Latest News and Posts http://www.bearsmart.com/news-releases en Mon, 13 May 2013 22:17:13 +0000 Fri, 24 May 2013 16:03:13 +0000 http://cyber.law.harvard.edu/rss/rss.html admin@bearsmart.com http://www.bearsmart.com/blog/1730 http://www.bearsmart.com/blog/1730 If you’ve been watching the news this week you no doubt came across the report of a bear attack near Timmins, Ontario resulting in serious injuries to a 30-year old man, the death of his dog, and the resulting death of the bear. The story is horrible as it is rare and we’re thankful the story didn’t end with the man’s funeral. As an advocacy group for bears it is difficult for us to hear these stories and they remind us of how important our role of educating people in bear country is to the peaceful co-existence of humans and bears. At the Get Bear Smart Society we believe humans and bears can safely and respectfully coexist and we also believe it takes some intentionality. When it comes to bear encounters there is no black and white list of what to do and what not to do. That said, there are many guidelines that should be adopted when encountering a bear; more than can be adequately stated in this blog post. However, here are a few thoughts, points, and links I’d like to point you to. First, it is quite normal to be frightened by the presence of a bear when you come across one in the wild. Unfortunately, stories of bear attacks like the one near Timmins and many movie portrayals of bears tend to make them out to be vicious predators, monsters of the forest. In truth, most bears are as frightened of you as you are of them and the reality is that most bear encounters rarely lead to aggressive bear behavior; rarer still are bear attacks (less than one fatal bear attack/year in North America over the last 110 years). Second, bears have a well-developed sense of personal space and – like humans – it varies bear-to-bear. In any bear encounter, our default response is to provide as much space as possible for the bear, a mutually beneficial arrangement. Third, in the bear attack story coming out of Timmins there was a dog involved. Of course we don’t know the details about what happened in this particular story but we do know that a well-trained dog is often helpful in avoiding bear encounters. On the flip side, dogs can agitate an already stressed out bear and occasionally that bear will chase a high-tailing dog right back to their owners! Clearly this is not a situation any dog owner wants to be in. Fourth, in a bear encounter it is helpful to recognize the type of bear and whether it is curious, defensive, aggressive, or predatory, and then respond appropriately. An easy-to-read but longer form article on the topic is found here and should be read by anyone living in bear country! Anyhow, it is active bear season across North America and for those living in or visiting bear country, please take a few moments to get bear smart. Peaceful and respectful coexistence with bears can be a reality! -Jer   Mon, 13 May 2013 22:17:13 +0000 http://www.bearsmart.com/blog/1729 http://www.bearsmart.com/blog/1729 While the bears have been in a deep slumber, the elves at Get Bear Smart have been busy preparing for the upcoming season. We're set to launch our Bear Smart Restaurant program; expand our reach with enhanced social media and digital communications; continue work on our habitat replacement program; and last but not least, we've created 112 pages of pure bruin joy. Set to hit the shelves in late spring, Joy of Bears is a collection of over 100 breathtaking images and thought-provoking words meant to bring joy to your heart and enrich your spirit. It takes you on an inspiring journey into the world of the great bear to discover the true and often unseen nature of black bears, grizzlies and polar bears. Almost all of the photos of black bears were captured locally. Whistler's iconic bear, Jeanie, and her daughter Jeanette are featured on the cover. And of course, the book is dedicated to our beautiful girl, Jeanie (1991-2011), and all those who do their part to protect her kind. I am really pleased with the final product. It still fills me with awe each time I leaf through it. The photos capture the real essence of bears and each individual's personality shines through. Inspirational quotes are featured from Buddha, Jane Goodall, Chief Seattle, the 14th Dalai Lama, Edward O. Wilson, Dr. Steve Herrero and many others, including me. It's one of those books you will need to keep nearby so that anytime you're feeling a little blue, you can lift yourself right on up. The book has already received lots of praise. Rob Laidlaw, Executive Director, Zoocheck and award winning children's author, says " A true celebration of the world of bears and the amazing environments they inhabit. With its stunning visuals and inspiring prose, the Joy of Bears will be treasured by anyone interested in wildlife and the natural world. A positive, very moving tribute to these astonishing animals." And Marc Bekoff, a professor and prolific writer who lectures internationally on issues of animal behavior, cognitive ethology, and compassionate conservation, says "Bears are amazing beings. Sylvia Dolson's new book shows us just how much we can learn from other animals when we allow them to tell us who they are. Read it and share widely. Not only will you come to appreciate bears more than ever but you'll also come to cherish the fascinating world of animals and the beautiful landscapes in which they live. Peaceful coexistence is the only way to