Revelstoke Bear Aware Society

Revelstoke Bear Aware Society has now completed the 2011 Annual Report.

The annual report describes the activities and initiatives of the Revelstoke Bear Aware Society from January 1, 2011 to December 31, 2011 and provides:

-        A description of current human-bear conflict.

-        Accountability to the community and financial contributors.

-        A record for the Revelstoke Bear Aware Society.

The focus of Revelstoke Bear Aware in 2011 was twofold: to continue working towards attaining Provincial Bear Smart status in Revelstoke, and to continue our diverse education outreach programs to reduce human-bear conflicts and educate the community about reducing bear attractants.

2011 was a busy year for Revelstoke Bear Aware. There were 212 reports concerning black bears and 9 reports concerning grizzly bears, totalling 221 reports, made to the RAPP Line and Revelstoke Bear Aware. Ten black bears were destroyed in 2011 and one black bear was relocated.

Garbage continues to be the number one attractant for bears, followed secondly by fruit trees.  Compost, livestock, pet food, outdoor freezers and fridges, birdfeeders, BBQ’s, beehives and vegetable gardens also continue to be bear attractants.

Revelstoke Bear Aware delivered 32 Bear Aware presentations, attended 8 public events and festivals, and presented at 4 workshops. Through these events we reached a total 2, 452 people.

Revelstoke Bear Aware handed out 130 Garbage Tags and visited 52 residences in door-to-door visits.

With in-kind support from Parks Canada, three new maps were created for Revelstoke Bear Aware including the Google Earth Map, Bear Hazard Map (2009-2010), Garbage Bear Map (2005-2010).

There were 2 941 visits to the Revelstoke Bear Aware website and 1 178 page views on the new Google Earth Map.

Seventeen residents with fruit trees contacted Revelstoke Bear Aware in 2011 to take part in The Gleaning Project. A total of 1 320 pounds of produce was donated to various agencies and community groups in 2011.  Community Connections Food Bank was pleased to receive 920 pounds of cherries, plums, pears, apples and grapes from The Gleaning Project.  Volunteers contributed over 84 hours into The Gleaning Project in 2011.

Revelstoke Bear Aware issued 4 press releases in 2011 as well as one public advisory.

It would not have been possible to deliver the Revelstoke Bear Aware program to so many members of the community without the support from volunteers.  This year a total of 307 volunteer hours were given to Revelstoke Bear Aware.

Revelstoke Bear Aware has been working with Parks Canada to develop two new maps for the City of Revelstoke and surrounding area.

2009-2010 Bear Hazard Map

A new 2009-2010 Bear Hazard Map has been made, which includes reported bear sightings and associated bear attractants (garbage, fruit trees, livestock, birdfeeders, grain, pet food) as well as destroyed bears.  This map provides residents valuable information about bear activity in our community.  The previous Bear Hazard Map included data from 2005 to 2008.  Bear sightings that are reported to the Provincial RAPP Line (1-877-952-7277) as well as sightings reported directly to Revelstoke Bear Aware are included in the map.

Download the 2009-2010 Bear Hazard Map here (4.6 MB JPG file, July 2011)

2005-2010 Garbage Bear Map

The “Map of Reported Sightings of Bears in Garbage in the City of Revelstoke from 2005 thru 2010” was created to assist the Waste Collection Strategy committee in determining the location of reported bears in garbage only and identifies areas with high potential for human-bear conflict. The map will assist the City’s Waste Collection Strategy committee in determining areas to place Bear-Proof Garbage Cans.  Many of the areas highlighted on the map are in mobile home parks or in areas near “commonly used bear travel corridors.”

Download the 2005-2010 Garbage Bear Map here (4.6 MB JPG file, July 2011)

Revelstoke Bear Aware would like to thank Ron Larsen with Parks Canada for all his work in creating these maps!

