The Cochrane Environmental Action Committee (CEAC) is launching it second Living Sustainably Series on Sunday, Nov. 19 at 2 pm with a session exploring the challenges of coexisting with wildlife.
The main speaker will be Kennedy Halvorson MES, BSc Biochemistry, Conservation Specialist with Alberta Wilderness Association.
The CEAC’s release calls it a good opportunity to “Learn about our local biodiversity, including societal benefits, some common misconceptions, and how to be a good neighbour to local wildlife.”
With a cougar killing as many as six dogs in Bragg Creek, sightings in Cochrane, coyotes in Nose Hill Park in Calgary, and bears (allegedly) bunking down for the winter, organizers said the timing was right for this discussion.
Representatives with the Cochrane Ecological Institute (CEI) and Calgary Wildlife will also be in attendance and available to answer questions after the presentation.
Last years’ CEAC series included a session on electric vehicles and another on residential solar panels – both proved very popular with curious Cochrane residents.
CEAC president Tim Giese said he’s heard reports of coyotes howling lately, from people in the Bow Meadows area, who say it’s coming from the area to the south and west (the Jumping Pound creek area).
Meanwhile, in this week’s WildSmart Bear Report, courtesy of the Biosphere Institute of the Bow Valley, there have been no recent bear sightings reported in the Bow Valley and GPS data is showing that collared grizzly bears in Kananaskis Country have either gone into their dens or are staying very close to their den site.
That being said, WildSmart cautions there are likely non-collared bears still out and about searching for last minute calories. Remote camera and collar data have shown that some males like to stay out on the landscape into mid-December, and even into January (for instance “the Boss” is often seen along the Great Divide ski trail by Lake Louise until at least the New Year.
With this in mind, it is important not to become complacent when heading out on the trails and be mentally prepared for possible encounters with wildlife.
The Biosphere Institute of The Bow Valley is a non-profit environmental advocacy/ educational group based in Canmore.
WildSmart is a proactive conservation program that encourages efforts by Bow Valley communities to reduce negative human-wildlife interactions.
They also caution in this week’s report against getting too complacent with elk this time of year. The rut is over but numerous elk continue to be seen throughout Canmore which means people need to be alert and may have to choose an alternate route while out for a walk/run/ride.
Their report states: “Give plenty of space to all elk (at least 30 metres or 3 bus lengths) and do not try to sneak past them on the trail. Never approach elk for any reason and keep your pets on a leash.”
Topics & dates for all the upcoming CEAC sessions will be made available at cochraneenvironment.org as details are finalized.
The talk will be at Frank Wills Memorial Hall 405 – 1st St. East, Nov. 19 at 2 pm. These information sessions are free to attend but registration is required. To register go to Eventbrite.ca.
