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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.

Why the task force exists...

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 click HERE

Prepare a bear hazard assessment of the community and surrounding area. Rossland’s BHA is HERE:
Prepare a bear-human conflict management plan that is designed to address the bear hazards and land-use conflicts identified in the previous step.
Revise planning and decision-making documents to be consistent with the bear-human conflict management plan.
Implement a continuing education program, directed at all sectors of the community.
Develop and maintain a bear-resistant municipal solid waste management system.
Implement "Bear Smart" bylaws prohibiting the provision of food to bears as a result of intent, neglect, or irresponsible management of attractants.e

Bears & Fruit

Rossland has over 1000 fruit trees, over 100 of them on city land and the rest on private land. Bears love this fruit and it is the #1 reason bears come into town in the early fall. They do not need our food / fruit - food is the #1 control of bear population.

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Events

Every year the Bear Smart Task Force hosts events focused on reducing conflict with bears. These events are fun, informative and help build a more conscientious community.

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Resources

Rossland Sustainability Commission - Bear Smart Task Force Resources

The best ways to reduce conflict with bears are not always easy to figure out on your own. For many of us it involves changing habits that we would never have thought about. The Bear Smart Task Force has developed a number of resources to help build a better understanding of best practices in our community.

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Stay in the Loop

The Bear Smart Task Force is made up of a group of citizen volunteers with a passion for reducing human bear conflict in Rossland. Keep informed of our events and initiatives by subscribing to our mailing list,or join as a volunteer.

Bears & Fruit

Bears have a biological mechanism called "delayed implantation" such that a fertilized egg temporarily does not immediately attach to the uterine wall until the sow enters hibernation. If the sow does not have enough fat on her to sustain herself and successful pregnancy(ies), then she will resorb the egg or eggs such that she has fewer or no cubs that year. When we feed bears, accidentally or on purpose, we increase their population. This is why we have more than the natural number of bears around Rossland. Unmanaged fruit trees lead to bears getting our fruit and to us losing fruit that we would like to eat.

Composting 101

Fruit Gleaning & Pressing

Every year in September, the Food Security Task Force coordinates residence to comb the city to harvest rogue, unattended and delinquent fruit trees. These fruits can be brought back to our fruit press on scheduled pressing days. Watch our social media for fruit gleaning and pressing days for this year.

Fruit Finder

Love you some crab apple jelly? Can’t get enough plum pie? Keen to help reduce conflict with bears? Check out our amazing Fruit Finder App. All the fruit trees in Rossland with information on types, location, and pickability. All in the palm of your hand! Learn more

Tool Library

Want to start doing your own preserving. Whether its dehydrating, canning, pressing or vacuum sealing we’ve got you covered. Come check out our great Food Security Tool Library at the Rossland Public Library. FREE! Need help with pruning or picking? We have a pruning ladder and a pole fruit picker.

Resources

Check out these great tools and resources to help you on your journey towards greater bear aware.

The Bear Smart Task Force is publishing bi-weekly articles in the Rossland Telegraph in 2025. There are also links here to past articles in the Telegraph about bears.

2025:
The Differences between Black and Grizzly bears
What to do if you encounter a black bear
Be Bear Smar: Time to prune fruit trees
Be Bear Smart: Let's keep bears wild

2023:
Bears had to be killed in Rossland

2019:
Opinion: Bears and Us

2016:
A few common sense tips bear safety

Composting 101

Bear Hazard Assessment

This Bear Hazard Assessment (BHA) identifies current and potential risks that influence existing or potential human-bear conflicts within the City, it is the first step in becoming a “Bear Smart” community. Learn more

Events

The overall goal of the Bear Smart Task Force is to get Rossland “ 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 “ Smart Status” indicates that Rossland has met a specific set of criteria which will reduce the number of -human conflicts and ultimately reduce the number of s destroyed annually in the area

Bear Smart Task Force

Bear Fest

Bear Fest was a one-time event done in 2023 to educate the community about our furry neighbours. Follow us on Facebook and sign up to our mailing list to stay in the loop for future events. Learn more

Electric Fencing

Electric Fencing 101

Electrical fences can be an affordable and easy way to protect your garden and reduce conflict with wildlife.Join us for our annual Electric Fences 101 workshop and learn from seasoned local farmers how to avoid common pitfalls. Follow us on Facebook and sign up to our mailing list to stay in the loop on our next event. Learn more

Composting 101

Come join us at our annual Composting 101 workshop where local compost aficionados will share all the tips and tricks to successfully composting in Rossland. Free, fun and informative. Follow us on Facebook and sign up to our mailing list to stay in the loop on our next event. Learn more

Didn’t find what you’re looking for?

Have ideas how the Bear Smart Task Force can do a better job? Don’t be shy. We want to hear it! Send us an email today with your ideas. sustainability@rossland.ca

250-362-2329

sustainability@rossland.ca

And follow us on social media