Bear Aware has been working on a “Garbage Tagging” campaign to remind residents that The City of Revelstoke Garbage Collection Bylaw No. 1759 states that standard garbage containers shall be placed on the street only between the hours of 6:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. on the day of collection. While most residents adhere to the Bylaw, many people are putting garbage on the curb the night before pickup. Revelstoke Beare Aware is “Garbage Tagging” these bins with a bright yellow “Bear Attractant” sticker as a friendly reminder to adhere to the Bylaw. Bear Aware is urging people to store garbage in a secure garage or shed, as garbage is not safe from a bear in a carport or on a deck.

Revelstoke Bear Aware would like to thank the Ministry of Forest and Range’s Compliance Officers for their support of the Spring Garbage Tagging Campaign!

Revelstoke Bear Aware has been conducting a Garbage Tagging Campaign this May and June to educate residents about properly storing garbage and reminding redsidents about placing garbage on the curb the day of pick up.

Revelstoke Bear Aware has also been going “Door-to-Door” to let residents know about Bear-Proofing homes. Learning how to keep bears out of our neighbourhood by managing food attractants will prevent the destruction of bears. We are asking residents to store garbage properly, pick fruit trees, feed pets inside, bring in bird feeders, and clean barbeques. 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.

Garbage Bear in search of food. Photo: Janette Vickers 2010

Revelstoke Bear Aware is pleased to have a new public display!

New Display as seen at the Fair Trade Festival on May 14, 2001

Our new display board!

Revelstoke Bear Aware Announces a New Google Earth Map to View Bear Sightings in Revelstoke

Revelstoke Bear Aware Community Coordinator Janette Vickers has been working with Ron Larsen and Jeff Bolingbroke at Parks Canada to create a Google Earth Map to view bear sightings on the Revelstoke Bear Aware website, www.revelstokebearaware.org. The Google Earth Map is an interactive tool for residents to view bear sightings and associated bear attractants in our community. Currently, the map includes reported bear sightings for 2009, 2010 and our first bear sighting of 2011 on April 23rd.

Residents are asked to report bear sightings to the Provincial RAPP Line (Conservation Officer Service) and many residents also report bear sightings to Revelstoke Bear Aware. When reporting a bear sighting, residents are asked to provide specific information including the location of the bear, if it is a black bear or a grizzly bear, a description bears activities, and any noted bear attractants such as garbage, fruit, livestock, birdseed, or compost. Revelstoke Bear Aware documents bears sightings and associated bear attractants and then updates this information on the Google Earth Map. The reported bear sightings also add to our knowledge base, which allows Revelstoke Bear Aware to direct public education initiatives. By reporting bear activity, attractants that bring bears into our community can be identified and removed. If bear attractants are removed early it can prevent bears from becoming habituated, food conditioned and decreases the potential of a public safety hazard.

Black Bear In Search Of Food. Photo:Noleen Mostert

With warmer weather and spring upon us, bears have left their dens to begin their search for food. Now is the time to be proactive in removing bear attractants in our community. Bear attractants that need to be managed include:

1. Garbage: Store garbage in a secure place between garbage pick-ups and do not put garbage out the night before garbage day.
2. Fruit:  Although fruit is not a concern at this time, it is a good time to think about pruning fruit trees. Prune to reduce fruit this season, or to make fruit more accessible for picking
3. Livestock: Store livestock feed indoors and consider electric fencing.
4. Compost: For many people, compost has been sitting throughout the winter. It is time to turn it over and prevent smells.
5. Birdfeeders:  There is now plenty of natural food available for birds and it is time to bring birdfeeders in until next winter.
6. BBQ grills:  After using a BBQ, burn off any excess food that remains on the grill.
7. Pet food:  Bring food dishes inside and store pet food indoors.

Contact Revelstoke Bear Aware at 250-837-8624 or beaware@telus.net. To learn more about becoming a Bear Smart Community, for more information on how to manage bear attractants, and to view the new Google Earth Map, visit www.revelstokebearaware.org. To report bear sightings or problem bears please call the RAPP Line at 1-877-7277.

