Financial support to help make properties bear safe
We are pleased to offer a cost-share program to help make Elk Valley neighborhoods less attractive to bears and safer for people through a collaboration between Elk Valley Resources (formerly Teck Coal), the Province of BC, Yellowstone to Yukon Conservation Initiative, Margo Supplies, and Biodiversity Pathways. Residents of Elkford, Sparwood, Hosmer, Fernie, Elko, Jaffray, and surrounding rural areas can receive financial support to remove or replace their fruit trees, or install electric fencing to protect livestock, gardens, or fruit trees from bears.
We will pay $400 for the first fruit tree removed from a property and $150 dollars for every subsequent fruit tree removed (up to a total of 5 fruit trees per property). For landowners who want to secure attractants with electric fencing we pay 50% of the cost for materials for your electric fence up to $2000 and provide expert advice to ensure your fence design will be as effective as possible in deterring bears. Assistance with installation may also be arranged free of cost to the landowner.
To learn more: kootenaycostshares@gov.bc.ca