live with other animals and to expand our compassion footprint and to rewild our hearts." I would like to thank the photographers who enthusiastically donated their photos to this project - Nikolai Zinoviev, Michael Poliza, Derek Kyostia, Tony Dathan, Dennis Fast, David Krughoff, Deb Potts, James Fougere and Jamie Douglas. I am also grateful to the Community Foundation of Whistler and the Vancouver Foundation for providing the seed money to get the book designed and printed. Joy of Bears is a must have for any animal lover and a beautiful coffee table piece sure to bring smiles and conversation to guests in your home. It is the great bear's gift to us. Look for it at local retail outlets in June. Proceeds from the sale of this book support our work helping people to understand and live with our neigh-bears. You can view Joy of Bears here. Sat, 04 May 2013 15:21:11 +0000 http://www.bearsmart.com/node/1727 http://www.bearsmart.com/node/1727 Thank you for purchasing Joy of Bears. And thank you for taking the time to learn more about living in harmony with bears. Here are a few tips that will help: do not allow bears access to your garbage check your property for other bear attractants learn more about bear behaviour and the true nature of bears Can we coexist? Living with bears around your home. Fri, 26 Apr 2013 18:11:38 +0000 http://www.bearsmart.com/blog/1726 http://www.bearsmart.com/blog/1726 Springtime in bear country is an exciting time as bear's emerge from their dens, young cubs get their first taste of sunlight, and plant & forest life begin their cycle of food production yet again. It is also the time of year when bear's are very hungry and natural food sources can be scarce. Hungry bears living in proximity to restaurant or BBQ smells, poorly stored garbage, or any other enticing food smells will attract and forever alter the life of bear if they learn to find food sources other than what is natural to them in the wild. They're called food-conditioned bears and, all-too-often, these bears meet a sad end due to human-bear conflicts. Following is part two of our Cheat Sheet for Becoming Bear Smart that, if practiced, will actually save the life of bear. Click here to see Part 1 and the first 20 Bear Smart Hacks. 1.  YARD: Dandelions and clover are natural bear attractants. Get rid of 'em. 2.  Remove native & non-native plant species from around the home that bear fruit (pun intended). 3.  PETS: A well-trained dog can warn you when a bear is nearby. An untrained dog can cause conflict. 4.  BBQ utensils, plates, etc., should all be moved inside and the BBQ cleaned immediately after use. 5.  SUMMER LIVING: Don't burn citronella candles. The scent attracts bears. 6.  PETS: Small pets like cats or rabbits should be kept indoors, especially at night and especially in grizzly country. 7.  Keep your compost clean and odor free. 8.  Harvest vegetable gardens as quickly as possible when produce ripens. 9.  Never attempt to deter a grizzly bear on your own. 10.  Know your local Conservation Officer's phone number. In BC the phone number is 1.877.952.7277 or #7277 on your cell. 11.  BACKCOUNTRY: Hang food between two trees. 12.  In campgrounds, utilize bear safe food boxes and containers. 13.  An item to carry while hiking and camping in the backcountry is bear pepper spray. 14.  Keep a "bare" campsite; not a "bear" campsite. 15.  HUNTERS: It is illegal in most places to shoot or defend your game against a bear. Carry bear pepper spray. 16.  Never take food into your tent. 17.  CAMPING: Grey water (from doing dishes or washing) should be disposed of at least 100 meters from any human-use area. 18.  When camping, keep your fire pit and cooking stove clean and free from food residue. 19.  Never compost oil, fish, dairy, or meat. 20.  Bear's do not understand English or French. They understand the language of dominance and submission. Submit to a bear who is threatened. And be dominant to a predatory bear. Know the difference. Fri, 19 Apr 2013 00:02:15 +0000 http://www.bearsmart.com/blog/1725 http://www.bearsmart.com/blog/1725 With bears emerging from their wintery dens all over North America, we wanted to give you an easy-to-reference cheat sheet of 20 bear smart practices to consider for life in bear country. Keeping bears away from human food sources gives our bears a chance at a long life. Unfortunately, far-too-often a food-conditioned bear becomes a bear with a death sentence. Please save the life of a bear by sharing this cheat sheet to your friends & neighbors via email, Facebook, Twitter, or print it out and send it in the mail. Better yet, memorize this list and turn it into a singing telegram. (PS - If you opt for the last option, please send us video of you doing it). Without further adieu.. 1. Clean the grease tray out of your BBQ. 2.  Store away your bird feeder during bear season. 3.  Garbage should be secured inside or in a bear-proof bin until it can be disposed of properly. 4.  Keep smelly items out of your car; empty coffee cups, deodorant sticks, and McDonalds wrappers attract bears. 5.  DRIVING: Bear's do not wear reflectors; be cautious while driving through bear country at night. 6.  Use a telephoto lens when taking photos of bears. 7.  Don't cause a "bear jam" by stopping on roadways to watch bears. 8.  Got backyard chickens? Use an electric fence to keep them safe. 9.  Never approach a bear. 10.  Never befriend a bear. 11.  DRIVING: If you see a bear roadside, think, "Maybe there are cubs" and slow down to avoid collisions. 12.  Don't keep dog food outside. 