Revelstoke Bear Aware gratefully acknowledges the financial support of the Columbia Basin Trust, a regional corporation created to deliver social, economic and environmental benefits to the residents of the Columbia Basin.  Revelstoke Bear Aware also appreciates the ongoing in-kind support from Parks Canada and for the creation of the Google Earth Map.

2010 was a very busy year for bears in and around Revelstoke, with sightings reported in every neighborhood. There were a total of 212 calls made to the Provincial Problem Wildlife phone line and to the Revelstoke Bear Aware phone line, compared with 42 calls in 2009. All of the calls and reports made this year were concerning black bears. Revelstoke Bear Aware encourages reporting of all bear sightings to determine where to focus the Bear Aware message.

Five black bears were destroyed this year as a result of conflict with people. All were black bears that were habituated and food-conditioned to garbage, fruit trees or livestock. Although it would be preferable not to have any bears destroyed, five is less than the average of 7 per year since the Revelstoke Bear Aware began in 1996. The top bear attractants in 2010 were garbage (64%), fruit trees (18%), livestock (5%), followed by pet food, outdoor freezers and fridges, compost, birdfeeders, and vegetable gardens.

Revelstoke Bear Aware had many successes in 2010:

• Fruit Tree Pruning Workshop: In May, participants learned about fruit tree pruning from The City of Revelstoke’s Arborist.
• Google Map: Residents can view an updated “Where The Bears Are” google map to see recent bear sightings.
• The Gleaning Project:  This initiative saw many volunteers picking fruit to decrease bear attractants as well as donating fruit to Community Connections Food Bank.  About 600 pounds of fruit was donated this year.
• City bear-proof garbage bins: Open garbage cans were replaced at many City recreation sites this year.
• Festivals and Community Events: Bear Aware attended many local events and festivals this year including the Fair Trade Festival, Chickadee Festival, Parks Day, and our Saturday Market.
• Presentations: The Bear Aware presented to summer camps, preschools as well as school groups.
• Door-to-Door: Bear Aware teamed up with Ministry of Forests to conduct a door-to-door education campaign.  Over 800 residents were contacted, mostly in the South Revelstoke Area.
• Garbage Tagging: Residents who put garbage cans on the curb the nights before pick up may have had a “Bear Attractant” sticker placed on their garbage cans to remind them to store garbage properly.
• Electric Fencing Workshop: In November, participants learned how to safely set up permanent and temporary electric fences in bear country.

Revelstoke Bear Aware would like to thank Columbia Basin Trust, British Columbia Conservation Foundation, British Columbia Conservation Corps, Shell Environment Fund, Canadian Pacific, and Revelstoke Community Foundation for the funding they provided. Thank you to Parks Canada, the Conservation Officer Service, The Ministry of Forests, and the City of Revelstoke for their valuable support. Also, thank you to our local media for their continued support in communicating the Bear Aware message to residents of Revelstoke. Finally, a big thanks to the many volunteers that made this year’s program so successful.

Although the bears are heading into their winter dens, Revelstoke Bear Aware will continue to work through the winter months. At this time of year the annual report is completed (soon to be seen on our website at www.revelstokebearaware.org) and funding requirements as well as work plans for next season are determined. This will ensure the Bear Aware message continues to reach the residents of Revelstoke including the many newcomers and visitors to our community.

Thanks for a great year, and to everyone that called in bear sighting and who did their best to secure bear attractants on their property.

Janette Vickers

Revelstoke Bear Aware Community Coordinator

Gillian Sanders discussed different models of electric fences

Participants learn about keeping bear attractants safe

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.

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 2010.

Natalie Stafl, Volunteer with The Gleaning Project

The Gleaning Project donated 600lbs of fruit to Community Connections Food Bank in 2010