Elk Valley residents can take advantage of up to $2,000 on offer to help protect their properties from unwelcome ursine guests.
Those living in Jaffray, Fernie, Sparwood, Elkford, Hosmer and the surrounding rural areas are eligible for financial assistance for electric fencing installation on their property.
“Our goal is to create a landscape that works for both people and wildlife in the Elk Valley,” said Clayton Lamb, a local wildlife biologist.
“Conflicts between people and bears are a common occurrence here, but there are proven solutions, and we want to make it easier for residents to take actions to discourage bears from coming onto properties.”
According to WildSafe BC’s 2024 bear conflict report, the Elk Valley is a particular hotspot for bear encounters.
“This area is an excellent bear habitat, so the animals are naturally drawn here. However, even when we compare to areas with similar habitats, the conflicts here are exceptionally high,” said WildSafe BC Elk Valley Community Coordinator Dianna Haycock.
“Fernie is located in a natural wildlife corridor, so we see bears pretty much everywhere. Properties that back onto green spaces like James White Park will see more bear activity, but it’s not uncommon to see bears walk right through the middle of town.”
The program, organized by the Yellowstone to Yukon Conservation Initiative, is meant to help deter bears from livestock, gardens, or fruit trees and to remove or replace unwanted fruit trees.
Residents can receive up to 50 per cent of the cost of materials for building an electric fence on their property, with a maximum of $2,000.
The program also offers free expert advice, which has helped over 500 people across the Kootenays reduce bear conflict.
You can also get up to $400 to remove and/or replace unwanted fruit trees.
WildSafe says fruit-bearing trees can be a major attractant to bears, particularly if they are unmaintained.
“This initiative aims to promote coexistence between people and wildlife by mitigating common sources of human-bear conflicts,” said the Yellowstone to Yukon Conservation Initiative.
“The program is supported by a collaboration between the Province of British Columbia, Biodiversity Pathways, Margo Supplies and Yellowstone to Yukon Conservation Initiative. Financial support is provided by Elk Valley Resources and The Gencon Foundation.”
The Yellowstone to Yukon Conservation Initiative says funds are limited and provided on a first-come-first-served basis.
You can apply by contacting [email protected] and visiting Operationalizing Wildlife Coexistence in the Elk Valley: Wildlife Science Centre.
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