In 2008, the North Shore Black Bear Society and the North Shore Recycling Program (NSRP) jointly developed guidelines for composting in bear country to provide consistent information to residents who wish to reduce the garbage they send to landfill while maintaining a bear-safe neighbourhood.
Since then, we have collaborated to deliver the composting-in-bear-country message to North Shore residents through popular community events, newspaper articles and ads, information brochures, how-to videos, public workshops and private gatherings.
We are very proud to be educational partners with the North Shore Black Bear Society.
By composting fruit and vegetable scraps with leaves and household paper products in a healthy backyard compost bin, a typical household can divert more than 500 kilograms from the garbage stream each year, while keeping most bear-attracting materials off the curb on garbage day.
But properly maintaining a compost bin is not the most important action that determines whether a bear will find your yard or neighbourhood interesting.
The simple fact is this: Food scraps in unsecured or outdoor garbage cans is a reliable food source for bears, accounting for 80 per cent of all bear sightings on the North Shore.
If we are to coexist with these rainforest animals that are our other neighbours, we residents need to secure, manage or eliminate all unnatural food sources for animals on our properties. Most importantly, keep garbage indoors or in a secured container until the morning of pick-up, and compost your fruit and veggie scraps so your remaining garbage isn't so attractive to animals.
If you would like to reduce bear attractants in your neighbourhood and reduce the garbage you send to landfill or incineration, please consider the following:
- watch our three minute video, How to Compost in Bear Country;
- read our guidelines or brochure, Composting in Bear Country;
- purchase a subsidized NSRP compost bin and aerating tool and manage your food scraps at home;
- attend one of two free workshops on bears, fruit trees and compost on Aug. 8 at Lynn Canyon Ecology Centre;
- book a compost coach to help you set up or troubleshoot your backyard compost bin;
- host a free neighbour- hood garden party and have a bear and compost expert come to you.
Information about all of the above can be obtained at gardensmart.ca or by phoning the NSRP office at 604-984-9730. We welcome your call and are happy to help you compost safely in bear country.
Elizabeth Leboe is the community programs and GardenSmart co-ordinator for North Shore Recycling Program.
