Welcome to Fruit Season, the bears have been waiting for this all summer just as we have. This is the last chance for bears to put on weight for the long winter months spent hibernating and they are taking full advantage of the abundant food sources in and around Castlegar.

Although the heat may have been a little too much for some the fruit trees are loving it. We have great plums, apples, pears and the peaches are gorgeous! Let's not waste it. Join the Fruit Initiative, come help pick fruit. You can keep as much or as little as you want. The remainder will be donated to the local food bank and other deserving organizations. This is a amazing way to connect with others in your community; learn about where our food comes from and help remove some bear attractants as well. Much of the fruit is organic non sprayed and all of it is delicious.

Let's stop the cycle! Bears come back year after year to the same trees, if you are unable to pick your fruit due to medical reasons, no problem, we can have others do it for you and we'll even leave some for you to enjoy.

Feeding bears, even unintentionally, does them no favors. Bears become dependent upon human food sources and lose their natural fear of people, once this occurs there is little anyone can do. The old adage is very true, “A fed Bear is a Dead Bear”. We have had a great season thus far; let’s not needlessly destroy bears through our complacency. Please, pick your fruit trees and clean up windfall daily. Also manage your household garbage by keeping it in an enclosed area that locks.

Mission Statement

To reduce conflict between people and bears through education, innovation, and co-operation

For further information go to www.bearaware.bc.ca or contact Chrissy directly: Chrissy McIntyre: Program Delivery Specialist, Bear Aware Castlegar @ cmcintyre@bcccorps.com , phone 365-5492