The overall goal of the Bear Smart Task Force is to get Rossland to “Bear Smart” status, which is a program designed by the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy in partnership with the British Columbia Conservation Foundation and the Union of British Columbia Municipalities. Achieving “Bear Smart” status indicates that Rossland has met a specific set of criteria which will reduce the number of human-bear conflicts and ultimately reduce the number of bears destroyed annually in the area.

The process of getting to “Bear Smart” status also helps us learn about the factors and environment specific to Rossland that contribute to human-bear conflicts and how we might be able to mediate these factors. The process of getting to “Bear Smart” status consists of 6 steps (criteria). Rossland has completed Step 1 and parts of Steps 4 and 6. We are working on a plan to start Step 2. For more information refer to: https://wildsafebc.com/programs/bear-smart/

1. Prepare a bear hazard assessment of the community and surrounding area. Rossland’s BHA is here: chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://rosslandsustainability.com/Portals/0/City-of-Rossland-Bear-Hazard-Assessment%202023.pdf
2. Prepare a bear-human conflict management plan that is designed to address the bear hazards and land-use conflicts identified in the previous step.
3. Revise planning and decision-making documents to be consistent with the bear-human conflict management plan.
4. Implement a continuing education program, directed at all sectors of the community.
5. Develop and maintain a bear-resistant municipal solid waste management system.
6. Implement "Bear Smart" bylaws prohibiting the provision of food to bears as a result of intent, neglect, or irresponsible management of attractants.e