The District of Squamish has secured wildlife coordination experts Humane Solutions to provide wildlife services for Squamish, including wildlife education and community engagement with a focus on reducing human-wildlife conflicts. The Humane Solutions team will work closely with both the District and the B.C. Conservation Officer Service to identify wildlife hotspots, coordinate public communication and support, and implement the District’s Bear Smart initiatives across the community.
“Because of our location, Squamish’s relationship with wildlife is a delicate one that requires our ongoing attention and stewardship,” says District of Squamish Mayor Karen Elliott. “We want wildlife to stay wild, so it is imperative that we all do our part. Humane Solutions will take up the critical role to educate residents in order to mitigate and limit wildlife interactions. Our goals are twofold – to safely co-exist with wildlife whether out on the trails or within our neighbourhoods, and to protect the species that live here.”
Squamish ranks among the top 10 communities in B.C. for black bear reports to the Conservation Officer Service. Unsecured wildlife attractants continue to be the leading cause of bear conflict in the community. These predominantly include garbage, organics and fruit trees. Although the District’s wildlife attractant management bylaw is an important element, education continues to be a key component of the District’s efforts to reduce human-wildlife conflicts.
“Education, innovation and collaboration are critical to mitigating human-wildlife conflict and our team is committed to maintaining industry best practices while also focusing on sustainability and welfare,” says Humane Solutions Chief Operating Officer Emma Harris. “We look forward to engaging with residents and stakeholders across the community of Squamish.”
Humane Solutions will complement their coordination and education efforts through their services to Squamish which include:
Preparation and maintenance of a bear hazard assessment of the community and a human-bear conflict management plan;
Implementation of a continuing education program directed at all sectors of the community, consistent with the Bear Smart program and wildlife attractant bylaw.
Assistance with the development and maintenance of a bear-proof waste management system.
Coordination of communication strategies for wildlife conflict prevention and known conflict hotspots.
Short-term efforts will focus on bear awareness and education while maintaining the District’s Bear Smart status, while long-term efforts will focus on developing human-wildlife conflict and co-existence strategies. The team is expected to begin educational outreach with elementary schools on living with wildlife before the end of this school year.
Reduction in tote damage from wildlife
In an effort to resolve Squamish’s ongoing issue with unsecured wildlife attractants, curbside collection schedules for garbage and organics were adjusted in spring 2021 to mitigate bear access. This effort contributed to a significant decrease in tote repairs due to damage caused by wildlife.
“It continues to be our collective responsibility to encourage bears to pass through our neighbourhoods, which they will do if they cannot obtain food rewards in our yards and on our streets,” continues Elliott. “I am optimistic that we can significantly move the dial on resident education this summer to achieve this important goal.”
As bear sightings have already begun for 2022, there are four simple rules to follow:
Keep totes locked and stored away. Bears are biologically driven to seek food, and many totes have been damaged as a result. Store totes inside a shed or garage if possible. If your tote or lock has been broken or damaged by wildlife, contact GFL for a free repair at 604.892.5604 or squamishtotes@gflenv.com;
Ensure a bear feels unwelcome if you encounter a bear on your property. From a safe area shout, yell, clap your hands or use an air horn to encourage the bear to move on. Having a neighbourhood bear is not a good thing.
Reduce odours by freezing odorous food scraps and rinsing all recycling before putting them in the tote.
Keep bird feeders containing bird feed, suet or nectar suspended on a cable or other device in such a manner that it is inaccessible to wildlife, other than birds; and the area below any bird feeding devices or activity is kept free of accumulations of seeds and similar wildlife attractants.
Remove attractants on your property, including fruit from trees. Please harvest fruit and allow it to ripen indoors, prune trees to a manageable size and consider a temporary, portable electric fence to protect your harvest.
Report a concern:
For Wildlife Attractant Bylaw concerns, please contact Bylaw Department at 604.815.5067 or bylaw@squamish.ca.
For wildlife sightings or encounters, please contact the 24/7 Conservation Officer Service hotline at 1.877.952.7277, or if the situation is not urgent, reports can also be made using the online form at: Report All Poachers and Polluters (RAPP) – Environmental Protection & Sustainability Forms (gov.bc.ca) (choose ‘wildlife’).
The District extends its appreciation to everyone who is championing bear smart practices within their neighbourhoods. Every effort makes a difference.