tangible solution for residents needing a secure place to store waste or for residents wishing to try a bear-resistant bin before committing the funds to purchase one. The CCS Bear Bin Program Summary-Feb2015 report describes the operation of our garbage bin program, experience with several styles of bins, and measures of program effectiveness. This report is intended to share information that may be useful for other community BearSmart groups and government agencies interested in starting or improving a bear-resistant bin loan program.
Education:Newspaper articles, radio spotlights, and social media campaigns in the fall raised community awareness by highlighting local bear activity, BearSmart practices, and general bear biology. In conjunction with various guest speakers and a local Fish and Wildlife officer, free bear awareness and other education events were held where participants learned about bear safety and biology, BearSmart practices to be used at home and during recreational pursuits, bear spray use, and bear research occurring in the local area.
Engaging Developers and Decision-makers:Crowsnest Conservation drafted BearSmart amendments to the local Solid Waste Management and Animal Control bylaws as well as BearSmart country residential developer guidelines and liaised with Municipal officials to discuss the adoption of these practices into bylaws.
Apple Network: This old-fashioned apple exchange matched residents with surplus apples and those desiring apples.
Apple Tree Swap:In partnership with a local greenhouse and landscaping company, apple trees at residences with a history of bear activity were swapped for a non-fruit-bearing tree.
Apple Round-up:Local Grade 4/5 students and Crowsnest Conservation volunteers partner each fall to assist seniors and those unable to pick their apples.
Apple Recipe Book:Our Crowsnest Pass Apple Cookbookprovides creative recipe ideas for using local apples readily available each fall.
Indoor Composting: Crowsnest Conservation promoted indoor composting of organic materials by hosting avermi-composting (i.e., worm composting) workshop and by providing indoor electric composters on loan.
Local Survey: In 2013, Crowsnest Conservation and the Government of Alberta ran a voluntary survey for residents and weekenders in Crowsnest Pass to gather information on their knowledge, attitudes, opinions and behaviors related to black bears and grizzly bears in the area, as it relates to the community BearSmart program. The infographic CNP BearSmart Survey Highlights provides a summary of the survey results.
For more information about being BearSmart or previous Crowsnest Conservation BearSmart Initiatives:
Shortly after the inception of the Alberta BearSmart program in 2006, Crowsnest Conservation Society began initiatives to educate the community on how to live sustainably with our local bear populations. Over the next dozen years, we worked with community partners and volunteers to encourage citizens, visitors, and businesses to be BearSmart and eliminate/manage wildlife attractants. These initiatives focused on the primary wildlife attractants in our community:
garbage ●apples ●bird/hummingbird feed ●compost ●barbecues ●pet food ●human food
BearSmart Practices at Home:
- Store your garbage in bear-proof containers or buildings. Only put your garbage out on the morning of pick-up.
- Pick your apples and berriesand windfall regularly.
- Use bird feedersonly between October 31-April 1. If the weather in late fall or early spring is mild, contact Fish and Wildlife to see if they recommend having feed available.
- Store pet foodindoors and bring in pet dishes overnight.
- Never leave foodout for wildlife.
- Consider indoor composting(worms or electric composter) instead of outdoor composting.
- Plant non-fruit bearing trees and shrubswhen landscaping.
- Support and advocate for a community-wide BearSmart waste management program & policies.
- Report all bear and cougar sightings to our local Fish and Wildlife Office at (403) 562-3289or after hours call Report-A-Poacher at 1 (800) 642-3800.
Crowsnest Conservation Initiatives:
Although we no longer conduct annual BearSmart programming, the following initiatives are presented for information purposes and for other groups looking to initiate similar programming.
Bear-resistant Garbage Bin Loan Program: This program provided a tangible solution for residents needing a secure place to store waste or for residents wishing to try a bear-resistant bin before committing the funds to purchase one. The CCS Bear Bin Program Summary-Feb2015 report describes the operation of our garbage bin program, experience with several styles of bins, and measures of program effectiveness. This report is intended to share information that may be useful for other community BearSmart groups and government agencies interested in starting or improving a bear-resistant bin loan program.
Education:Newspaper articles, radio spotlights, and social media campaigns in the fall raised community awareness by highlighting local bear activity, BearSmart practices, and general bear biology. In conjunction with various guest speakers and a local Fish and Wildlife officer, free bear awareness and other education events were held where participants learned about bear safety and biology, BearSmart practices to be used at home and during recreational pursuits, bear spray use, and bear research occurring in the local area.
Engaging Developers and Decision-makers:Crowsnest Conservation drafted BearSmart amendments to the local Solid Waste Management and Animal Control bylaws as well as BearSmart country residential developer guidelines and liaised with Municipal officials to discuss the adoption of these practices into bylaws.
Apple Network: This old-fashioned apple exchange matched residents with surplus apples and those desiring apples.
Apple Tree Swap:In partnership with a local greenhouse and landscaping company, apple trees at residences with a history of bear activity were swapped for a non-fruit-bearing tree.
Apple Round-up:Local Grade 4/5 students and Crowsnest Conservation volunteers partner each fall to assist seniors and those unable to pick their apples.
Apple Recipe Book:Our Crowsnest Pass Apple Cookbookprovides creative recipe ideas for using local apples readily available each fall.
Indoor Composting: Crowsnest Conservation promoted indoor composting of organic materials by hosting avermi-composting (i.e., worm composting) workshop and by providing indoor electric composters on loan.
Local Survey: In 2013, Crowsnest Conservation and the Government of Alberta ran a voluntary survey for residents and weekenders in Crowsnest Pass to gather information on their knowledge, attitudes, opinions and behaviors related to black bears and grizzly bears in the area, as it relates to the community BearSmart program. The infographic CNP BearSmart Survey Highlights provides a summary of the survey results.
For more information about being BearSmart or previous Crowsnest Conservation BearSmart Initiatives:
- Contact
- Crowsnest Conservation: Elizabeth Anderson, WildED Coodinator at (403) 563-0058, [email protected]
- Our local Fish and Wildlife Office at (403) 562-3289 or after hours call Report-A-Poacher at 1 (800) 642-3800.
- Visit