13.  AT HOME: Replace lever door handles with traditional doorknobs. They're trickier for bear's to operate. 14.  Don't leave your picnic cooler in the back of your truck. 15.  Bears, like people, react to threats by evaluating their potential danger. Act responsibly. 16.  Bears can pry open vehicles to access food; don't tempt them. 17.  RANCHERS & BEEKEEPERS: Consider best bear smart practices. 18.  Teach your children about bears. 19.  Follow @BearSmart on Twitter and on Instagram. 20.  REMEMEBER: It's possible to teach an old bear new tricks. Thu, 11 Apr 2013 13:10:42 +0000 http://www.bearsmart.com/blog/1724 http://www.bearsmart.com/blog/1724 Living in a Bear Smart community is not something that happens by accident or without hard work from a few, commitment from many, and buy-in from everyone. Wherever human communities bump up against bear ranges there are bound to be human-bear conflicts and - sadly - without intentional advocacy on behalf of the bears, the bears always lose. Thankfully throughout North America, communities of passionate people are forming around the call to reduce human-bear conflicts and good is being done to protect, respect, and advocate for our bears. Yet, there are still many communities across North America who could stand for a more proactive and integrated approach to becoming a Bear Smart Community. Sylvia Dolson based out of Whistler, BC and executive director of the Get Bear Smart Society says this: "It's important to understand that there is no need to reinvent the wheel. Many communities have successfully launched effective BearSmart organizations. With the help of colleagues from all over North America, we have analyzed and synthesized what works and what doesn't in order to provide the following guidelines that can help you start a BearSmart movement in your community." Here in British Columbia, we have adopted a Bear Smart Community Program to guide municipalities in becoming a recognized Bear Smart community. Currently, BC has four recognized Bear Smart Communities including Whistler,  Squamish, Lion's Bay and Kamloops. To qualify as a Bear Smart Community, BC communities must achieve six key pieces of Bear Smart Programming. They include: Complete a bear hazard assessment. Prepare a human-bear conflict management plan that is designed to address the bear hazards and land-use conflicts identified in the previous step. Revise planning and decision-making documents to be consistent with the human-bear conflict management plan. Implement an effective education program directed at all sectors of the community. Develop and maintain an effective bear-proof municipal solid waste management system. Implement and enforce "Bear Smart" bylaws prohibiting the provision of food to bears as a result of intent, neglect or irresponsible management of attractants. Clearly these six pieces of criteria are not something easily won and there is due process required for much of it. However, we believe it's worth it, we've seen some very encouraging signs of improvement here in Whistler, and we're dedicated to being a resource and a soundboard to you and your community in walking down this road to Bear Smartness. For more information on British Columbia's Bear Smart Programming, please visit this link. Giving a voice to our bears, -Jer   Wed, 20 Mar 2013 12:10:58 +0000 http://www.bearsmart.com/book/1723 http://www.bearsmart.com/book/1723 Look inside. Joy of Bears is a feel good book full of breathtaking photos, inspirational quotes, and - of course - joy! This incredible book of bear hugs will fill your heart with wonder and enrich your spirit, inspiring you to protect and celebrate all that is wild. A must have for any animal lover and a beautiful coffee table piece sure to bring smiles and conversation to guests in your home. It is the great bear's gift to us. Enjoy and share. Proceeds from the sale of this book support our work helping people to understand and live with our neigh-bears. Have a look inside the book here. Order your copy now. $19.95  Shipping is extra. Hardcover, full color, 112 pages, 8" x 8"  ISBN 978-0-9813813-2-9 A true celebration of the world of bears and the amazing environments they inhabit. With its stunning visuals and inspiring prose, the Joy of Bears will be treasured by anyone interested in wildlife and the natural world. A positive, very moving tribute to these astonishing animals. ~ Rob LaidlawExecutive Director, Zoocheck Award winning children's author Joy of Bears is a strong testament to the natural beauty of bears and our precious animal kingdom. ~ Anthony Douglas Williams, author of Inside the Divine Pattern Bears are amazing beings. Sylvia Dolson's new book shows us just how much we can learn from other animals when we allow them to tell us who they are. Read it and share widely. Not only will you come to appreciate bears more than ever but you'll also come to cherish the fascinating world of animals and the beautiful landscapes in which they live. Peaceful coexistence is the only way to live with other animals and to expand our compassion footprint and to rewild our hearts. ~ Marc Bekoff - evolutionary biologist, professor emeritus at University of Colorado, and author of numerous books Tue, 12 Mar 2013 15:30:41 +0000 http://www.bearsmart.com/blog/1722 http://www.bearsmart.com/blog/1722 Most North American black bears are born sometime beginning in mid-January right through to early-February making the yearly batch of cubs the astrological sign of either Capricorn or Aquarius. Being that