Spring has sprung and the local bear population is feasting.
Pacific RimB次元官网网址檚 WildSafeBC coordinator Bob Hansen is urging residents to help keep those bears noshing on natural food sources by keeping their attractants, like garbage, pet food and composts, secured.
B次元官网网址淓arly in the spring, thereB次元官网网址檚 such a flush of green vegetation that the bears hit really hard. ThereB次元官网网址檚 an opportunity right now, theyB次元官网网址檙e very focused on natural foods and we want to keep that going through the rest of the season and not tempt them into conflict in our communities,B次元官网网址� Hansen told the Westerly B次元官网网址. B次元官网网址淭hereB次元官网网址檚 just such an abundance of that springtime green-up that they really gravitate to. Bears are active in our communities and in all of those areas where we like to get outdoors and play, so that means we really need to start off strong this spring and ensure that it stays that way: bears foraging on natural foods and not being tempted towards unnatural attractants in our backyards.B次元官网网址�
Hansen is heading into his fourth year of helming the WildSafeBC Pacific Rim program in Tofino and Ucluelet and was thrilled to be joined by new coordinator Marianne Paquette last year who was brought in to launch the first-ever WildSafeBC Hitacu-Macoah program.
B次元官网网址淲e had some great successes with a lot of communities and were able to really build relationships for this year,B次元官网网址� Paquette told the Westerly. B次元官网网址淲e want to keep wildlife wild and make sure that we can keep coexisting, so we want to promote coexistence through community solutions and education throughout the seasonB次元官网网址ducation is such a great way to bring this message forward because people might just not be aware of certain ways they can secure their attractants and thatB次元官网网址檚 what weB次元官网网址檙e here for, to bring those solutions out and make sure we can reduce conflicts.B次元官网网址�
Both Hansen and Paquette have relaunched their annual garbage bin tagging programs in an effort to remind residents that garbage must never be put outside before the morning of pickup and are preparing to roll out a variety of initiatives this year, including a new WildSafeBC business pledge program.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 a great way to engage and really work closely with local businesses,B次元官网网址� Hansen said. B次元官网网址淭here are any number of businesses that really demonstrate their strong commitment to looking after the West Coast and the environment of the West Coast including the wildlife.B次元官网网址�
A workshop is also being scheduled to help bring local campground owners up to speed on the BARE campsite program.
B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e hoping to make these businesses and campgrounds safe for communities, wildlife and also their guests that are visiting,B次元官网网址� Paquette said.
Hansen noted the region experienced an B次元官网网址渋ntenseB次元官网网址� tourist season last summer and he expects similar activity this year, depending on the state of the coronavirus pandemic.
B次元官网网址淟ast year we really saw a dramatic response when COVID-19 travel restrictions were eased. All our communities saw that,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淓veryone wanted to come here and enjoy the outdoors. This year, I think itB次元官网网址檚 reasonable to expect weB次元官网网址檒l see something similar.B次元官网网址�
He said heB次元官网网址檚 been reaching out to partners about reaching out to visitors before they arrive about how to be respectful and help protect wildlife when theyB次元官网网址檙e here.
B次元官网网址淭hereB次元官网网址檚 already a lot of great outreach going on, we just want to add to those efforts and hopefully avoid some of the challenges we saw with that intense visitation last year,B次元官网网址� he said.
Anyone looking for more information about WildSafeBC, including information about funding support for electric fencing around storage sheds and chicken coops, is encouraged to reach out to Hansen or Paquette.
Hansen can be reached at pacrim@wildsafebc.com,
Paquette can be reached at hitacu-macoah@wildsafebc.com,
Anyone who spots a predator in town is urged to report their sighting to the BC Conservation Officer Service at
andrew.bailey@westerlynews.ca
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