Questions regarding the Bear Aware program's fate were answered this week as the District of Squamish announced provincial funding has been committed for Squamish and 14 other B.C. communities.
IN the fall of 2009, local Bear Aware co-ordinator Meg Toom told Squamish council she was unsure whether the program could continue with its full mandate since the province had considered cutting funding.
The program designed to identify and resolve bear-related issues and reduce human-bear conflict will now enter into its sixth year.
But a recently shelved plan to build a black bear rehabilitation centre in North Vancouver freed up money for the province wide program, said Toom.
Toom said Squamish was able to qualify for the funding by proving its commitment to the program with municipal funding and with its drive for Bear Smart designation.
"The district actually led the way this year," said Toom. "They topped the list of communities who are contributing to the program."
Mayor Greg Gardner said the funding is worth it.
"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."
This program is a co-operative effort and is made available to the district from the province through a program administered by the British Columbia Conservation Foundation, a non-profit organization.
"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 Toom.
The Ministry of Environment in partnership with the foundation and the Union of British Columbia Municipalities (UBCM) 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, which in turn reduces the risk to human safety and private property, and 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. To get involved contact Meg Toom at [email protected] 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.