my own birthday is in January I feel a certain kinship to the Capricorn's born in the cold and dark of their den. As a birthday present to them and as they contemplate life outside of the den, I thought it fitting to read them their very own bearoscope. Overview: Say hello to life and hug your mom! With winter holding on to its' final weeks of cold snaps and snow, cuddle close to your mom, wrestle with your brother or sister, and eat well (your mom has six nipples, ya know). Of course, being a Capricorn you'll do this how you always do it - through hard work and determination. Life's beginning was cold and dark, you were hairless and blind, and if you ever thought you might grow you probably also thought, "This den is too small." But take heart! You will grow to be beautiful and magnificent and your summer home is like nothing you have ever imagined. Forests, streams, mountain vistas, valley floors, and decadence; it's here where you will discover a very good life. Love & Romance: This won't cross your mind for a while but, that faithful night you are cuddled up and staring at Ursa Major with your soon to be significant other, you'll probably have already celebrated your third birthday. Spend lots of time hang'n out with your pals while you're young since most of your adult life will be solitary except during mating season. And, BTW, they don't call it spring fever for nothing; you and most of your friends will be quite promiscuous! Chances are you'll be paired with a Capricorn and a romp in the woods will feel natural, normal, and dare we say it - furocious. Money & Career: Don't count on it. There are a number of famous bears but - to be honest - you'll find a life digging for berries and grubs far more meaningful. To that end, please avoid becoming a star on YouTube unless it's you doing something cute in the wild. If you live close to those hairless bipedal talking creatures, give them a wide berth and suggest they use a telephoto lens. Health: Keep this simple axiom in mind as you grow and search out a good life: Fad diets are bad diets. If you live close to people your nose will be tickled by the smell of BBQ's, restaurant aromas, and even garbage - the worst food available, even though it is too often available. A healthy life is typically not the easiest life, but it is the good life - and a good diet matters. Also, be comforted that those infected wounds and sores you're bound to get will heal remarkably well during hibernation, especially if you've eaten well. A word of caution if you're a male bear: during mating season the competition is fierce and it is advisable to know where you stand in the pecking order. Eat well, grow big. Anyhow, welcome to this world, bear cubs! We hope and pray and believe for the very best for you. Not only that but we'll fight for you, advocate for you, and tell your story as best we can. Good luck. Fun video: Rick Mercer cuddles bear cubs while the biologist tags the mother. Hillarious and cute to boot! Fri, 01 Mar 2013 00:54:39 +0000 http://www.bearsmart.com/blog/1720 http://www.bearsmart.com/blog/1720 Here at Bear Smart HQ in beautiful Whistler, BC all of our local bears are sleeping off a high calorie diet in their cozy little dens scattered around the mountainsides. Most bears in northern climates, in fact, are now into their hibernation cycle with the exception of most polar bears (except moms with newborns) and blacks and grizzlies who have found unnatural food sources. Many bear dens are excavated into hillsides or into the hollow base of a tree, stump, or rock cavity and provide a safe place for bears to knock out, catch a few zzz's, and - for those lucky expectant mothers - pop out a couple cubs. During hibernation bears survive without eating by living off their fat reserves and by going into a state of dormancy; metabolism slows drastically, body temps drop by 3-7 degree Celsius, and hearts beat roughly 8-12 times per minute. It's quite remarkable, actually. The hoax? We used to think that when bears are hibernating they went into a coma-like state slipping into an unwakeable sleep. And while bears aren't practicing yoga or doing many activities in the den, they are as active as anyone could be in such a small living space with a drastically slowed physiology and no internet. They even dream of tasty ants, plants, and alpine vistas. Six Interesting Things Bears Do In the Den: 1. Shift Positions Wouldn't you? I can't imagine the physio my neck would need if I slept under a tree for 4-6 months without rolling in and out of my favorite sleeping positions. 2. Scratch, Stretch, and Scratch Some More Obviously connected to the shifting positions, popular den activity includes a good belly scratch from time-to-time as well as some mild back bends and forward rounding. 3. They Don't Defecate Something bears rarely do while in the den is to defecate or urinate; a relief for everyone involved in den life, I'm sure. 4. Recycle While humans would die from the build-up of urea from not urinating all winter, a hibernating bear has the unique ability to recycle urea to create new proteins - one of the secrets of den life. 5. Giving Birth and Keeping the Cubs in Line Day-old cub Born smaller than grown squirrels, bear cubs are birthed in the den. Mom even goes through intense labor. No, they don't just fall out and, unless they get constant  mothering, they squeal like tiny rats. Her body and hot breath keep young cubs warm and mom sleeps less deeply to ensure crawling cubs don't venture too far away from her nipples (of which she has six!). She also helps them to urinate and defecate while simultaneously keeping the den clean - a process that is, well, the mark of a very committed mother. Watch a video of Lily caring for her newborn cub, Hope. 6. Yawn, Adjust the Bedding, and Go Back to Sleep Spring is coming. Den Cams To watch first-hand the day-to-day of den life, follow Lily in her den. Lily lives in Minnesota and has set up a den-cam for us all (courtesy of the North American Bear Center). Jewel has her own cam too - look inside now. Learn more about hibernation. Watch the highlights from 2011 den cams.   