Community coordinator to deliver initiatives and interactive experiences throughout the region
Pemberton, BC – For the fifth year, the Squamish-Lillooet Regional District (SLRD) is partnering with WildSafeBC to promote wildlife awareness in communities throughout the region.
The BC Conservation Foundation partners with funding partners and local communities like the SLRD throughout British Columbia to hire part-time coordinators in specific regions to deliver WildSafeBC’s Community Program. The community coordinator will engage within the SLRD with various educational and interactive tactics to increase community knowledge regarding local wildlife and human-wildlife conflict issues.
“We’re pleased to be able to work with WildSafeBC to offer this important educational program in the SLRD,” said Russell Mack, Chair of the Electoral Area Directors (EAD) Committee and Electoral Area C Director. “The delivery of education and awareness within the SLRD’s communities empowers residents and reinforces their responsibility to manage the presence of wildlife in our communities.”
This year, Jennifer Chambler, an experienced ecologist, joins the team as the SLRD’s WildSafeBC community coordinator. With an extensive background in ecology and conservation, Chambler is well-equipped to deliver various programs, including door-to-door outreach, wildlife awareness and safety presentations, bear spray workshops, electric fencing support, and other public outreach activities.
“I am currently based in Pemberton and looking forward to working throughout the SLRD to help educate on wildlife awareness, safety considerations and management options,” said Chambler. “I have been an ecologist for the last seven years and worked on various conservation projects. “I am very aware of the increasing risks of human-wildlife conflict and the positive effect that proactive measures and education can have.”
Garbage, compost, and recycling are leading causes of human-bear conflicts in the SLRD. WildSafeBC’s Wildlife Alert Reporting Program (WARP) data shows areas where wildlife has been reported, indicating to residents and users that attractants such as garbage, compost, and recycling should be secured to keep those animals from staying in and around the community. The SLRD has a Wildlife Attractant bylaw regulating the proper management of wildlife attractants.
Residents are reminded to store waste in a wildlife-resistant container or enclosure on the property suitable for the amount of refuse generated and kept clean, secure, and in good working condition to prevent bears from accessing residential waste. These containers should only be placed on the curb on the morning of collection and during collection hours. If residents are supplied with a bear-resistant bin, please note these are bear-resistant, not bear-proof. If indoor storage is not possible, bins should be secured by a chain to a solid post or other fixed object to prevent them from being dragged away.
WildSafeBC and the SLRD are committed to ongoing support and communication as the season progresses. Access wildlife activity news and tips on Facebook @WildSafeBCSquamishLillooetRD. Wildlife conflicts can be reported to the Conservation Officer Service at 1-877-952-7277. Residents should also report bear, cougar, coyote, or wolf sightings in urban areas.
WildSafeBC is grateful for the generous support from its funders, including the SLRD, the British Columbia Conservation Foundation and the BC Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy.
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About the Squamish-Lillooet Regional District
Located in southwestern BC, the Squamish-Lillooet Regional District (SLRD) is a local government federation consisting of four member municipalities (the District of Lillooet, the District of Squamish, the Village of Pemberton and the Resort Municipality of Whistler) and four unincorporated, rural electoral areas (A, B, C, and D). Headquartered in Pemberton, which is the approximate geographic centre of the region, the SLRD delivers a wide range of local, regional and sub-regional services to approximately 50,496 residents (2021 Census as certified by the Minister of Municipal Affairs).
The Squamish-Lillooet Regional District is found within the traditional territories of several First Nations, including the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish), St'át'imc and Líl̓wat. Small parts of the SLRD also overlap with the traditional territories of the Stó:lō, Tsleil-Waututh, Nlaka'pamux, Tsilhqot'in, and Secwepemc Nations. While the SLRD does not provide direct services to the residents of the First Nations communities located within the region, the organization is committed to enhancing relations with the Indigenous communities and First Nations within whose territories the SLRD operates.
Media Contact:
SLRD Communications
Telephone: (604) 894-6371 x260
Email: communications@slrd.bc.ca
Communications and Engagement
Squamish-Lillooet Regional District
Phone: 604.894.6371 x260
Email: communications@slrd.bc.ca