Crowsnest Conservation provides and supports a number of community conservation programs.  There are many ways to be involved in the conservation of this landscape and the benefits to being involved are many.

To learn more about Crowsnest Conservation's programs, please visit the links below.

CONNECTING TO NATURE EVENTS
CROWSNEST RIVER WATERSHED
BEARSMART

Crowsnest Conservation’s Living With Bears program is an outreach and educational program for residents of Crowsnest Pass.  Autumn 2009 marked the fourth consecutive year of the program.  The purpose of this project is to teach bear awareness and provide residents with the tools to reduce or eliminate bear attractants in order to reduce the potential for bear-human conflicts.  Working closely with local Alberta Sustainable Resource Development’s Fish and Wildlife Officers and the BearSmart Committee, the Living With Bears Program is a leading advocate for wildlife with a positive, sustainable vision for the co-existence of wildlife and people in Crowsnest Pass.     

Are you BearSmart?

• Report all bear sightings to Fish and Wildlife.
• Use bear-resistant containers for your garbage and only put your garbage out on pick-up day.
• If you haven’t done so, ensure all bird feeders are taken down from April 1 to October 31.
• Bring pet food and dishes inside overnight.
• When making landscape decisions, avoid shrubs that produce berries and trees that produce fruit.
• Consider indoor worm composting for kitchen waste instead of outdoor composting.
• Clean and store your barbecue properly.
• Join the Community Apple Round-Up and the Apple Network.
• Support the Crowsnest Pass BearSmart Program and join the BearSmart Committee!

Living With Bear Program:

1) Bear-Resistant Containers

The Bear Hazard Assessment completed for Crowsnest Pass by Miistakis Institute for the Rockies indicated that inadequately stored garbage is the number one known bear attractant.  In 2006, Crowsnest Conservation received twenty bear-resistant containers from UnBearAble Bins that are currently distributed throughout the community.  Bins are loaned to area residents experiencing problems with wildlife, particularly bears.  In cooperation with Alberta Fish and Wildlife, Crowsnest Conservation moves the bins to certain bear “hot spots” as they occur throughout the community,  eliminating access to household waste attractants.

If you are experiencing bear problems, call Fish and Wildlife (403.562.3289) to let them know of bear sightings in your community.  Fish and Wildlife will use the Karelian Bear Dogs to protect the community and the bears from getting into trouble.

If bears are getting into your garbage, or you don’t have a proper place to store your garbage, call Crowsnest Conservation to borrow a bear-resistant container on short-term loan – free!

2) Community Apple Round-Up

Fallen fruit is also a major bear attractant and many people in the community are unable to pick their ripe fruit regularly.   With the BearSmart Committee, Fish and Wildlife and volunteers, Crowsnest Conservation organizes a fall Community Apple Round-up.

Crowsnest Conservation also organizes an Apple Network, connecting people in the community who would like apples to people who have apples to give away and need to be picked. 

For more information or if you would like to help the community and wildlife, join the Community Apple Round-Up and/or the Apple Network. 

3) Education

As Crowsnest Pass changes and the number of rural residential developments increase, there has been a noted rise in bear-human conflicts on the outskirts of the community.  With Fish and Wildlife and the BearSmart Committee, Crowsnest Conservation focuses on educating the community about BearSmart strategies. Fish and Wildlife officers and the Crowsnest Conservation Program Manager consult with residents and provide advice on removing bear attractants.  If you are interested in making your residence BearSmart, call the office for a free BearSmart consultation!

CCS also organizes community education events that feature Fish and Wildlife’s Karelian Bear Dog Program and the Crowsnest Pass BearSmart Committee.  Call to arrange a BearSmart presentation for your group.  

CROWSNEST PASS: STEWARDSHIP FOR SUSTAINABILITY BROCHURE
CLASSROOM WITH OUTDOORS
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES