Revelstoke Bear Aware Society Annual Report December 31, 2010

Transcription

1 Revelstoke Bear Aware Society Annual Report December 31, 2010 Janette Vickers Revelstoke Bear Aware Community Coordinator

2 Revelstoke Bear Aware Society Annual Report Table of Contents 1.0 Introduction Program Information Program Summary Community Profile Historic Situation Current Situation Sighting and Mortality Results Black Bears Grizzly Bears Attractants Program Delivery Presentations Garbage Tagging Door to Door Pruning Workshop Electric Fencing Workshop The Gleaning Project Media Newspaper Radio Video Internet Television Volunteers Bear Smart Barriers to the Program Future of the Program Reccomendations for Acknowledgements Appendix 1.0 Letters of Support Appendix 2.0 Newspaper Articles and Media Releases Appendix 3.0 Bear Aware Volunteer Program..58

3 Revelstoke Bear Aware Society Annual Report List of Figures Figure 1. Black Bear in Search of Food. Photo: Noleen Mostert, Figure 2. Satelite Image of Revelstoke provided by Google Earth. 6 Figure 3. Graph of Bear Management in Revelstoke, Figure 4. Black Bear Sighting. Photo: Noleen Mostert, Figure 5. Graph of Black Bear Reports and Mortality in Revelstoke, Figure 6. Black bear attempting to find an easy meal. Photo: Noleen Mostert, Figure 7. Graph of Bear Attractants in Revelstoke, Figure 8. Graph of Bear Attractants in Revelstoke, Figure 9. Graph of Bear Attractants in Revelstoke, Figure 10. Garbage Bear. Photo: Janette Vickers, Figure 11. Black Bear Eating Birdseed. Photo: Noleen Mostert, Figure 12. Cartoon from The Revelstoke Current: Don Flipchuck Figure 13. Parks Day, Revelstoke Bear Aware Display and Activities. Photo: J. Vickers, Figure 14. Parks Day, Bear Cub. Photo: Janette Vickers, Figure 15. Community Connections Pre-Teen Camp: Bear Print Art. Photo: J. Vickers, Figure 16. Community Connections Pre-Teen Camp: Street Painting. Photo: J. Vickers.. 16 Figure 17. Community Connections Pre-Teen Camp: Poster. Photo: J. Vickers. 16 Figure 18. Revelstoke Market, Revelstoke Bear Aware Display and RAPP Van. Photo: J. Vickers. 17 Figure 19. Garbage Collection Areas in Revelstoke, Figure 20. Garbage Tags on Containers. Photo:Janette Vickers, Figure 21. Fruit Tree Pruning Workshop. Photo: Penny Page-Brittin, Figure 22. Bear Scratch Marks. Photo: Penny Page-Brittin, Figure 23. Gillian Sanders, Electric Fencing Workshop. Photo: Janette Vickers, Figure 24. Participants Learn About Electric Fencing. Photo: Janette Vickers, Figure 25. Natalie Stafl with The Gleaning Project. Photo: Janette Vickers, Figure 26. The Gleaning Project. Photo: Janette Vickers, Figure 27. Cartoon from The Revelstoke Current. Don Flipchuck, Figure 28. Open Garbage Cans Across from the Community Centre. Photo: F. Maltby, Figure 29. New Bear-Proof Garbage Cans at Community Centre. Photo: P. Page-Brittin, Figure 30. Black bear tracks leading to a dumpster. Photo: Janette Vickers, List of Tables Table 1. The Total Number of Complaints and Sightings Reported to the PWOR Line and Revelstoke Bear Aware between 2005 and Table 2. The Number of Reported Calls Concerning Black Bears and Black Bear Mortality, Between 2005 and 2010 in Revelstoke 9 Table 3. The Number of Reported Calls Concerning Grizzly Bears and Grizzly Bear Mortality, Between 2005 and 2010 in Revelstoke Table 4. Bear Attractants Reported Between 2005 and 2010 in Revelstoke 11 Table 5. Public Displays and Presentations in Table 6. The Number of Garbage Tags in Each Collection Area in Revelstoke, Table 7. Revelstoke Bear Aware Newspaper Articles, Table 8. Revelstoke Bear Aware Advertisements, Table 9. Revelstoke Bear Aware Volunteers,

4 Revelstoke Bear Aware Final Report INTRODUCTION 1.1 Program Information Revelstoke Bear Aware Society is a public awareness education program. Our mission is to reduce conflict between people and bears in the community of Revelstoke and immediate area. The program is implemented by a Bear Aware Community Coordinator, who is hired by the Revelstoke Bear Aware Society throughout the year. The program is also partially funded by the British Columbia Conservation Foundation between May and November. Funding for the Revelstoke Bear Aware Society in 2010 was also received from the Columbia Basin Trust-Community Initiatives Fund, Revelstoke Community Foundation, Shell Environment Fund and Canadian Pacific. Invaluable in-kind support was received from Parks Canada, the City of Revelstoke, the Ministry of Forests and the program s many volunteers. The Bear Aware education program has been delivered in Revelstoke since 1996 with impressive results. The annual average number of bears destroyed has been reduced from 27 to 7. The program receives large community wide support (See letters of support in Appendix A) Program Summary This annual report describes the accomplishments of Revelstoke Bear Aware from January 01, 2010 to December 31, The focus of the Revelstoke Bear Aware education program in 2010 was to continue working towards attaining Provincial Bear Smart status as well as continuing our diverse education outreach programs within our community to reduce human-bear conflict and educate residents about reducing bear attractants. Penny Page-Brittin, who has been the Revelstoke Bear Aware Community Coordinator since 2007, moved on to a new position at the end of June, The Revelstoke Bear Aware Society would like to thank Penny for her many accomplishments and dedication to the program. Penny will continue with the Revelstoke Bear Aware Society as a Board Member. Janette Vickers was hired as the new Community Coordinator and started in June, This report is a detailed description of both Community Coordinators activities in The year 2010 was a busy year for bears in and around the Revelstoke area. There were 212 calls made to the Report all Poachers and Polluters (RAPP) hotline and Revelstoke Bear Aware regarding black bears. Six black bears were destroyed in Garbage continues to be the number one attractant for bears, followed secondly by fruit trees. Livestock, pet food, outdoor freezers and fridges, birdfeeders, BBQ s, beehives and vegetable gardens also continue to be attractants. Summary of Accomplishments in 2010: * Revelstoke Bear Aware organized and hosted two workshops in 2010; The Fruit Tree Pruning Workshop in May and the Electric Fencing Workshop in November. Revelstoke Bear Aware delivered 11 Bear Aware presentations and also attended 5 public events and festivals throughout the 2010 season. Through these events we reached a total 979 people. * A total of 43 Garbage Tags were handed out in 2010, with only 3 repeat offenders. Garbage Tagging is a successful tool to educate residents about the number one bear attractant in Revelstoke. * Revelstoke Bear Aware, along with volunteers, went door-to-door to over 800 residences in A Bear Aware brochure was distributed to 550 households as well as Bear Aware bookmarks to 245 households. Letters promoting The Gleaning Project were also distributed to 50 residents with fruit trees.

5 Revelstoke Bear Aware Final Report * Revelstoke Bear Aware, with in-kind support from the City of Revelstoke, held their first Fruit Tree Pruning Workshop in May Fruit is identified as the second largest attractant, after garbage, for bringing bears into the community. The event was a huge success with 25 participants attending. * The Gleaning Project gathers surplus fruits and vegetables from our community, helping to reduce bear attractants. Community Connections Food Bank was pleased to receive 600 pounds of cherries, plums and apples from The Gleaning Project this year. Volunteers contributed over 48 hours into The Gleaning Project in * The Revelstoke Times Review and The Revelstoke Current are both supportive of Revelstoke Bear Aware. A total of 7 articles were published in print in The Revelstoke Times Review and 8 online. A total of 17 articles were published online in The Revelstoke Current, and one in print. * In 2010, Revelstoke Bear Aware purchased advertisements in The Times Review, Reved, the City of Revelstoke Recreation Guide, as well as The Revelstoke Current. The Revelstoke Current has a Revelstoke Bear Aware button to link to the Revelstoke Bear Aware website. * Four different radio ads were recorded with EzRock Radio in Revelstoke Bear Aware Society purchased 21 spots for the ads and EzRock played the ads an extra 121 times, free of charge. Revelstoke Bear Aware was also interviewed about the Electric Fencing Workshop in November. * It would not have been possible to deliver the Revelstoke Bear Aware message to so many members of the community without the support from volunteers. This year a total of 200 volunteer hours were given to Revelstoke Bear Aware. * Revelstoke Bear Aware is continually working towards attaining Bear Smart Status. Please see Section 6.0, to review our successes so far with this initiative. Figure 1. Black bear in search of food. Photo: Noleen Mostert, 2010.

6 Revelstoke Bear Aware Final Report COMMUNITY PROFILE Figure 2. Satelite Image of Revelstoke provided by Google Earth. Revelstoke is located adjacent to the Columbia River at the north end of upper Arrow Lake. Five valleys join here: the Columbia River valley, the Illecillewaet River valley, the Jordan River valley and the Eagle River valley. The Monashee Mountains border the community to the west and the Selkirk Mountains, containing Mount Revelstoke National Park, lie to the East. Much of the surrounding mountain slopes provide prime black and grizzly food sources and shelter. Revelstoke is located in Bear Country! 2.1 Historic Situation The relative isolation of Revelstoke and its proximity to bear habitat has contributed to a high number of human-bear conflicts in the past. Over the ten year period between 1986 and 1996, 15 grizzlies and 266 black bears were destroyed in or near Revelstoke. During the same period, 107 grizzlies and 54 black bears were relocated. In September of 1994, the municipal landfill was protected with electric fencing. Prior to this, the garbage at the landfill provided a major food source for bears, resulting in unnaturally high numbers of habituated and food conditioned grizzly and black bears near Revelstoke. The bears, already accustomed to feeding on garbage at the landfill, started to access alternate food sources within the city. Groups of citizens

7 Revelstoke Bear Aware Final Report voiced their concern about this situation and pressured the local governments to stop or reduce the destruction of bears within and around the city. In an effort to remedy this situation, local residents, agencies, organizations and various levels of government created the Bear Management Committee. The goal of the committee was to develop strategies that would reduce human-bear conflicts and the unnecessary destruction of bears. In 1996, the Bear Management committee acquired funding and created the position of Bear Aware Program Coordinator. The role of the coordinator is to educate the citizens of Revelstoke of their responsibilities and the importance of identifying, reducing or eliminating bear attractants on their property. In 2004, the Revelstoke Bear Aware Society became a registered non-profit organization and now accepts donations, grants and in-kind contributions to achieve this goal. The program has now been operating consistently in Revelstoke for the past 15 years and has proven to be very successful in reducing conflict between people and bears. The average number of bears destroyed each year has been reduced from 27 to 7, since inception of the program. Based on the success of the Revelstoke program, other communities in British Columbia began to show interest and similar programs have been initiated around the province. The British Columbia Conservation Foundation administers the Bear Aware Program and provides financial support to a number of communities throughout the province, including Revelstoke. Bear Management in Revelstoke Relocated Grizzly bears destroyed Black bears destroyed Year Figure 3. Graph of Bear Management in Revelstoke

8 Revelstoke Bear Aware Final Report Current Situation The year 2010 was a year of high bear activity in Revelstoke and surrounding area. There were 212 complaints/sightings reported to the Provincial Problem Wildlife Occurrence Line (RAPP) and the Revelstoke Bear Aware line, with all of the calls related to black bear activity. This is higher than observed in recent years, as seen in Table 1. Table 1. The Total Number of Complaints and Sightings Reported to the RAPP Line and Revelstoke Bear Aware between 2005 and Year Total Complaint/Sightings Reported Figure 4. Black Bear sighting. Photo: Noleen Mostert, Sighting and Mortality Results Black Bears Table 2 summarizes the complaints and sightings concerning black bears received by the Provincial Problem Wildlife Occurrence Line (RAPP) and Revelstoke Bear Aware between 2005 and It also summarizes black bears mortality between 2005 and 2010 in Revelstoke and surrounding area. The number of reported calls concerning black bears in 2010 is the highest received in the last 6 years, however, the number of black bears destroyed per year have been steadily decreasing since 2008.

9 Revelstoke Bear Aware Final Report Table 2. The Number of Reported Calls Concerning Black Bears and Black Bear Mortality, Between 2005 and 2010 in Revelstoke and Surrounding Area. Year Reported Calls Concerning Black Black Bear Mortality Bears Black Bear Reports and Mortality Reported Calls Concerning Black Bears Black Bear Mortality Year Figure 5. Graph of Black Bear Reports and Mortality in Revelstoke,

10 Revelstoke Bear Aware Final Report Figure 6. Black bear attempting to find an easy meal. Photo: Noleen Mostert, Grizzly Bears Table 3 summarizes the calls concerning grizzly bears received by the Provincial Problem Wildlife Occurrence Line (RAPP) and Revelstoke Bear Aware between 2005 and It also summarizes grizzly bear mortality between 2005 and 2010 in Revelstoke and surrounding area. There were no reported calls concerning grizzly bears in 2009 and 2010, which is the lowest in the last 6 years. The number of grizzly bears destroyed in Revelstoke per year has been minimal, with three bears destroyed since Table 3. The Number of Reported Calls Concerning Grizzly Bears and Grizzly Bear Mortality, Between 2005 and 2010 in Revelstoke and Surrounding Area. Year Reported Calls Concerning Grizzly Grizzly Bear Mortality Bears

11 Revelstoke Bear Aware Final Report Attractants Table 4 summarizes reported bear attractants received by the Provincial Problem Wildlife Occurrence Line (RAPP) and Revelstoke Bear Aware between 2008 and Table 4 also includes the number of reported sightings as well as reported property damage. Garbage continues to be the number one attractant for bears, followed secondly by fruit trees between 2008 and Livestock, pet food, outdoor freezers and fridges, birdfeeders, BBQ s, beehives and vegetable gardens also continue to be attractants. Table 4. Bear Attractants Reported Between 2005 and 2010 in Revelstoke. Attractant Garbage Fruit Trees Livestock Pet Food Outdoor Freezers and Fridges Compost Birdfeeders BBQ Beehives Vegetable Garden Train Tracks n/a n/a 3 Salmon at Bridge Creek n/a n/a 1 Property Damage Sightings Bear Attractants in % 1% 2% 3% 3% 4% 4% 12% 18% 52% Garbage Fruit Trees Livestock Pet Food Outdoor Freezers and Fridges Compost Birdfeeders BBQ Beehives Vegetable Garden Figure 7. Graph of Bear Attractants in Revelstoke, 2008.

12 Revelstoke Bear Aware Final Report Bear Attractants in % 5% 5% 5% 5% 13% 54% Garbage Fruit Trees Livestock Pet Food Outdoor Freezers and Fridges Compost Birdfeeders Figure 8. Graph of Bear Attractants in Revelstoke, Bear Attractants in % 3% 2% 1% 3% 2% 2% 4% 17% Garbage Fruit Trees Livestock Pet Food Outdoor Freezers and Fridges Compost 65% Birdfeeders Vegetable Garden Train Tracks Salmon at Bridge Creek Figure 9. Graph of Bear Attractants in Revelstoke, 2010.

13 Revelstoke Bear Aware Final Report Figure 10. Garbage Bear. Photo: Janette Vickers, 2010 Figure 11. Black bear eating birdseed. Photo: Noleen Mostert, 2010 Figure 12. Cartoon from The Revelstoke Current: Don Flipchuck, 2010

14 Revelstoke Bear Aware Final Report PROGRAM DELIVERY 3.1 Presentations Revelstoke Bear Aware organized and hosted two workshops in 2010; The Fruit Tree Pruning Workshop in May and the Electric Fencing Workshop in November. Revelstoke Bear Aware delivered 11 Bear Aware presentations and also attended 5 public events and festivals throughout the 2010 season. Through these events we reached a total 979 people. Table 5 gives details of the presentations, events and festivals and outlines the number of people who attended each event. Table 5: Public Displays and Presentations in Date Event Details Number of People Attended March CBT Community Meeting Bear Aware Presentation 120 April Fire Smart/Bear Aware Walk Bear Hazard Map and Discussions 12 April Community Centre Pre-School Bear Aware Presentation 20 May CSRD Composting Workshop Bear Aware Presentation 25 May Fair Trade Festival Bear Aware Display 75 May Fruit Tree Pruning Workshop Bear Aware Event & Discussion 24 May Chickadee Nature Festival Bear Aware Display, Games and Art 75 July Parks Day Bear Aware Display 183 July Stepping Stones Summer Camp Bear Aware Presentation and Art 47 August Community Connections Youth Camp Bear Aware Presentation and Art 14 August Farmers Market Bear Aware Display 105 August September Community Connections Youth Camp Farmer s Market Bear Aware Presentation and Street Painting 16 Bear Aware Display and RAPP Van 73 September School Group Presentations with Parks Canada Bear Aware Presentations 90

15 Revelstoke Bear Aware Final Report October October Columbia Mountain Institute- Human Dimensions of Natural Resource Development Conference Revelstoke Secondary School Presentation and Tour of Revelstoke Bear Aware Issues 7 Science 10, Bear Aware Presentation 27 November Electric Fencing Workshop Electric Fencing In Bear Country 20 November Jumping Jacks Pre-School Presentations (2) 46 Total: 979 Figure 13. Parks Day, Revelstoke Bear Aware Display and Activities. Photo: Janette Vickers, 2010 Figure 14. Parks Day, Bear Cub. Photo: Janette Vickers, 2010

16 Revelstoke Bear Aware Final Report Figure 15. Community Connections Pre-Teen Camp: Bear Print Art. Photo: Janette Vickers, 2010 Figure 16. Community Connections Pre-Teen Camp, Street Painting: Janette Vickers, 2010 Figure 17. Community Connections Pre-Teen Camp, Street Painting. Photo: Janette Vickers, 2010

17 Revelstoke Bear Aware Final Report Figure 18. Revelstoke Market, Revelstoke Bear Aware Display and RAPP Van. Photo: Janette Vickers, Garbage Tagging Garbage is consistently available to bears in Revelstoke and is the number one bear attractant. Currently, the City of Revelstoke s Garbage Collection bylaw #1759, restricts garbage being placed on the curb between the hours of 7am and 7pm on the day of collection. In 2009, the City s Waste Collection Strategy Committee, of which Revelstoke Bear Aware is a member, drafted changes to the city s garbage collections bylaw to include secure storage of garbage on nongarbage collection days. It is hoped that the bylaw will be brought to City Council in the spring of 2011 and be passed before next year. If the bylaw is passed, an education campaign alerting residents of their new responsibility to secure garbage from bears can begin. As seen in Figure 15, Revelstoke has 5 garbage collection areas with a total of 3100 pickups. Each area has an average of 620 dwellings. There were 212 complaints/sightings reported to the Provincial Problem Wildlife Occurrence Line (RAPP) and the Revelstoke Bear Aware line in 2010, as seen in Table 1. The majority of calls were in Central Revelstoke Area, South Revelstoke Area, Arrow Heights Area, and North Revelstoke Area and the focus on Garbage Tagging was therefore focused in these four areas. To conduct Garbage Tagging, the Revelstoke Bear Aware Community Coordinator and volunteers go out the night before garbage day and tag garbage cans that have been placed on the curb. A bright yellow sticker is placed on the can that states garbage attracts bears, store containers inside until collection day. A total of 43 Garbage Tags were handed out in 2010, with only 3 repeat offenders. Garbage Tagging is a successful tool to educate residents about the number one bear attractant in Revelstoke.

18 Revelstoke Bear Aware Final Report Figure 19. Garbage Collection Areas in Revelstoke, North Revelstoke Area (Blue), Big Eddy- Farwell Area (Pink), Central Revelstoke Area (Yellow), South Revelstoke Area (Green), Arrow Heights Area (Red). Table 6. The Number of Garbage Tags in Each Collection Area in Revelstoke, Area Date Number of Garbage Tags Number of Repeat Offenders Central Revelstoke September 17, Tags Garbage Tagging #1 Central Revelstoke October 1, Tags 3 repeat offenders Garbage Tagging #2 South Revelstoke September 23, Tags Garbage Tagging #1 South Revelstoke October 22, Tags 0 repeat offenders Garbage Tagging #2 North Revelstoke October 20, Tags Garbage Tagging #1 Arrow Heights October 21, 2010 Garbage Tagging #1 2 Tags

19 Revelstoke Bear Aware Final Report Figure 20. Garbage Tags on Containers: Janette Vickers, Door to Door Using calls to the Revelstoke Bear Aware phone line, complaint calls to the Provincial Problem Wildlife Line (RAPP), information from the Bear Hazard Map, and suggestions from the local Conservation Officer, areas of high or potentially high bear activity were identified in All residents within the South Revelstoke Area were targeted as the main area for door-to-door campaigning this year. This year local Compliance and Enforcement Officers from the Ministry of Forests worked together with Revelstoke Bear Aware in door-to-door education. Revelstoke Bear Aware, along with volunteers, went door-to-door to over 800 residences in A Bear Aware brochure was distributed to 550 households as well as Bear Aware bookmarks to 245 households. Letters promoting The Gleaning Project were also distributed to 50 residents with fruit trees. 3.4 Pruning Workshop Revelstoke Bear Aware, with in-kind support from the City of Revelstoke, held their first Fruit Tree Pruning Workshop in May Fruit is identified as the second largest attractant, after garbage, for bringing bears into the community. Pruning a fruit tree to a more manageable size allows for ease of picking and can reduce excess fruit for the resident. The tree chosen for the event was one that was in

20 Revelstoke Bear Aware Final Report much need of pruning and had a history of a bear visiting it in The local resident had asked for assistance from Revelstoke Bear Aware in 2009 as part of The Gleaning Project. Participants in the workshop learned from the City s arborist, Matt McCaw, how to prune fruit trees correctly, tools that are needed, how much a tree can be pruned and the correct timing. Participants were also given the opportunity for hands on experiences in pruning branches themselves. The event was a huge success with 25 participants attending, which was the maximum number the event could successfully host. Revelstoke Bear Aware created a Waiting List for the event, as there was huge interest in the workshop. Figure 21. Fruit Tree Pruning Workshop. Photo: Penny Page-Brittin, 2010 Figure 22. After large branches were removed, bear scratch marks on the main trunk were revealed. Photo: Penny Page-Brittin, 2010

21 Revelstoke Bear Aware Final Report Electric Fencing Workshop On November 11, 2010, Revelstoke Bear Aware organized an Electric Fencing Workshop sponsored by the Columbia Shuswap Regional District. Gillian Sanders from the North Kootenay Lake Bear Smart Program was the guest speaker. This event was attended by 20 people and was gratefully hosted at MacPherson Lodge B&B. The workshop was advertised through posters distributed throughout the community, through an interview on EzRock radio station, and through articles and advertisements in both local papers. This outdoor workshop gave participants hands-on experience installing both portable and permanent electric fences. Gillian recommended different types and models of fences depending upon the needs of participants. Safety, maintenance, and cost were also discussed. Electric fences have been a successful tool to protect livestock, bees, fruit trees, gardens, buildings and campsites from bears. Figure 23. Gillian Sanders discusses different models of electric fences. Photo: Janette Vickers, 2010 Figure 24. Participants learn about keeping bear attractants safe. Photo: Janette Vickers, 2010

22 Revelstoke Bear Aware Final Report The Gleaning Project The Gleaning Project gathers surplus fruits and vegetables from our community, helping to reduce bear attractants. Residents with excess fruit can contact Revelstoke Bear Aware to arrange volunteers to harvest the fruit. The volunteers receive some of the fruit and the remaining fruit is donated to Community Connections Food Bank. The project also invites all residents to donate their extra fruit, berries and vegetables to Community Connections Food Bank. The Bear Hazard map was used to identify hot spot areas of historic bear activity related to fruit. A letter inviting residents to take part in the program was distributed to 50 homes during our door-to-door campaign. The program was advertised through posters distributed throughout the community, through advertisements on the local radio station, and through articles in both local papers. Community Connections Food Bank was pleased to receive 600 pounds of cherries, plums and apples from The Gleaning Project this year. Community Connections Food Bank also saw an increase in the amount of fruit that was being donated outside of The Gleaning Project. All of the volunteers received a Bear Aware Cookbook containing tasty ideas for plums and apples. Volunteers contributed over 48 hours into The Gleaning Project in Volunteers involved and time donated to the program is detailed in the Volunteer section of this report. Figure 25. Natalie Stafl, Volunteer with The Gleaning Project. Photo: Janette Vickers, 2010

23 Revelstoke Bear Aware Final Report Figure 26. The Gleaning Project donated 600lbs. of fruit to Community Connections Food Bank in Photo: Janette Vickers, MEDIA Figure 27. Cartoon from The Revelstoke Current. Don Flipchuck, Newspaper Revelstoke has two newspapers, The Revelstoke Times Review and The Revelstoke Current which are both in print form and online. Both newspapers are very supportive of Revelstoke Bear Aware. A total of 7 articles were published in print in The Revelstoke Times Review and 8 online. A total of 17 articles were published online in The Revelstoke Current, and one in print.

24 Revelstoke Bear Aware Final Report Table 7. Revelstoke Bear Aware Articles, 2010 Newspaper Date Article Revelstoke Times Review- Print March, 2010 Early Spring- Early Bear Season? The Revelstoke Current- Online March 25, 2010 Early Spring- Early Bear Season? The Stoke- Online April, 2010 New To Revelstoke, New to Bears? Revelstoke Times Review- Print May, 2010 A Composter: A Bears Snack Box The Revelstoke Current- Online May 2, 2010 Just What Your Need- A Home Composter The Revelstoke Current- Online May 21, 2010 Have Saw, Can Prune The Revelstoke Current- Online May 24, 2010 CBT Supports Bear Aware The Revelstoke Current- Online May 11, 2010 Urban Chicken Farming: The Next Big Thing? The Revelstoke Current- Online June 2, 2010 An Online Map Now Shows You Where The Bears Are? Revelstoke Times Review July 5, 2010 Bear Aware Hires New Coordinator - Print & Online Revelstoke Times Review July 21, 2010 Rude Awakening For New Bear Aware Coordinator - Print & Online The Revelstoke Current- Online August 3, 2010 Curb-side Recycling Sounds Like It Should Be a No-Brainer. So Why Isn t It? The Revelstoke Current- Online August 13, 2010 Revelstoke Bear Aware s Volunteer of the Month for July- Victoria Leeson The Revelstoke Current-Online August 14, 2010 Revelstoke Pre-Teens are Bear Aware The Revelstoke Current-Online August 15, 2010 New Bear Aware Coordinator Out and About The Revelstoke Current- Online August 21, 2010 Here s Something to Brighten Up Your Drive Home Revelstoke Times Review August 25, 2010 Bear Aware Gleaning Project Is In Full Swing - Print & Online The Revelstoke Current- Online September 10, 2010 Revelstoke Bear Aware s August Volunteer of the Month- Natalie Stafl Revelstoke Times Review-Online September 16, Bear Aware Warns of Imposter Volunteers 2010 The Revelstoke Current- Online September 17, Beware Bogus Bear Aware Volunteers 2010 Revelstoke Times Review September 29, Bear Attractant Rules Grow Teeth - Print & Online 2010 Revelstoke Times Review October 6, 2010 Bear Aware Gets to Garbage Bins Before Bears Can - Print & Online The Revelstoke Current- Online October 31, 2010 Zap Your Bear Problems Away Revelstoke Times Review- Online November 3, 2010 Bear Aware Hosts Electric Fencing Workshop

25 Revelstoke Bear Aware Final Report The Revelstoke Current November 11, Got A Bear Problem? Try an electric fence - Online & Print 2010 The Revelstoke Times Review - Online November 30, 2010 Bear calls way up in 2010, but number destroyed below average The Revelstoke Current- Online November 30, 2010 a year of successes for Bear Aware 2010 The Revelstoke Current- Online December 6, 2010 Bears: think they re all asleep? Nah! In 2010, Revelstoke Bear Aware purchased advertisements in The Times Review, Reved, the City of Revelstoke Recreation Guide, as well as The Revelstoke Current. The Revelstoke Current has a Revelstoke Bear Aware button to link to the Revelstoke Bear Aware website. Table 8. Revelstoke Bear Aware Advertisements, Newspaper Date Advertisement Title The Revelstoke Current- Online Start Date May Revelstoke Bear Aware Button- Link to RBAS Website Revelstoke Times Review- Print May- October We Live In Bear Country! Times Reved- Print Summer 2010 We Live In Bear Country! Reved- Print Fall 2010 We Live In Bear Country! Revelstoke Department of Parks, Recreation and Culture Brochure Fall 2010 We Live In Bear Country! Revelstoke Times Review- Print November 2010 Electric Fencing Workshop Revelstoke Times Review- Print November 2010 Revelstoke Community Calendar- Electric Fencing Workshop Revelstoke Current November 2010 Electric Fencing Workshop 4.2 Radio Four different radio ads were recorded with EzRock Radio in Revelstoke Bear Aware Society purchased 21 spots for the ads and EzRock played the ads an extra 121 times, free of charge. Revelstoke Bear Aware was also interviewed about the Electric Fencing Workshop in November. Advertisement #1: General Bear Aware Message Advertisement #2: Compost Advertisement #3: Fruit Advertisement #4: Garbage

26 Revelstoke Bear Aware Final Report Video The video Staying Safe in Bear Country is available as a free overnight rental from the local video store, The Movie Company. This allowed Revelstoke Bear Aware the ability to direct residents with questions regarding bear safety to the video store. The video was taken out 13 times during Internet The Revelstoke Bear Aware website continues to be a popular source of information receiving visits between January 01, 2010 and December 31, This is a significant decrease from visits in The website was redesigned this year and is updated by a Revelstoke Bear Aware Society director Jackie Morris and the Community Coordinator. Revelstoke Bear Aware created an On-line Bear Sighting Map titled Where the Bears Are- Revelstoke BC on May 25, Updates of bear sightings and complaints are posted bi-weekly. This has proven to be an excellent tool for residents of Revelstoke to learn about recent bear activity. There have been 751 views between May 25, 2010 and December 31, Television Six overlapping advertisements appear on Revelstoke Cable TV advertising channel throughout the bear season. This advertisement runs 15 to 20 times a day between August and November. 5.0 VOLUNTEERS It would not have been possible to deliver the Revelstoke Bear Aware message to so many members of the community without the support from volunteers. This year a total of 200 volunteer hours were given to Revelstoke Bear Aware. The members of the Revelstoke Bear Aware Society volunteer many hours of their time to provided support and guidance to the program. This year, volunteers also helped with The Gleaning Project, door-to-door work as well as garbage tagging. An hourly wage was given to each volunteer activity, to calculate a value of in-kind support. The hourly wage was calculated from the Provincial Bear Aware Volunteer Program schedule (Appendix 3). Table 9. Revelstoke Bear Aware Volunteers, Name Activity Totals Hours Value Total V. Leeson Garbage tagging 2 $15.79 $31.58 Door to door 3 $16.34 $49.02 The Gleaning Project 5.5 $16.00 $88.00 N. Stafl Door to door 3 $16.34 $49.02 The Gleaning Project 5 $16.00 $80.00 T. Kemprund Garbage tagging 2 $15.79 $31.58 The Gleaning Project 2.5 $16.00 $40.00 J. Vickers Garbage tagging 8 $15.79 $ The Gleaning Project 2.5 $16.00 $40.00

27 Revelstoke Bear Aware Final Report H. Vickers The Gleaning Project 2.5 $16.00 $40.00 N. MacLeod The Gleaning Project 2.0 $16.00 $32.00 E. MacLeod The Gleaning Project 2.0 $16.00 $32.00 S. Brittin The Gleaning Project 6.0 $16.00 $96.00 N. Thorpe The Gleaning Project 3.0 $16.00 $48.00 H. Legebokow The Gleaning Project 2.0 $16.00 $32.00 T. Vopni The Gleaning Project 2.0 $16.00 $32.00 E. Stafl The Gleaning Project 3.0 $16.00 $48.00 A. Swartz The Gleaning Project 2.0 $16.00 $32.00 C. Pecora The Gleaning Project 2.0 $16.00 $32.00 M. Morris Meeting, RBAS 2 $19.00 $38.00 N. Overwater Meeting, RBAS 2 $19.00 $38.00 L. Peland Meeting, RBAS 7 $19.00 $ L. Parker Meeting, RBAS 9 $19.00 $ M. Woods Meeting, RBAS 4 $19.00 $76.00 A. Christie Meeting, RBAS 5 $19.00 $95.00 J. Morris Meeting, RBAS 11 $19.00 $ Website 6 $23.48 $ Bookkeeping 20 $16.00 $ B. Gadbois Meeting, RBAS 7 $19.00 $ Councilor Welock Meeting, RBAS 9 $19.00 $ I. Brown Meeting, RBAS 7 $19.00 $ P. Page-Brittin Meeting, RBAS 5 $19.00 $95.00 CMI Presentation 4 $26.70 $ Meeting, CSRD 8 $19.00 $ Meeting, WMSC 2 $19.00 $38.00 The Gleaning Project 6.0 $16.00 $96.00 Ministry of Forests Door-to-door 22 $16.34 $ Garbage Tagging 4 $15.79 $63.16 Totals 200 Hours $ BEAR SMART Bear Smart is a voluntary provincial initiative aimed at encouraging communities to reduce the amount of conflict between people and bears by taking personal responsibility for change. For the City of Revelstoke to become a Bear Smart community it is necessary for individuals, the city, the regional district and the provincial government to work together to address bear attractants in the community. The program focuses on six criteria that communities must complete in order to achieve Bear Smart status. Each of the criteria is listed below with a description of work that has been completed. 1. Prepare a bear hazard assessment of the community and surrounding area: In 2009, the Revelstoke Bear Aware Society with in-kind support from Park s Canada, completed a Bear Hazard Assessment and Bear Hazard Map for Revelstoke and surrounding area. They identified both non-natural and natural wildlife attractants, commonly used wildlife corridors and locations that may have an increased risk for bear encounters.

28 Revelstoke Bear Aware Final Report The Bear Hazard Map will be updated every few years, allowing for a visual image of changes in availability of different attractants to bears over time. 2. Prepare a human-bear conflict management plan that is designed to address the bear hazards and land-use conflicts identified in the Bear Hazard Assessment: In 2009, a Human-Bear Conflict Management Plan was compiled for Revelstoke and the surrounding area. The document lays out recommendations and actions that will mitigate each of the hazards that were identified in the Bear Hazard Assessment, including the group or groups required to carry out the action, a priority rating and, cost and timing required. 3. Revise planning and decision-making documents to be consistent with the human-bear conflict management plan: The Official Community Plan for the City of Revelstoke and the Columbia Shuswap Regional District, Mount Revelstoke National Park Management Plan and the Mount Mackenzie Resort Master Plan all include Bear Smart practices consistent with the Human-Bear Conflict Management Plan. The Regional Solid Waste Management plan was completed and approved in May 2009 and also takes into account Bear Smart practices. 4. Develop and maintain a bear-proof municipal solid waste management system: The Revelstoke Bear Aware Community Coordinator is currently representing Revelstoke Bear Aware, on the Regional Solid Waste Management Plan Monitoring Advisory Committee that was formed in The Community Coordinator is also sitting on the City s Waste Collection Strategy Committee, which has been meeting since November of The mission statement of this committee is To operate a solid waste management system with minimal impact for wildlife and the natural environment, providing a safe and healthy community. One of the committee s strategic initiatives is To become Bear Smart. The Revelstoke Bear Aware Society and Waste Collection Strategy Committee completed a pilot project in 2009, studying the use of bear-resistant residential garbage cans in Johnson Heights, one of the city s mobile home parks. The pilot project was designed to determine the effectiveness of bear resistant bins as a means of creating a bear-resistant waste management system. Specific goals were: 1) To gain information about the use of a lifter on the city s garbage truck throughout winter months. 2) To attain residents opinions about the use of bear-proof cans. 3) To determine the effectiveness at reducing the availability of garbage to bears. The Revelstoke Bear Aware Society and City s Waste Collection Strategy committee presented the results of the pilot project to city council on November 24, They recommended that the bear resistant garbage containers (with the use of the lifter on the city s garbage truck) be implemented throughout the city. It was recommended that there be a phase-in over a number of years time, where residents with limited ability to secure garbage receive the cans first. Currently, the purchase of bear resistant garbage cans for residential use, over a five-year period, is on the 2011 City Budget ($100,000/year). Whether or not City Council adopts this budget item should become clear early next year.

