Becoming a BearSmart Community

What is BearSmart?

BearSmart is a public awareness program for people visiting, living, or working in bear territory. Human activities have become more frequent in bear territory. As a result, bear habitats have become more fragmented and encounters between bears and humans more common. Encounters between bears and people may have unfortunately consequences for both the bears and people involved.

Bears become used to human camps, garbage dumps, residential areas, ranches and farms when they learn these locations can provide easy meals. Once a bear gets used to an area that is also frequented by people, the chances of a bear-human encounter increase. Moving and collaring problem bears does not always solve the problem as:

• The bear may return to the area it was removed from, and continue its problem behaviour, or it may continue the problem behaviour in the area where it was relocated.
• Relocating the bear can place it in territory of another bear that may lead to the death of the relocated bear.
• Relocating a bear is costly and places a heavy demand on personnel and equipment.

Though quite rare, bear attacks can injure or even kill a human. If this happens, the bear will likely be found and destroyed. With this in mind the goals of the BearSmart program include:

• Empower Albertans with the information to make decisions when in bear territory.
• Help bear populations survive by educating people on:
  • Preventing bear encounters; and
  • Responding appropriately to bear encounters.
• Reduce property damage caused by bears.

How it Works

A BearSmart community is one that has committed to a plan to reduce the potential for bear-human conflict. BearSmart communities work with Alberta Fish and Wildlife staff to:

• Establish a community-led BearSmart committee.
• Develop and deliver an education plan.
• Create bylaws to manage garbage and other food sources that may attract bears into the community.
  • This would mean all residents would be required to place their garbage cans on the curb the morning of pick-up day (not the night before).
  • The Town of Slave Lake would also look to only plant trees that are non-fruit bearing and are not an attractant for bears.

How You Can Help

Slave Lake Fish and Wildlife are reminding residents using the Allarie Trail System to be BearSmart:

• Do not enter closed, or taped off areas of the trail as they are attempting to safely remove a bear in these areas. The closures are for your safety.
• Observe caution signs, practice BearSmart initiatives, if you see garbage on the side of the trail, help by picking it up and placing it in one of the bear proof containers.
• Do not let pets off-leash.
• Residents living up against green areas (specifically backing onto Sawridge Creek) are asked to store and secure their garbage cans in a locked building. Only take your garbage cans to the curb the morning of garbage day.
• Refrain from dumping your grass clippings on the edge of these green areas. Fermented grass piles attract bears.
• Keep your compost indoors.
• Remove bird feeders from your yard in the months where bears are active.
• Clean your barbecues.
• Consider removing fruit trees and beer-producing bushes from your property.
• If you see a bear on the trail system, or on the fringe of your yard and the green area - please contact 1-800-642-3800.

Have Your Say

Do you think Slave Lake should become a BearSmart community? Becoming a BearSmart community would require residents to only place their garbage cans on the curb the morning of pickup day and would see the Town of Slave Lake only plant trees and shrubs that do not serve as an attractant to bears. Have your say by voting below. If you have additional comments, please click on the additional comments tab to provide your feedback.