By 2009, communities across B.C. recognized the effects deer were having on residents and properties. A report undertaken by the Province of B.C. to look at the issue (Urban Ungulate Conflict Analysis, Gayle Hesse, 2010) led to community urban deer committees that began researching options to control impacts. Public education was a key recommendation of many committees, including Kimberley and Cranbrook.

At the time Bear Aware was the only ‘wildlife’ education program in the area.  Although the Bear Aware program deals specifically with bears, the local community coordinator received calls and requests for information and education concerning not only deer, but other wildlife species. Noting an increase in requests toward these other species, along with dialog with the Conservation Officer Service (COS), wildlife biologist and Kimberley city officials, a need for education to address these additional species (such as deer, elk, moose, cougar, coyote, wolf, and badger) became apparent. Although most of these species are not listed as threatened or endangered, their inclusion in urban and inter-urban environments may have negative impacts on various communities’ ability to co-exist with wildlife.

An educational program was initiated as an extension of the Kimberley Bear Aware program. A brochure on urban deer was developed and displays and presentations given. At the request of schools in Cranbrook and the recommendation of the COS, school programs were also incorporated through Wild Voices for Kids delivery program.

The program fulfills educational recommendations in Cranbrook’s urban deer committee reports as well as recommendations in the provincial Urban Ungulate Conflict Analysis.

Shaunna McInnis has worked for BCCF as the Kimberly Bear Aware Community Coordinator for five seasons. During this time she has worked with the City of Kimberley, the COS, the RCMP, schools, businesses, residents and visitors to educate and to encourage positive policy change in community management of resources affecting bear and human interactions.

In 2011, Shaunna, along with delivering the Bear Aware program, created an expanded local Wildlife Aware program in the City of Kimberley that addressed the issue of urban deer, as well as other urban wildlife.  Resource materials were developed, in collaboration with ministry and city representatives, and educational media releases, displays and presentations were delivered.  Shaunna also delivered the Wildlife program to schools in Cranbrook through Wild Voices for Kids.

To increase community awareness on ways to co-exist with wildlife through the development of a public education program that would include workshops, school presentations, online outreach tools, landowner contact, and brochures.

East Kootenay Wildlife Aware would like to remind the public to please report all wildlife conflict to the 24 hour Provincial Hotline at 1-877-952-7277.  This will enable us to target educational efforts in order to ensure that our communities remain safe and our wildlife remains wild.

East Kootenay Wildlife Aware can be reached by calling Shaunna McInnis at 250-520-0411, by e-mail at [email protected] or by visiting us on Facebook at East Kootenay Wildlife Aware.

East Kootenay Wildlife Aware is financially supported by; The Columbia Basin Trust, The City of Kimberley, The BC Conservation Fund, and Interior Reforestation.

Photo Caption: With spring we need to start thinking about bears.  They will be waking up any time now (if they haven’t started already).  The first bear-proofing action of spring is to put away your bird feeder.  Bears wake up hungry and are looking for any food they can get their hands on.  If a bear comes to your yard and finds a bird feeder he will likely eat what is there and return again in the future looking for more. Once the bear gets a taste for “town” food it is tough to get it to return to wild food.  Let’s keep our bears wild!

East Kootenay Wildlife Aware Program

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