Fri, 01 Feb 2013 16:13:39 +0000 http://www.bearsmart.com/blog/1719 http://www.bearsmart.com/blog/1719 Living in bear-country and along what appears to be a bear commuter-trail in my backyard, I'm constantly feeding out interesting bear facts to the guests who come through our home. Most of our guests are city slickers whose understanding of bears mirrors my own understanding of country music: I don't get it. In fact, because I don't get it I've made up all kinds of horror stories about abused guitars, wrangler butts, and cowboy hats that have defiled one-too-many airwaves. Myths abound anywhere there is a lack of understanding. This is how conspiracy theories start, how misinformation becomes fact, and how all-too-often public policies are formed. Hearsay and common-knowledge, true or not, becomes the guiding ethic or practice towards whatever it is we don't understand. Bears, not surprisingly, are the subject of many myths and hearsays and have become the victims of public policies harmful or out-right deadly to them. And while some false things we believe about bears are almost cute, some of the things we believe wrongly about bears have significant consequences. That said, when my city slicker guests show up and starting asking about bears, I start by remembering that country music actually isn't all that bad and then proceed to go through a list of bear myths my guests shouldn't believe. Stay tuned for future bear smart blog posts as we explore each of the following myths a little further. Until then, here is a list of 15 myths commonly believed about bears: Myth #1 - Bears have poor eyesight. Myth #2 - If a bear is standing on it's hindlegs, it's about to charge. Myth #3 - If a bear charges you, climb a tree. Myth #4 - Bear bells are the best way to avoid a surprise encounter. Myth #5 - One of the most dangerous encounters is getting between a mother black bear and her cubs. Myth #6 - Carrying a rifle is safer than pepper spray. Myth #7 - Bears are unpredictable. Myth #8 - Once a bear has tasted human food, it won't eat wild food anymore. Myth #9 - Shooting or relocating a 'nuisance' bear will solve the problem. Myth #10 - Bears that wander into inhabited areas such as campsites, communities, or cottage country are 'problem' bears. Myth #11 - Bears can't run downhill. Myth #12 - People travelling in bear country are often attacked. Myth #13 - It is dangerous to go into bear country when menstruating. Myth #14 - Bears are carnivores. Myth #15 - Play dead during an attack. For 185-pages of fascinating bear facts, trivia, and tales check out Sylvia Dolson's book titled, Bear-ology. Sylvia is the director of Get Bear Smart and is a leading expert on living with bears in residential areas. Wed, 23 Jan 2013 17:52:38 +0000 http://www.bearsmart.com/blog/1718 http://www.bearsmart.com/blog/1718 Good question. Well not really, but the heart behind the question is a good one. You see, we are concerned about your BBQ and other bear attractants found around your home, but we don't really think your BBQ is going to be attacked. In fact, the term "attack" is a term we never use when describing human-bear conflicts; it's too sensational, too dramatic, and always inaccurate. Bears aren't bloodthirsty or terrifying and they're certainly not stalking you or doubling as a furry boogey-man in the forest. So sleep easy. At the same time, please don't try and hug a bear; they're not altogether that huggable! And though the chances of my 4-year-old sleeping without tightly hugging his teddy bear is none-to-nil, bears in real life don't make for good sleeping companions - unless you're a bear yourself. What I'm trying to say is this: the words we use when we talk about bears really influences how we think about them and behave towards them. If we talk as though bears are merciless killers than of course our response to conflict bears is to kill them. Or, if your understanding of a bear is on par with a cute and cuddly kitten and you think you should follow the bear into the forest to Instagram your first really close bear encounter, you're dead wrong. Hand feeding, or getting close to bears is not an option and we must be intentional about keeping a safe and respectful distance of bears. If in doubt, use a telephoto lens! Obviously, how we talk about bears matters.  