Bear Awareness
It’s a fact: bears live in our neighborhoods. While we may enjoy the occasional glimpse from a safe distance, inviting bears into our backyards can create serious hazards, both for people and for bears. With a growing bear population and residential developments advancing further into bear habitat, it is everyone’s responsibility to make sure that bears and people stay at a safe distance from each other. One person’s bad habits can create problems for a whole neighborhood. Bears that have become habituated to human smells and garbage are a hazard and are often destroyed. Help them out by not luring them into close contact with humans.
“We lure bears in with an easy meal and punish them with death for accepting our invitation.”
Sylvia Dolson, Get Bear Smart Society
Bears shot in Mission in 2011 to date: 7
Garbage, recyclables and compost should always be stored inside a secure containment. If you don’t have a garage, shed or basement where you can store your curbside materials until the morning of collection, consider purchasing a Bear-Resistant Bin.
Human-Bear Conflicts
Just seeing a bear does not constitute a conflict. Bears live in the mountains behind us and make use of green spaces. Problems arise when bears become used to feeding on our garbage, compost, bird seed, pet food and unharvested fruit. Prevention is key, so it is up to us to remove attractants. In urgent situations or to report an aggressive bear, please contact the Conservation Officer Service (RAPP line) at 1-877-952-7277.
For more information, please contact the Environmental Coordinator via e-mail or at 604-820-3795 or visit the following sites:
http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/cos/info/bearaware/index.html
http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/wld/bearsmart/bearsmintro.html
Manage Your Excess Fruit
Have too much fruit to deal with? The Mission Food Access Network (MFAN) coordinates the gleaning of excess fruit and vegetables from your garden. Visit www.mfan.ca and click on “Food Gleaning” to have volunteers help you with the harvest. A share of the bounty goes to you, the rest goes to the pickers and a local food program.
BearSaver Trash Can
- 95 gallon size (NOT suitable for curbside collection, storage only)
- Certified grizzly bear-resistant by the Living with Wildlife Foundation
- Special latch under the lid prevents animal entry
- Snap-shut lid means no manual latching
- Durable injection moulded construction with steel reinforced side rails, lid support, back stiffener and bracing on handle
- Forest green in colour
Not to be used for curbside collection. Please transfer garbage into regular curbside bins on the morning of collection.
Supplier: Fraser Valley Building Supplies Inc., 7072 Wren Street, Mission, BC V2V 2V9 (604) 820-1134 www.buildingsupplies.ca
For more information on bear-resistant trash containers, visit http://www.bearsmart.com/becoming-bear-smart/community/waste-management