We are all very fortunate to be living in a community that takes such a proactive approach to reducing conflicts between humans and wildlife.
For the past seven years, our elected officials have supported the Bear Aware Program and the Bear Smart initiatives that guide the program. For the past seven years, our schools and community groups have requested presentations and information booths and the residents of our community have made adjustments to their daily routines to mitigate conflicts.
All of these measures have contributed to an overall reduction in the rate and intensity of conflicts within our community; these measures have also provided for a safer and cleaner environment while reducing the number of bears needlessly killed each year.
Bear sightings for 2011 are pretty much on par with recent years; only time and weather will tell if we can expect a busy fall. If the fall berry crop fails, we can expect bears to stay in the valley looking for alternative food sources.
With all of the recent cougar activity it's easy to get a little complacent about the bears; many people are saying that they're not as concerned about the bears as they are about the cougars. The bottom line is that we don't want to attract wildlife, bears or cougars, into our yards.
We all know that we need to ensure that our garbage totes are locked, but did you know that scattered bird seed or peanuts can attract rodents, which can then be preyed upon by larger predators such as coyotes and cougars? Poorly managed composts can also attract rodents and feeding pets outdoors can also be an invitation for predators to pay a visit.
We are a Bear Smart certified community and we continue to work toward reducing the attractants that bring wildlife into our neighbourhoods.
Meg Toom is Squamish's Bear Aware Co-ordinator. For information on how you can be Bear Aware: www.bearaware.bc.ca or for information on how you can be cougar aware, follow the wildlife conflict prevention link at: www.env.gov.bc.ca/cos/
