Accomplishments

Northern Bear Awareness

To reduce conflict in neighbourhoods between people and bears through education, innovation and cooperation.

Accomplishments

What NBA has done since 2000:

Preventative Education:

· Schools in the Prince George area have received a total of 360 free interactive elementary classroom presentations reaching 10,400 students.

· Summer camps in the Prince George area have received a total of 151 interactive presentations reaching 3,620 participants.

· Canvassing has reached 9,442 homes.

· Northern Bear Awareness brochures have been sent to ~7000 homes.

· Public events communicating the bear awareness message have reached ~41,000 community members.

Community Involvement:

· The fruit exchange program has coordinated over 1,400 volunteers to help put locally produced fruit in the hands of local people.

· The media has greatly supported our efforts in Prince George. Our 7 radio stations have regularly broadcasted interviews and bear updates; local newspapers have published hundreds of articles; CKPG TV annually produces and airs news segments, as well as TV commercials in 2005; and Shaw Cable has also produced and aired informative clips for us.

Research and Bear Smart Status:

· The NBA program developed the first bear-human conflict map with PG bear complaint data in 2000. Updated maps are produced each year. To see historical maps, click here.

· Bear-Hazard risk assessments have been completed for all municipal parks, schools, and community centres.

· Public surveys have been collected in PG since 2000 on public perception of bear conflicts.

· A bear-attractant tree list has been researched and developed to aid municipal planners

· Provincial Bear Smart Status research was initiated, contracting Dr. Lana Ciarniello Ph.D., RPBio. (funded by HCTF).

· Phase 1 of the Prince George Bear Hazard Assessment was completed in 2006.

· Phase 2 of the Prince George Bear Hazard Assessment data analysis completed, field study, and preliminary management plan completed in September 2008.

· Phase 3 Prince George Bear Smart Management Plan completed and published in October 2009.

· Urban Bear Smart Research Project initiated, with two female black bears being radio-collared in spring 2009.

· Resolution for Bear Smart bylaw passed by Prince George Mayor and Council on June 29, 2009.

1384 River Road

Prince George, BC

V2L 5S8.

Phone: 250-301-7575

Fax: 250-563-5438