Commercial Bear-viewing Strategy
On this page…
Overview
Who: Ministry of Forests
What: Feedback and education on a draft commercial bear-viewing strategy
Where: Province-wide
Why: To educate the public on this important economy and identify gaps in its knowledge
How: Online
Engagement Summary
B.C. is looking into new ways to work with First Nations on wildlife and habitat protection. The Province prepared a draft Commercial Bear-Viewing Strategy in collaboration with:
- Stewardship staff
- Advisors
- Knowledge holders
- Hereditary chiefs and councillors
The Commercial Bear-Viewing Strategy summarizes Indigenous and Western scientific information, including:
- How to assess potential bear viewing locations
- Considerations for guide training
- Viewing recommendations (group size)
- When and where to view bears
- Monitor and assess impacts of bear viewing programs
- Provide advice for agencies managing bear viewing
A questionnaire collected feedback on the draft Commercial Bear-Viewing Strategy.
Note: A separate engagement took place on the Grizzly Bear Stewardship Framework (PDF 3.6MB).
Goals
There are three goals to this public engagement process:
- Educate and inform the public on the importance of bear viewing to the economy of B.C. including First Nation communities, and the cumulative knowledge of the effects of viewing activities on bears and measures available to mitigate any potential impacts.
- Seek feedback, interests, opinions, and views from the public on the draft Strategy.
- Identify if there are knowledge gaps or deficiencies within the Strategy.
Your feedback will inform the final version of the Commercial Bear-Viewing Strategy.
Estimated completion date: 2023.
A What We Heard report summarizing input will be posted on this page.
Useful Links:
- Grizzly Bear
- Together for Wildlife
- Human-Wildlife Conflict
- BC Species Recovery Planning
- Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (Declaration Act)
Related engagements
