Are you a municipal administrator?

A village that balances its needs with those of the bears can open the door to many unexpected novelties.

READING TIME 7 MIN

Taking care of the wellbeing of bears is an act of respect and conservation, and it makes our town better and more visible. Is it possible?

Remember that every sacrifice is a gesture of respect and conservation. It makes our municipality better and more visible. Is it possible to create a village that challenges the bears’ intelligence? There is only one rule to follow: do not lure bears into your inhabited area with unattended food leftovers, fruit trees, feed, and farm animals. Is this really possible? Yes, with simple adjustments to your daily routine and by directing citizens to adopt conscious, responsible and community-friendly behaviour. Securing everything that attracts bears is the only way to prevent damage to property, to avoid risky situations for people and to avoid making bears too problematic. Bears learn from their experiences. Once they have discovered that there is food, they return to it, this means they can be easily conditioned.

It is absolutely much easier to secure food than to teach bears not to look for it. It is a very rare occurrence to be attacked by a bear in your own backyard, but why play with safety?

Con questa lista di buone pratiche potrai aiutare la tua comunità a convivere meglio con gli orsi:

Be inclusive. Be a promoter of participatory meetings that encourage dialogue among citizens to find solutions that prevent animals from being attracted to the town center. It’s essential to talk, collaborate, and be proactive.To get started, watch this documentary.

Consider the possibility of building community chicken coops in bear-proof structures on the outskirts of the town, so everyone can pursue their passion without attracting bears into the village and reducing individual costs. Stay informed about the opportunities and incentives for implementing community composting to reduce and recycle organic waste.

Set a good example. If your town has fruit trees on public land located in central areas, consider following at least one of these rules:

Use techniques to prevent the trees from fruiting or harvest the fruit before it ripens.
Do not let fruit accumulate on the ground; pick it up before evening.
Assess whether there are conditions to protect the trees with permanent or electric fencing.
Remove trees and shrubs that produce fruit attractive to bears (apples, pears, cherries, plums, grapes, figs, blackberries, raspberries, etc.) and replace them with varieties that don’t produce fruit or with fruit that is not appealing to bears (such as quinces, for example).

Set a good example. If your town has fruit trees on public land located in central areas, consider following at least one of these rules:

Use techniques to prevent the trees from fruiting or harvest the fruit before it ripens.
Do not let fruit accumulate on the ground; pick it up before evening.
Assess whether there are conditions to protect the trees with permanent or electric fencing.
Remove trees and shrubs that produce fruit attractive to bears (apples, pears, cherries, plums, grapes, figs, blackberries, raspberries, etc.) and replace them with varieties that don’t produce fruit or with fruit that is not appealing to bears (such as quinces, for example).

Set a good example. If the town has adopted door-to-door waste collection, establish collection methods (exposure times, collection times, and areas) outside of dusk hours. Promote the use of bear-proof bins near restaurants, private businesses, and picnic areas. Ensure that the recycling stations for non-residents do not provide any access to waste for bears. If organic waste disposal areas are within the municipal territory, protect them with electric fences or install bear-proof bins. To get started, check out this

Be authoritative. Advocate for ordinances that require citizens to avoid attracting bears into the town center by adopting rules and best practices, and ensure that these rules are enforced. Additionally, implement regulations that prohibit citizens from approaching or gathering around bears, and monitor compliance. Not only is this dangerous, but it also makes bears increasingly confident.

Be creative and forward-thinking. Encourage the organization of volunteer groups or cooperatives that can assist citizens in securing their properties. Advocate for a long-term strategy by considering the development of an urban plan focused on making gardens and orchards safer, and explore the possibility of offering financial incentives. Collaborate with your nearest protected area or local organizations focused on bear conservation and prevention to make your town more bear-friendly. Reach out to the LIFE Bear-Smart Corridors

For the future of the bear, every small action counts. Spread knowledge, raise awareness, and make a difference.

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