Financial support to help make properties bear-safe

Human-bear conflicts are common in the Elk Valley, often initiated by bears being attracted to private property and communities. Common attractants include garbage, unpicked fruit trees, livestock such as chickens, bees, sheep, and deadstock.

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 and/or replace fruit trees, and install electric fencing.

Bear conflict in Elk Valley Infographic Clayton Lamb

Fruit tree removal

Up to $400 to remove or replace a fruit tree with a non-fruiting variety. Trees can be removed and replaced by the homeowner or a professional of their choice. For every subsequent fruit tree removed from the same property, we will pay an additional $150 up to a maximum of 5 fruit trees per property.

Numerous replacement options are available that provide shade, beautiful flowers, and fall leaves, without the fruit that attracts bears.

Fruit Tree Removal Application

Some preferred options are:

o   Princess Kay Plum

o   Muckle Plum

o   Ivory Silk Tree Lilac

Contact us for more options.

Electric fencing

Property owners can receive up to 50% cost share on their electric fence, up to $1000. Special consideration will be given to larger properties or conflict-prone areas.

Our expert team has installed hundreds of electric fences throughout the Kootenays and elsewhere. We can advise on design for your specific situation, ensure you are purchasing the right equipment, and support installations that reduce maintenance and extend the effectiveness of your fence.

Electric Fence Cost Share Application

We’ve supported the removal of 33 trees on 19 properties since 2021, and have more than a dozen properties signed up for fruit tree and e-fence cost shares for 2024 so far. Below we highlight some of the successful tree replacements and fence installations under the program.

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Example of an electric fence installed by Margo Supplies in Fernie around apple and cherry trees.
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Example of an electric fence installed by Margo Supplies in Fernie around a compost pile

Electric fences have been installed to successfully deter grizzly bears. The fencing uses the same equipment as a standard livestock fence and does not harm the bears, but does provide a shock that startles the bear and is very effective at deterring animals.