Due to an escalation in bear activity and conflict in the area, the Anarchist Mountain Community Society (AMCS), in Electoral Area "A", is taking steps to educate residents. AMCS volunteers are helping raise awareness about bears and providing local property owners with information about garbage and attractant management. The Anarchist Mountain Bear Group, which is a subcommittee of AMCS, recently undertook a campaign to purchase bear-resistant carts and worked with Rollins Machinery to negotiate prices for volume purchase. The group fell short of meeting the ideal number for optimum price reduction.

The Anarchist Mountain Bear Group worked with Electoral Area “F” Director Riley Gettens to include residents of West Bench. “Working together, the two communities were able to meet the optimal purchase price number,” says Director Gettens. “That helped save money and ensure the program went ahead.” 80 carts were eventually purchased and the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen (RDOS) Parks crew assisted with delivery. The RDOS Parks crew also provided an information pamphlet for care and maintenance of the bins.

Area “A” Director Mark Pendergraft says the project was well timed. “Bear activity is always a concern, especially after the winter months,” says Director Pendergraft. “Having bear-resistant carts and educational material available will help protect residents and bears by reducing potential conflicts.”

The RDOS is aligned with WildSafeBC, a program created and delivered by the BC Conservation Foundation with the goal of reducing human-wildlife conflict through education, innovation and cooperation. The RDOS WildSafeBC team will gather feedback from the waste contractor and residents who purchased carts, for possible coordination of a broader purchase campaign in the spring. For more information about the RDOS WildSafeBC program, please visit the RDOS WildSafe page.