29 Revelstoke Bear Aware Final Report In the Human-Bear Management Plan for Revelstoke, a number of recommendations were made with regards to changing open garbage cans to bear-resistant bins throughout the City. Bins were put in place in In 2010, the City of Revelstoke purchased more bear-resistant bins worth ($25 000). These bins were distributed at city recreation sites. Figure 28 (Left). Open Garbage Cans Across at The Community Centre. Photo: Francis Maltby, 2008 Figure 29 (Right). New Bear-Proof Garbage Cans at Community Centre. Photo: Penny Page-Brittin, Implement Bear Smart bylaws prohibiting the provision of food to bears as a result of intent, neglect, or irresponsible management of attractants: The City s Waste Collection Strategy Committee has made amendments to the existing garbage bylaw to include secure storage of garbage outside of collection day. The City already has a curbside restriction bylaw that was put in place in The committee has also drafted a Wildlife Attractant bylaw that addressed other non-natural attractants identified in the bear hazard assessment. Both bylaws are currently in the City administration office and are expected to go to City Council later this year. 7.0 BARRIERS TO THE PROGRAM The Revelstoke Bear Aware education program has been very well received and supported by the residents of Revelstoke, City of Revelstoke and Columbia Shuswap Regional District. There were not any barriers to the delivery of the program, in part due to the great financial support and in-kind support that was received in Revelstoke Bear Aware relies upon the financial support of our sponsors to achieve our goals and our presence in 2011 depends upon this support. Please see the Acknowledgements section of this report on page 31, for a list of our valued sponsors.

30 Revelstoke Bear Aware Final Report FUTURE OF THE PROGRAM The Bear Aware education program is now completing its 15 th year of operating in Revelstoke and has been very successful in raising resident s awareness of bears and the attractants that bring bears into our community. Over the past few years there have been positive steps made toward achieving the provincial Bear Smart initiative. Bear Aware is needed to advocate for completion of the actions and recommendations in the Human-Bear Conflict Management Plan and completion of the criteria required to become Bear Smart. Currently, the City has budgeted for the purchase of Bear-Saver cans, as well as creating a Bylaw to address Wildlife Attractants. There is a need to continually raise public awareness and garner support for these initiatives. Education of the Bear Aware message continues to be very important. There will be an increase in disturbance to wildlife living on Mount Mackenzie and surrounding area as recreational development continues. Revelstoke Mountain Resort ski hill will be including hiking and mountain biking during the summer months. Education is of utmost importance to ensure that bears do not find attractants, creating a high potential for conflict between people and bears. As the population of Revelstoke changes with an increase in new residents, visitors, and absentee owners, it is important to continually seek out new and innovative ways to reach this segment of the population. Using information from the current Bear Hazard Map (data from ), it is possible to update the map using data from 2009 and This will provide valuable information about the locations that need the Bear Aware message. Although long time Revelstokians have been receiving the Bear Aware message for 15 years and the majority know how to behave in bear country, there are still others that have grown complacent. It is important to continue to educate about the importance of securing attractants. The Bear Aware program has proven to be very successful and needed in our community where there is high potential for conflict between people and bears. The Revelstoke Bear Aware program has been very fortunate in past years to have received funding to allow this work to continue. While the success of the program thus far, and the outlook for continued success in reducing human-bear conflict is bright, there is concern about future funding. Figure 30. Black bear tracks leading to a dumpster. Photo: Janette Vickers, November, 2010.

31 Revelstoke Bear Aware Final Report RECOMMENDATIONS FOR 2011 The Revelstoke Bear Aware Society recommends the following actions for the upcoming year: The Coordinator continues to work with the City on the Waste Collection Strategy committee. The Coordinator continues to educate and gain support for the Bear Smart provincial initiative. The Waste Collection Strategy committee and the City develop a written plan guiding Revelstoke toward a bear proof solid waste management system. The City implements Bear Saver garbage cans throughout the city. If implemented, the Coordinator works with the City to provide education to residents. The City implements a wildlife attractant bylaw and adopts the changes to the city s garbage bylaw; requiring garbage is stored in a secure place outside of collection day. Provided the above bylaws are implemented, the Coordinator works with the City to provide education to the residents regarding the new bylaws. Provided the wildlife attractant bylaw is adopted, the Coordinator works with the City to add existing fruit trees to a GIS map, to allow for better monitoring. The Coordinator provides updates to the Bear Hazard Assessment and Bear Human Conflict Management Plan as an appendix to the annual report. The Coordinator updates the Bear Hazard Map to include 2009 and 2010 data. All new development and subdivisions are required to design for and construct centralized bear proof garbage bins. The Coordinator continues to sit on the Columbia Shuswap Regional District s Solid Waste Management Plan Monitoring Advisory committee. The Coordinator continues to target Bear Aware education to new residents, visitors and black window properties. Revelstoke Bear Aware offers a fruit tree pruning education workshop to residents of Revelstoke and surrounding rural area. The Coordinator continues to work with the Wildfire Interface committee to identify areas within the city that have a high potential for both bear security cover and forest fires. The Coordinator continues to work in conjunction with the Community Connections Food Bank to expand the Gleaning Project.

32 Revelstoke Bear Aware Final Report Revelstoke Bear Aware continues to foster a good relationship with the resort development team and work to make the development wildlife proof in terms of solid waste, recycling and other wildlife attractants. Provided a written plan is in place to guide Revelstoke toward a bear proof solid waste system and the above mentioned bylaws are implemented, Revelstoke Bear Aware and the City apply to the province to be granted Bear Smart status. The Bear Management Committee, the City and the Coordinator continue to lobby the provincial government for long term program funding to provide for sustainability.

33 Revelstoke Bear Aware Final Report ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The Revelstoke Bear Aware Society would like to express gratitude to the following organizations for the financial contributions made to Revelstoke Bear Aware in 2010: The British Columbia Conservation Foundation for providing funding for the Revelstoke Bear Aware Community Coordinator s salary from May 10 to November 30, The Columbia Basin Trust, Community Initiatives Program, for providing funding toward the Revelstoke Bear Aware program in Shell Environment Fund for providing funding toward the Revelstoke Bear Aware program in Shell Environment Fund CP Rail for providing funding toward the Revelstoke Bear Aware program in 2010.

