Bear-proof Garbage Cans Installed in Rossland and Trail
By Contributor
Bear Aware is pleased to announce the installation of eight bear proof garbage cans in Trail and two in Rossland. The steel cans were purchased by Bear Aware with a grant from the Provincial Bear Smart program. One can was purchased by Teck.
The bear-proof cans are similar to the receptacles now seen at many BC Parks facilities and also those in Rossland at trail heads, playing fields and school yards. They will be the first of their kind in Trail.
The heavy duty garbage cans come at a hefty price, averaging around $1,000 per can. Larry Abenante, head of Trail Public Works, was delighted with the news that Bear Aware had received a grant to purchase the garbage cans as Abenante expressed that it was hard to find the funds in the annual budget to purchase such a high priced item.
The receptacles have proven to be highly effective for stopping wildlife, such as bears, form raiding garbage cans. This assists the Cities to battle bear problems as public works staff are unable to empty garbage cans late at night when many sports games end and garbage cans are full of delicious garbage for night time scavengers. The bear-proof bins also help where garbage cans are placed near wildlife corridors, such as walking and biking trails.
In Trail the cans will be installed in public places such as the trails around Gyro Park, Pople Park and the fields in Sunningdale. In Rossland the cans have been placed on the Railgrade and Centennial Trails. Rachael Roussin, Bear Aware’s program coordinator, is thrilled to have the cans installed as it demonstrates to the community that the City is taking a lead role in being ‘bear aware’.
Rossland Bear Aware would also like to extend its fullest appreciation to The Nelson and District Credit Union for providing the program with $1,000 for the purchase of educational brochures and posters. In previous years, educational materials were supplied by Bear Aware’s funders; however, with no provincial funding this year, Bear Aware has had to look to the community for support to continue delivering its program.
by Rachael Roussin
