A bear

Care About Bears and Be a Bear Smart Champion!

Take the Pledge to Help Keep Kamloops Safe for Bears and People

Kamloops is proud to be a Bear Smart community. By taking the Bear Smart Champion pledge, you're committing to help reduce human-bear conflict and keep both people and bears safe. 

The Bear Smart Champion recognition program runs from April 1 to November 30, in alignment with Bear Smart season and regulations in the Solid Waste Bylaw. 

Residents who take the pledge will receive a Bear Smart Champion sticker in the mail after completing the form. We encourage you to proudly display your commitment to a safe, bear-friendly community. Participants (one per household) will also be entered into a draw to win a Yeti cooler valued at $595 (draw to take place after November 30).

Bear Smart Practices:

Bears enter neighbourhoods in search of food. By following the Bear Smart practices below, you can help minimize attractants and prevent bears from becoming dependent on human food sources.

Pledge to Act:

I/we pledge to follow Bear Smart practices to help keep Kamloops a safe, bear-friendly community. I/we understand that these actions reduce the risk of human-bear conflict and help protect the wildlife in our area. I/we want to be Bear Smart Champion(s)!

Actions I/We Will Take:

I/we will store garbage and recycling in bear-resistant containers or alternatively, in a secure enclosure such as a shed or garage. I/we will store food scraps, especially meat, in the freezer or in airtight containers and transfer them to the curb only from 4:00 am to 7:00 pm on collection day.

I/we will keep any pet food inside, clean the BBQ after use, harvest fruit from any fruit trees as soon as it ripens, and remove any bird feeders from May to November (and clean up any fallen bird seed).

I/we will ensure that any backyard composters are properly managed and will avoid placing any animal products such as meat, dairy, or grease, in a backyard composter.

I/we will take steps to educate myself/ourselves and others on living safely and in harmony with bears. I will report bear sightings or any human-wildlife conflicts to the BC Conservation Officer Service at 1-877-952-7277.

If I/we encounter a bear, I/we will follow safe practices to avoid attracting or startling the bear, ensuring both my safety and the bear's well-being. This includes remaining calm, trying to look big, and talking in a low voice while backing away slowly.

I/we understand the importance of being a Bear Smart resident and I/we commit to these actions to prevent human-bear conflict.

Disclaimer

The City of Kamloops is collecting and using this information under sections 26(c) and 32(a) of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (British Columbia) for the purpose of administering the Bear Smart Champion recognition program, tracking participation, and entering eligible participants into a year‑end prize draw.

By completing the form above and selecting "submit", you acknowledge and consent to the collection and use of your information by the City of Kamloops for the purposes described above. If you have any questions about the collection of this information, please contact the Civic Operations Centre at civicoperations@kamloops.ca or 250-828-3461.

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