The District of Kitimat has resurrected it's Bear Awareness program this Summer. A pair of summer students, Darcie Reid and Dana Amadow, have been given the responsibility to spread the word of bear awareness throughout the community.
"Our goal is to educate the community on bear safety and reduce conflict between humans and bears," says Reid. "We hope to discuss with local residents, tourists, and business owners about how they can be more aware of their surroundings and do things like storing their food or garbage properly."
Reid, a Northwest Community College student, mentioned the program will be on hand at a number of community events. "We plan to visit Riverlodge, the Museum and the Library this summer, and talk to all the kids at their summer programs."
This weekend you can find the Bear Aware team participating in the Canada Day Parade. The Squamish Bear Aware program generously donated plenty of Bear Aware swag such as posters, stickers, and other memorabilia which they will be handing out at the parade.
The Bear Aware team will also be going door to door with educational pamphlets as well as traversing the Kitimat outdoors and speaking with campers and fishermen along the rivers, hikers and more. For more information the Bear Aware office is set up inside the Tamitiq Arena. The program hope to finish off the summer in style with a yearend BBQ for the community and bear safety displays and demonstrations at the City Center Mall.