People recreating in the Chilliwack back country have been met recently with some pretty wild facts.
WildSafeBC's Fraser Valley co-ordinator Lori Robert was at the Community Forest trailhead on July 19 and then the Elk Mountain trailhead on July 26.
She's out to share some proactive conflict-reduction strategies and safety advice. She'll be returning to the Chilliwack area on Aug.10 at Cultus Lake with a presentation set for 6 p.m.
"What a wild time," Roberts said about her recent Community Forest visit where a total of 54 people stopped by the WildSafe BC kiosk to say hello.
This summer Roberts has been making her way around the hillside areas and recreation spots meeting folks and chatting.
"You may get a chance to talk to me, or you might have found a door hanger on your door with information. Our mandate is keeping wildlife wild and communities safe!"
The WildSafeBC rep also knows a few weird things about wildlife, such as the fact that diapers are one of a bear's "favourite things" to eat.
"Please don't feed wildlife. It puts your community and the wildlife at risk."
Here are some of the ideas she's been sharing to help people co-exist safely:
• Keep garbage indoors until collection morning;
• Take all bird feeders including hummingbird feeders away in the summer, swap for bird houses to watch birds
• Feed pets indoors • gardeners should pick all vegetable/fruit as soon as they are ripe
• Keep all attractants cans, coolers, recycling bins, mosquito spray bottles or sunscreen all have scents.
• Keep your BBQs clean
• freeze all organics until garbage day to help with odours, bugs or rodents