In the world of bear advocacy let's ensure the verbiage we use to describe bears is clear, non-sensationalized, pro-bear, pro-people, and media-friendly. What we say counts and the message of bear advocacy is one that must spread. So let's get it right. At any rate, regarding your BBQ, just keep it clean and we're all good. Removing the grease from the drip tray/can and cleaning it is the #1 priority. -Jer PS - Speaking of Instagram, we've joined its' ranks and can be found at @BearSmart. Wed, 16 Jan 2013 14:24:50 +0000 http://www.bearsmart.com/blog/1717 http://www.bearsmart.com/blog/1717 As a not-for-profit charitable organization, Get Bear Smart (GBS) relies on grants and donations from individuals, businesses, and other organizations to fund our work. As a critical voice for bears in the Whistler Valley, GBS is honored to be supported and funded through a very diverse group of community stakeholders who believe in GBS initiatives and champion our work. Please see a list of our sponsors here. While the above listed supporters are big-ticket supporters who go a long way in funding the work of the Get Bear Smart Society, anyone can give and be apart of our efforts here. One critical project we've been working on is our habitat replacement project. Where natural habitat has been damaged or disturbed by human development GBS is working with local organizations to rehabilitate or enhance natural habitat in areas surrounding development. By doing this we can keep bears in their natural habitat and away from residential and commercial developments. We do this by thinning heavily wooded areas near natural bear-travel areas to allow for sunlight to penetrate the thick forest canopy promoting richer undergrowth and by planting food-bearing plants for bears' consumption. Prime areas for habitat enhancement are ski hills, parks, and golf courses. You can invest in the future of bears by funding the purchase of a tree or several trees. Not only will you be helping keep bears out of trouble, you'll be making a positive impact on the environment as well. "We are planting 100 or so plants each year with volunteer labor," comments Bear Smart director Sylvia Dolson. "If we were able to secure sufficient funding we could hire professional landscapers, buy some soil and fertilizer and set up some temporary irrigation on a large plot of trees. That is something I think would have a long-term benefit to bears and other animals, especially birds. It's sustainable and you can watch it grow and watch the bears feed on the berries. A very cool project." On behalf of our furry friends and neigh-bears, consider a contribution of just $10 to buy a tree and save bears lives. If you can help buy more trees...all the better, buy a grove if you can! Follow this link to learn more about our Habitat Replacement Program. Donations are gratefully received online at www.bearsmart.com/donate and are tax-receiptable within the year they are received. Thu, 20 Dec 2012 14:51:21 +0000 http://www.bearsmart.com/blog/1716 http://www.bearsmart.com/blog/1716 In the last couple of weeks those of us in Whistler have been dealing with the stark reminder of what happens when bears become habituated to easy-to-come-by people food. A local bear who had become known to local's as "Re-Pete" did just what his name implies; repeatedly found himself along the Whistler Village stroll attracted to the wonderful food smells wafting out. Sadly, after his sixth visit to the Village in a very short time frame, Re-Pete was killed by conservation officers and removed from the village for the last time. Like Whistler's famous bear, Jeanie, Re-Pete lost his life as a result of preventable conflict with people. Since Jeanie's death in 2011, the Get Bear Smart Society has set up a memorial fund in her honor to help ensure her daughter Jeanette's future as well as the lives of the not so famous bears like Re-Pete whose struggles are equally challenging. With your help, we've been able to grow this fund and are making the world a safer place for bears and people. GBS is a not-for-profit charitable organization that relies on grants and donations to fund its work. Our goal is not just to ensure a viable future for bears but also to make certain bears become a respected part of our culture and their needs and well-being are considered in decision making processes. Please commit today to help ensure a bright future for our bears. Donations are gratefully received online at www.bearsmart.com/donate and are tax-receiptable within the year they are received. Also, please visit our Get Bear Smart online store to purchase Bear Smart gifts and stocking stuffers. Each purchase helps fund our bear safe initiatives and will put a smile on your face! Visit the store here. Wed, 12 Dec 2012 21:27:44 +0000 http://www.bearsmart.com/blog/1715 http://www.bearsmart.com/blog/1715 With tons of snow, festivity, cheer and enough lights to transform the Whistler Village into a real-life Whoville, Christmas in Whistler is one of the most beautiful times of year and, in all probability, the least likely time you'll see a bear. By Christmas even our big hungry male bears should be denned up for the winter and happily sleeping off a busy summer of packing on the calories. Now that the bears are hibernating and human-bear conflicts are on the decline, our winter season is the time of year when we do some of our most important work: raising funds to continue the vital work of the Get Bear Smart Society. As an award winning organization our work is dependant on fundraising, donations, grants, and the sale of our Bear Smart branded products. 1.      A Whistler Bear Story This beautiful photo-book sits prominently on my living room's coffee table and often becomes the center of conversation for guests in our home. Written and photographed by Sylvia Dolson and Katherine Fawcett, this book tells the individual stories of different bears in the Whistler region and reads like a bear-family journal. A great gift! 2.      Bear Smart Kids Booklet Simply, my 4-year-old straight up loved this book. Filled with interesting facts, coloring, and activities this fun little book is perfect for ages 3+ and served as a great discussion starter to teach my children about bears. Worth every penny. 