Bears are not yet hunkered down for the winter. The Northern Bear Awareness Society is likewise almost in sleep mode, but still out doing a few last activities.
The most important one is warning local residents to be awake to the dangers of the hungry bruins still at large.
"People should not assume bears are asleep, some are still out there," said Laura Bass, the Bear Aware community co-ordinator. "Even though there is snow and it looks like winter is here, they are looking to build up those fat layers as much as they can for hibernation, so now more than ever you have to be aware of your attractants."
The society spent the past six months promoting public awareness about what those attractants are (unclean barbecues, insecure garbage, overripe fruit on the ground around fruit trees, unattended pet food outside and so on), and providing awareness to those who were noncompliant with these things and potentially drawing bears into a neighbourhood.
"It was a great year. We reached a lot of people, we were out in the community a lot, the fruit exchange went really well, we did a lot of canvassing," Bass said. "Our public presentations were a huge part of our activities. We got out to 22 schools," plus UNBC, summer camps, and other groups interested in learning about reducing bear-human conflicts.
Now it is time to close the program for the year and raise some money to start next spring off effectively. A fundraising event is scheduled for Nov. 16. Everyone is invited to a community pub night at the Westwood Pub starting at 7 p.m. Tickets are $10, which gets you a drink and a door prize ticket. There will also be a silent auction, raffles, and karaoke. Donations for the auctions and raffles are requested.
Call 778-281-2327, or email [email protected] for tickets or more information.