34 Revelstoke Bear Aware Final Report Revelstoke Community Foundation for providing funding toward the Bear Aware program in Revelstoke Bear Aware would like to express gratitude to the following individuals and organizations for valuable in-kind support provided to the program: BC Ministry of Environment BC Ministry of Forests Bresco Industries City of Revelstoke Columbia Basin Trust Columbia Shuswap Regional District Conservation Officer Service EZ Rock Radio Parks Canada Reved newspaper Revelstoke Times Review Revelstoke Current Revelstoke Cable TV The Movie Company Volunteers and Community Contributions: Park s Canada for providing board room meeting space, printing, and also providing advise and expertise; City of Revelstoke for the Fruit Tree Pruning workshop presentation by City Arborist Matt McCaw; MacPherson Lodge B&B for hosting our Electric Fencing Workshop; The Okanagan College for providing the funds for the Bear Aware Coordinator to attend a web design course; Local Compliance and Enforcement Officers from the Ministry of Forests Gerald Hills, Melanie Watt, Brad Faucett for valued door-to-door education campaigning. Local volunteers, listed in volunteer section of report; Revelstoke city council representative Phil Welock for sitting on the Revelstoke Bear Management committee; Conservation Officer Adam Christie and the local RCMP;

35 Revelstoke Bear Aware Final Report Community Connections Food Bank for their continuous support of The Gleaning Project ; Columbia Mountains Institute for inviting Revelstoke Bear Aware to present at the Human Dimensions of Natural Resources Conference; Concerned citizens for their input, ideas, calls and s of support and reports of bear movements; Residents that are properly managing bear attractants on their properties; Mt. Begbie, Arrow Heights, Mountain View and Columbia Park Elementary Schools; Tim Luini, Darren Komonoski, Brian Mallet, Gail Ferguson, John Guenther, Jessica Stuart, city Planning Department, Public Works and city staff for their support, help and input; Rob Girard, Cindy Pearce and the Community Wildland Fire Protection Committee; Community Connections, Visitor Info centre staff, Welcome Wagon, for helping in spreading the message; The Friends of Mount Revelstoke and Glacier National Park, and the North Columbia Environmental Society for their continued support; The City s Waste Collection Strategy Committee and Public Works for their help with implementing the Bear Resistant garbage can pilot project; Darcy Mooney, and Carmen Fennel from the Columbia Shuswap Region Solid Waste Management Department; Revelstoke Okanagan Regional Library for their support; The BC Conservation Foundation, for its continued efforts and support of Bear Aware programs throughout the province; Previous Bear Aware Coordinators in Revelstoke: Karen Bennett, Debby Robinson, Francis Maltby, Paula Couturier, Todd Arthurs, Steve Kent, Abby Pond, and Penny-Page Brittin; Current Bear Aware Program Coordinators throughout BC for their ideas, support, and hard work throughout the year. Kendra Wiberg, Joanne Siderius, Shalan Eppinger and Barb Waters for their continuing help and support; Revelstoke Bear Aware Society 2010 members Loni Parker, Jackie Morris, Brian Gadbois, Phil Welock, Nadine Overwater, Ian Brown, Adam Christie, Marcia Woods, Louis Pelland, and Penny Page-Brittin; The Revelstoke Bear Aware Society for their confidence, support, and valuable input.

36 Revelstoke Bear Aware Final Report Appendix 1.0 Letters of Support

37 Revelstoke Bear Aware Final Report

38 Revelstoke Bear Aware Final Report November 3, 2010 Bear Aware Society Box 674 Revelstoke, BC V0E 2S0 To Whom It May Concern: I am pleased to provide this letter of support to the Bear Aware Society. The Bear Aware Society has worked together with Community Connections Food Bank in past years on The Gleaning Project. This program has become a very valuable asset to our Food Bank and encourages community members to contact Bear Aware or the Food Bank to collect and gather surplus fruit and produce from community members. This valuable program has greatly enhanced the quality and quantity of fresh food that we can provide in our food hampers and was much appreciated by everyone. This past season we were very fortunate to receive approximately 510 pounds of fresh produce including apples and pears. During August Janette was also responsible for attending two of our pre-teen summer camps and presented information on this program and provided activities for all the youth. During this past season we have seen an increase in the number of community members participating with The Gleaning Project either in partnership with Bear Aware or simply by making their donations in person at the Food Bank. I look forward to working with the Bear Aware Society in the future and will be pleased to participate in collaborative efforts. Sincerely, Patti Larson Program Manager Outreach Services Community Connections

39 Revelstoke Bear Aware Final Report Dear Janette Vickers and Revelstoke Bear Aware, Thank you for speaking to my Science 10 class about bears and bear issues in the Revelstoke area. The content you delivered fit nicely with the Learning Outcomes of the Science 10 course, particularly the Sustainable Ecosystems section. The information you presented about bear ecology allowed my students to apply the language and concepts they have been learning about in a local context. They will internalize this material much more effectively when they can relate it to their personal experiences. Although they work from a quality textbook, nothing really compares to seeing these ideas at work in their own surroundings. The visual aids and style of presentation was engaging and interesting for them, and I feel lucky that my students have the learning opportunity that you provide, Thanks again, Graham Gale Teacher, Revelstoke Secondary School School District #19

40 Revelstoke Bear Aware Final Report November 8, 2010 Janette Vickers, Coordinator Revelstoke Bear Aware Society Revelstoke BC Dear Janette, The Human Dimensions of Natural Resource Management conference held in Revelstoke on October 6-7, 2010, featured presentations on how consideration of social behaviors and cultural values can improve natural resource management in our region. Our event included nineteen presentations, ten posters, and three field trips, as well as informal opportunities for information exchange. The fifty participants reported that the conference was a success. Thank you very much for preparing this field trip, and for making last minute arrangements so that the previous Bear Aware Coordinator, Penny Page-Brittin, could lead the trip when you became ill. Revelstoke has been a pioneer in developing bear awareness within a small town, and field trip participants took many ideas back to their communities. On behalf of the Columbia Mountains Institute of Applied Ecology, I thank the you, Penny, and the Revelstoke Bear Aware Society for hosting this field trip. Sincerely, Jackie Morris Executive Director Columbia Mountains Institute

41 Revelstoke Bear Aware Final Report Appendix 2.0 Newspaper Articles and Media Releases

42 Revelstoke Bear Aware Final Report New to Revelstoke, New to Bears? April, 2010 The Stoke Are you hoping to see a bear? Do you think they are cute and cuddly? Are you new to town? Maybe new to Canada? Bears are beautiful creatures, but they are wild animals that can be very dangerous. They deserve our respect. If you see a bear, DON T feed it, DON T approach the bear and DON T take the time to find your camera to take a picture. Bears are fast, and can move up to 50 km/h. An Olympic sprinter at top speed will hit 43 km/h. A bear can go from being far away to way too close in an instant. The bear you are looking at may not be alone. You may be standing between a mother bear and her cubs. You may be threatening a food source, or have startled the bear. What will the bear do? Don t stick around to find out! Stop what you are doing. Without making eye contact, back away slowly, talking to the bear in a calm, quiet voice. For more information on What to do if you see a bear, view Staying Safe in Bear Country a free over night rental available at Video Express. Yes, you are now living in or visiting Bear Country. Revelstoke is surrounded by prime black and grizzly bear habitat with wildlife corridors passing though town. Chances are you will see a bear at some point. We expect to see bears around, but it is of utmost importance to the safety of our community and well being of the bears, that when bears visit our neighbourhoods and properties they do not find food. They will then continue on their way and remain healthy bears. Please take the time to survey your neighborhood and property for bear and other wildlife attractants. Ensure your garbage is securely stored inside a locked, secure building until garbage day. Know when garbage day is in your part of town; schedules are available at public works and at Bring in bird feeders. There is plenty of natural food available for birds at this time. Ensure that you are managing your compost, by layering, and turning on a regular basis. If your compost starts to smell, use lime to stop the odor. Clean your barbeque thoroughly after each use by burning off any excess food or grease. Ensure bears do not have access to livestock feed or pet food on your property. In the fall ensure your fruit trees are picked and any windfall is cleaned up. When bears learn there is a tasty treat in a garbage can, dumpster, at a fruit tree or birdfeeder, they will return and continue to feed there. We have chosen to live in bear country, with this choice comes a responsibility to ensure peaceful coexistence. By managing bear attractants we help to keep our community clean and safe and avoid the unnecessary destruction of bears. If you are aware of new residence or neighbours that are not familiar with their responsibility living in bear country please refer them to Revelstoke Bear Aware or ask them to visit our website shown at the bottom.

