About Us: The Get Bear Smart Society (GBS), based in Whistler, British Columbia, Canada, champions progressive management policies that reduce both the number of human-bear conflicts and the number of bears destroyed. Our mission is to provide a safe environment in which people and bears can coexist in harmony. We accomplish this by educating people on dealing with bears in their communities; and promoting innovative bear management practices. Overall, we are creating a paradigm shift in people’s attitudes toward bears and other wildlife by replacing fear and ignorance with understanding and respect. As a result of GBS programs, the number of so-called ‘problem’ bears destroyed in Whistler has been reduced by 85%. Our persistent hard work and dedication have also resulted in Whistler becoming the first ‘Bear Smart’ community in North America providing a model for other communities to follow. But the work of the Get Bear Smart Society is not limited only to Whistler: the Society is affecting bear management policies across British Columbia and Canada - and even throughout North America.
Our Programs: GBS is perhaps best known for its innovative and proactive non-lethal bear management training program, leading the way in developing and continually improving standards and curriculum, as well as providing training to various agencies. The non-lethal program is the highlight of our ongoing search for the best bear management practices, providing officers with a much needed alternative to destroying bears. In fact, the results of Whistler’s pilot program and research are forming the basis for change in sustainable bear management policy province wide and even nationally. GBS works hard to educate the public, residents, homeowners, children, businesses, all levels of government, enforcement agencies, parks, and NGO’s to better understand bears. Our educational programs include the production and distribution of educational materials ranging from childrens’ programs to resident information to professional training resources; public and corporate bear smart presentations; an extensive ad campaign; newspaper columns; a comprehensive website; and interpretive signage and billboards. Our Neighbourhood Bear Watch program includes a bear information hotline; residential and business bear hazard assessments; and targeted door-to-door canvassing. We have also created a line of educational merchandise including stickers, games, and logo wear – combining learning with fundraising. Using Whistler as a model, GBS assists with the implementation of bear smart educational programs throughout BC and Canada through research, training and education.
Where Our Tracks Are Leading · We are expanding our programs provincially and nationally to spread the bear smart message to the masses. Our goal is to franchise the bear smart concept, pioneered in Whistler, and expand to other areas. One of our next steps will be to use the attention focused on the area for the 2010 Olympics to showcase bear smart programs. · GBS wants to ensure the best bear management practices are being integrated into the system. Thus, we have set targets to reduce both the number of negative human-bear conflicts and the number of ‘nuisance’ bears killed in BC by 75% within 5 years and to have all agencies and organizations using non-lethal bear management to in 5 years (including RCMP/Conservation Officer Service/Parks Canada/BC Provincial Parks; First Nations Police). · One of the goals of GBS is to ensure the credibility of our programs through scientific rigor and peer-reviewed materials. As such, we are coordinating a 3-5 year study to examine the effectiveness of various aversive conditioning techniques for responding to problem black bear behaviour. Community Involvement and Collaboration With Other Agencies: GBS ensures broad community participation by involving stakeholders at all levels (from individual community members to local businesses, to municipal and provincial governments and First Nations) in a collaborative process throughout the planning, management and implementation phases of our programs. GBS also provides information and consultation to various groups, both government and NGO’s (non-government organizations) throughout the province. GBS has been working in partnership with the Resort Municipality of Whistler, RCMP and Bylaw Services to ensure a bear smart community. We collaborate on waste management, educational initiatives, bylaw enforcement and use of non-lethal bear management. Public support of our program has been overwhelming. Our Team: Our team brings a wealth of knowledge of bears and wildlife: we are leading experts on living with bears in residential communities and managing bears in a non-lethal manner. President: Ainslie Willock; Vice President: Wayne McCrory; Executive Director & Secretary/ Treasurer: Sylvia Dolson; Directors at Large: Eivind Tornes, Dan LeGrandeur (also our Training Instructor); Professional/Scientific Advisors: Dr. Lynn Rogers, Steve Searles, Ben Kilham, Catherine Sherlock; Tony Boschmann. Affiliations: Whistler Bear Working Group; Resort Municipality of Whistler; BC RCMP; BC Ministry of Water, Land and Air Protection (Wildlife & Enforcement Depts.); Mount Currie Tribal Police; Bear Aware Program of BCCF; North Shore Black Bear Network (NSBBN); Squamish Bear Network; Canadians for Bears; International Bear Association (IBA); Humane Society of the United States (HSUS); World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA); Whistler Community Habitat Resources Project (CHiRP); BC Rehabbers Association; Y2Y, Bear Folks, Animals Canada listserves contributor. Legal Status: The Get Bear Smart Society (GBS), formerly known as the J.J. Whistler Bear Society, is a non-profit registered charity formed in 1995. The Society is registered as a charity for income tax purposes with the Government of Canada: 87720 6565 RR0001; and incorporated in the province of British Columbia (S-36282).
BEAR SMART - Whistler Visitor's Guide Bear Safety for Residents
Sylvia Dolson
Get Bear Smart Society 204-3300 Ptarmigan Place Whistler, BC V0N 1B3Canada Phone: 604.905.4209 Fax: 604.935.4009
|