3.      Bear-ology Playing Cards Who doesn't want to play poker with Bear-ology playing cards? That's right, no one. These are awesome and hopefully the laugh-out-loud bear-ology facts won't throw you off your game. 4.      Bear Photos Stunning photos of our local bear population by photographer and Get Bear Smart director Sylvia Dolson. Canvas prints are available for purchase and come ready to hang. At very least, enjoy a look at some of the photos available for purchase. 5.      Donation to Get Bear Smart With time ticking down to receive a tax-receipt for the 2012 tax-year, now is the time to make your last minute donations in to the Get Bear Smart Society. Donations go a long way in helping us continue what we do here in Whistler and as we amplify our voice as an authority with the world of bear advocacy. Consider Christmas gifting to GBS this season! For more Bear Smart Christmas gift ideas, please visit our store and thanks so much for your support! Sun, 02 Dec 2012 00:13:52 +0000 http://www.bearsmart.com/report/1721 http://www.bearsmart.com/report/1721 In 2012 biologists Maggie Paquet and Wayne McCrory completed a detailed landmark bear study for the Valhalla Society, partly under the provincial Bear Smart program, on bear-human conflicts and ways to reduce problems with bears in the Upper Slocan Valley. Thanks to numerous proactive measures by BC Parks and other agencies, there are now few conflicts in the backcountry. Most conflicts occur with black bears in the front country. Here, even though agencies and communities have made significant investment in bear-proofing and other measures to control attractants, the study recommends completion of bear-proofing of garbage and other attractants, improved bylaws, relocation of bears when they first show up in communities rather than shooting them when they become problematic and other measures. For more details download the report here. Fri, 30 Nov 2012 17:30:54 +0000 http://www.bearsmart.com/blog/1714 http://www.bearsmart.com/blog/1714 While the Whistler alpine is being dumped on and with significant snowfall right down to the valley floor, skiers and snowboarders are not the only ones filled with anticipation about the weather. Yet-to-den bears are starting to feel it too, however, a better word to describe their feelings would be "anxious." With natural food sources being covered in heaps of snow, bears around Whistler have been heading into the Village and to residential areas in search of calories before settling down for their winter hibernation. One of our local bears, Pete, has made the Whistler Village his target for food sources being captured in the Village and re-located three times within this last week. The last capture was in quite dramatic fashion and called for the assistance of a local crane operator (see the video here). Re-Pete, as he has come to be called, clearly is desperate for late season food and doesn't seem to want to den until he finds it. In another story from this week, a sow and her three cubs had to be re-located after breaking into a residential home for a party with people food. This is an especially tough scenario for a couple of reasons: 1.      Mother bear and her cubs are typically the first to den and should be denned already. Clearly this family is yet to be fully fed which will make for a tough winter for them. 2.      Cubs habituated to these types of human-bear conflicts sometimes become involved in problems with people in the future. Sadly, the home they got into this week was not their first. It's a tough time for our bears as they search out food and, as a Bear Smart Community, we must do our part to ensure the food bears are feeding on are natural to them. If you are a resident or local business owner, please clear your property of food attractants to help avert bears from finding food in the Village or in residential neighborhoods. Thanks so much for your diligence! If you or someone you know is involved in a conflict with a bear, please report the situation immediately. In Whistler call 604.905.BEAR (2327). To report a bear conflict, elsewhere in BC, please call 1-877-952-7277 or #7277 on your cell. Or check our listings for other Bear Smart/Aware organizations in North America here. Sat, 24 Nov 2012 01:18:38 +0000 http://www.bearsmart.com/blog/1713 http://www.bearsmart.com/blog/1713 With the snow flying here in Whistler and the ski hill about to open there are thousands of new seasonal workers arriving into town. If you're one of them, WELCOME! Whistler is an amazing town to spend a season in and we really hope you enjoy your stay with us. The beauty and draw that attracts tourists, seasonal workers, and long time residents to Whistler are our beautiful mountains, lakes, and valleys which also happen to be prime bear habitat. Whistler is bear country. If you're a new resident to Whistler or simply passing through for a week, there are a few guidelines everyone in Whistler should know about what bears are up to right now. To provide a healthy environment for our bears to live in and to reduce human-bear conflicts, please consider these tips: 1.  Some of our bears are beginning to den and go into their yearly cycle of hibernation. For these bears, don't expect to see them until spring. 2.  Bears yet to den, including many of the large male bears, are still hungry and actively searching for food. With winter approaching bears become more and more intense in their 20-hour/day consumption of 20,000+ calories. That's a lot of food! 3.  