43 Revelstoke Bear Aware Final Report If you see a bear in your neighbourhood call the provincial wildlife occurrence phone line or the Revelstoke Bear Aware phone line By failing to report a bear sighting or problem, you are contributing to the likelihood of that bear being destroyed. When reported, education can occur, attractants can be removed and the bear given a chance to move on. If you have any questions or concerns contact Revelstoke Bear Aware at , beaware@telus.net or visit our website at Penny Page-Brittin Revelstoke Bear Aware Coordinator

44 Revelstoke Bear Aware Final Report A Composter, A Bear s Snack Box? May, 2010 Revelstoke Times Review Composting has become more popular in recent years, with many residents establishing backyard composters. Composting is a very important way to recycle and can reduce the amount of household garbage by about a third, reducing organic waste from entering the landfill and instead creating a rich humus material to add back to your garden or flowerbed. It s a win-win situation, provided it is done correctly. By this, I mean we must also consider where we live and ensure we are composting so as not to attract bears. A composter that is managed correctly should not smell and not attract bears. Don t let your composter become a bear s snack box! Understanding what composting is, and how it works, helps us to understand how to make changes to our composter to ensue that is working properly. Composting is a natural process where organic material is converted into a soil-like product called compost or humus. The process works with the help of microorganisms such as bacteria and fungi, in the presence of adequate air and the right level of moisture. When getting started, place your composter in a well-drained area which is convenient to use. Don t place it near your door or in a hidden place in your garden. If a bear does come to visit, you don t want to walk out a door or around a corner and surprise a feeding bear. Also, avoid putting your composter at a forest edge or along an active wildlife corridor. Identified wildlife corridors can be seen on the Revelstoke Bear Hazard Map at Never add meat, fish, dairy products, oil or cooked food. If you want to add egg shells ensure that you have rinsed them first. It is also important not to add large amounts of fruit at any one time. These items will attract bears and other animals long before they decompose. Items that are added to a composter are divided into two categories: green material and brown material. Green materials are nitrogen rich and include fresh grass clippings, plant trimmings, and fruit and vegetable scraps. Brown materials are rich in carbon and include dried grass clippings, fallen leaves, paper towels and some cardboards. To create a healthy composter it is important to add equal portions of both browns and greens. It is best to do this by layering the two. By allowing grass clippings to dry in the sun for a few days, they can be used as a brown layer over kitchen greens. For more information on green and brown materials visit and click on documents. Your compost mixture should be moist, like that of a wrung-out sponge. If the contents are too dry, it will take overly long to decompose and if too wet, it may begin to smell. If this happens add a small amount of lime to reduce the odor. Composting is an aerobic process. The micro organisms and fungi at work require oxygen to break down the organic material. To ensure the mixture is well aerated, mix or turn your compost every couple of weeks. You don t want to mix all of the material, but just ensure that some oxygen is getting into the composter contents. You can puncture the contents with a shovel or pitchfork, or purchase a small auger tool that can be used to create a hole to allow oxygen in. Compost with extra care during the fall when bears are most actively searching for food. Avoid adding large amounts of kitchen scraps and fruit at this time. While some of these steps may seem onerous and time consuming, they really don t take much time once your composter is set up and working. The big pay-off comes each fall when you get free, rich compost to add to your garden, flowerbeds or top-dress your lawn. Your vegetables, flowers and grass will love you for it! For more information on Bear Aware composting and other bear attractants that may bring a bear to your property, please visit or call Penny Page-Brittin, Revelstoke Bear Aware Coordinator

45 Revelstoke Bear Aware Final Report May 2010 Revelstoke Current

46 Revelstoke Bear Aware Final Report June 2010 Revelstoke Current

47 Revelstoke Bear Aware Final Report July 2010 Revelstoke Times Review The Bear Buzz By Janette Vickers, Revelstoke Bear Aware Community Coordinator Bear Aware s mission is to reduce the number of bear-human conflicts in communities through education, innovation and cooperation. I awoke with a start the other morning to my husband calling out Hey! New Bear Aware Lady, come and see the bear eating garbage across the street! I jumped out of bed, grabbed our camera, and witnessed a black bear tearing apart our neighbor s garbage. It was garbage day, and my husband was just about to roll our garbage onto the street. As we opened our front door, the bear startled and left the garbage alone, but not before I got a couple of pictures and a potent reminder that we are certainly living in bear country! I started working for Revelstoke Bear Aware in the middle of June, and I have been living and breathing bears ever since. I have been learning as much as I can about bear-human conflict and the implications of the choices we make both as individuals and as a community. For the last few weeks I have been receiving phone calls and listening to the experiences people have had with bears. Many people have their own Bear Story to tell and are concerned about bear-human safety as well as damage to their property. I have been learning about the insatiable appetites of bears. They require large quantities of food to sustain themselves and are natural scavengers. Bears will remember an easy source of food and will keep returning if the food source is still there. Habituation occurs when a bear encounters humans and does not experience any negative results from that encounter. Eating food provided by humans renders a bear food-conditioned. Anything people eat, bears love to eat as well! By doing things such as storing your garbage properly, picking your fruit trees, feeding your pets inside, bringing in your bird feeders and cleaning your barbeques, bears have less of a reason to come into your yard. The bear I saw eating garbage that morning quickly left our area, and as I was helping my neighbor clean up the mess, I was reminded that even with the best intentions of managing bear attractants, we are vulnerable to bear-human conflict. Looking down our street, all I could see was the opportunity for bears to have an easy meal on garbage day. I realized that for Revelstoke to become a Bear Smart Community, we have a lot of work ahead of us. So far this season, we have had over 30 black bear sightings reported and one black bear has been destroyed due to bear attractants such as garbage. It is of utmost importance to the safety of our community and the well being of bears that when bears visit our neighborhoods they do not find food. BEAR- PROOF YOUR GARBAGE * Store garbage in a secure garage or shed. Garbage is not safe from a bear in a carport, on a deck, or near a house. * Garbage should be put out between 6:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. on the day of pick up (Garbage Collection Bylaw No. 1759) * Know when garbage day is in your part of town: schedules are available at Public Works and at

48 Revelstoke Bear Aware Final Report To report bear sightings or problems please contact Bear Aware at , beaware@telus.net or call the RAPP Please visit our website to learn more about becoming a Bear Smart Community at You will see Bear Aware at the following events: * The Gleaning Project. Food goes to Community Connections Food Bank * Community Connections Summer Pre-Teen Camp * Stepping Stones Summer Camp * Farmers Market Bear Fact: Bears boast one of the best noses in the animal kingdom, which helps them find the calories they need each day. Bears can smell garbage up to a kilometre away!

49 Revelstoke Bear Aware Final Report August 2010 Revelstoke Current

50 Revelstoke Bear Aware Final Report August 2010 Revelstoke Current

51 Revelstoke Bear Aware Final Report August 2010 Revelstoke Times Review

52 Revelstoke Bear Aware Final Report September 2010 Revelstoke Current

53 Revelstoke Bear Aware Final Report September 2010 Revelstoke Times Review

54 Revelstoke Bear Aware Final Report October 2010 Revelstoke Times Review

55 Revelstoke Bear Aware Final Report October 2010 Revelstoke Current