Powell River Regional District will consider sponsorship of a program designed to deal with conflicts between wildlife and communities.
At the committee of the whole meeting, last month, conservation officer Sgt. Murray Smith, outlined the WildSafeBC program and requested a financial contribution from the regional district to set it up here.
Since 2006 volunteers had run a Bear Aware program for the area, but had not been successful in attempts to received a paid coordinator position. In 2010 Smith, based out of Sechelt and supervisor of the Powell River office, made a pitch to the district for Powell River’s program.
“At that time we received your support,” Smith said. “Unfortunately, the province dropped the ball at that time and we went into a bit of an austerity period.” There had been 21 funded programs province-wide, but that number shrank to seven.
“We went for two years without any Bear Aware funding and we lost our position in Sechelt as well. We’d had it for three years.”
Smith said the Bear Aware program has made a resurgence and 25 communities have become involved in the last three years, including eight regional districts and a number of municipalities that are supporters of what has now become WildSafeBC.
“Bear Aware has morphed and I think this is part of the reason why it has become so successful,” Smith said. “It involves all wildlife now. “Bears are still a big part of the program but it’s also cougars, deer, elk and raccoons.”
To date in 2014 there have been 390 wildlife conflict reports in Powell River. Smith said over and above wildlife concerns, the two local conservation officers enforce 38 pieces of legislation.
“They have a lot on their plate,” Smith said, “so our response to wildlife conflict in our community is challenged at best.”
Smith said WildSafeBC provides the conservation service with an educational arm. It’s a first response to the lower level problems that end up escalating into significant conflict.
Smith said very recently in Lang Bay, bears killed eight sheep and the predators were destroyed. He said the conservation office has killed 10 bears in the Powell River area this year.
“We are trying to balance the safety of the community, the livestock producers, as well as ensuring wildlife isn’t destroyed because it’s in conflict,” he said. “We are trying to educate the public.”
Smith said he’d like to establish a coordinator here. With such a position, the two conservation officers here or members of the community could call the coordinator and report wildlife problems. Smith said he was requesting a financial commitment of $2,500 from the regional district.
“We need a sponsor,” he said. “The only way we can get a position is if we have a sponsor.”
In addition to financial sponsorship, the coordinator also requires a place to receive messages. With the $2,500 sponsorship and some in-kind help, the province will provide $10,000 for a six-month position. There is provision for community groups to donate funds to extend the program.
Regional board chair Colin Palmer said he was not averse to asking regional district staff if there is any space and if there is money available to sponsor the program.
Dave Murphy, Electoral Area D director, said room in the regional district office was a bigger concern than the money. He said the education factor was very important, and that there were opportunities to educate the public on Texada Island, which is the area he represents.
Patrick Brabazon, Electoral Area A director and chair of the committee of the whole, requested staff prepare a report on the viability of sponsorship for the next committee of the whole meeting.