You can help save bears from being face-to-snout with an officer by not providing unnatural food opportunities for them. Like humans, bears will take the path of least resistance and they'll eat food wherever they can find it. 4.  To be bear smart, please: Clean BBQ's and ensure grease and food smells are not present on or around your home. Food in vehicles is a target for bears. They will smash windows to get food and other smelly things like a deodorant stick or an empty coffee cup! Garbage and recycling disposal is HUGE! Do not leave garbage outside or around your home. Please dispose of garbage in a bear safe manner; in Whistler this means using one of our two garbage compactor sites, or the facilities at your condo/apt. Wait another month or so before you hang birdfeeders. When walking your dog, please keep them leashed and give grazing bears space to graze. This is especially important on our Whistler golf courses! 5.  Finally, if you or someone you know is involved in a conflict with a bear, please report the situation immediately. In Whistler call 604.905.BEAR (2327). For more info on how to report a bear conflict, outside of Whistler, please read more here. Thanks for choosing Whistler as your home, we hope you have a great season here and please remember who we share these mountains with! Your information source for bears: www.bearsmart.com. #BearSmart     Thu, 15 Nov 2012 19:39:49 +0000 http://www.bearsmart.com/blog/1573 http://www.bearsmart.com/blog/1573 Highway corridors can, depending on weather, vegetation and other environmental factors attract bears. Unfortunately, this can result in bear/vehicle collisions, traffic jams due to bear viewing, and the habituation of bears to humans. The British Columbia Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure (BC MoT) is working on decreasing bear activity along the Sea to Sky Highway in order to protect both humans and bears. Identification and monitoring of areas with higher levels of bear activity are a part of this process. These areas pose a safety hazard as cars slow down and pull off to observe the bears, creating a “bear jam”. In some of these areas, no-stopping signs are being placed, in addition to the large bear warning signs that were installed last year. There are also locations where people are driving in to areas to view the bears at a closer distance. These areas are being blocked off to prevent bear/human interaction along the highway. Decreasing the visibility of the bears from the highway is another measure being taken. Trees have been planted in order to screen areas of high bear activity from motorists. In other areas the BC MoT is attempting to reduce bear activity by planting non-attractive native plants in locations with high bear activity that will spread over time and shade out attractive clover and grasses. Ongoing monitoring and research into new planting methods and seed mixtures which decrease bear and other wildlife activity along roadsides are a part of BC MoT’s future plans to deal with the bear issues along the Sea to Sky Highway. Thu, 14 Jun 2012 16:40:01 +0000 http://www.bearsmart.com/blog/1533 http://www.bearsmart.com/blog/1533 Thank you to everyone for your contributions over the years that led us here today to accept this award and for committing to continuing your efforts to be a bear smart community. Whistler has been working hard to implement bear smart practices for over a decade. While no community can ever be 100% bear smart, we will always be committed to resolving new issues as they arise in order to minimize human-bear conflict and the number of bears killed as a result. It is an ongoing and evolving process, but it's nice to have our progress to date recognized. Whistler has committed to incorporating long-term bear smart practices into its founding community principles, waste infrastructure, educational programs and resident's lifestyles. Just as we have embraced recycling, energy conservation and reducing our carbon footprint, we are also reducing our ecological footprint. This has truly been a community driven initiative. I would like to personally thank all of our partners for their persistent hard work and dedication. And trust me.... persistence is key and the reason for our success. We couldn't have done it without you. Each organization as played such an important role. The Resort Municipality of Whistler has been on side from the start, supporting bear smart efforts even before there was a Bear Smart Community Program. Carney's Waste Systems has worked tirelessly from the very beginning, designing, testing, and then re-designing bear-proof waste containers. I think we may have even outsmarted most of the bruins. Both the RCMP and Conservaton Officer Service have adopted non-lethal bear management practices. To Whistler Blackcomb for supporting our habitat replacement program. I am truly grateful for all of your efforts. To my team at the Get Bear Smart Society, thank you for your drive and dedication and for never giving up. The Get Bear Smart Society would like to thank Whistlerites for their unrelenting cooperation and for taking the time to modify their habits to be bear smart. I thank the bears and Jeanie in particular for providing my inspiration. My end goal is to make the world a better and kinder place for animals and people to coexist in. So please, let's continue to do what is right and bear smart.  Let's do it for Jeanie! Wed, 09 May 2012 15:12:41 +0000