Welcome to the Get Bear Smart Website

This site was originally created by the Get Bear Smart Society (GBSS), a key founder of the Bear Smart Community movement, with its groundbreaking Whistler Bear Smart program in BC. The Society has been a catalyst in bear education and bear smart community work, helping people manage attractants and encouraging managers to choose non-lethal options. The Whistler and other programs continue to serve as models for other communities. To expand this important work, GBSS has handed off this website after 27 years of operations. The Get Bear Smart website is now managed by People and Carnivores … continue

Becoming a Bear Smart Community

See what being Bear Smart means for one small town in Montana.

Explore Bear Smart Resources

  • Live

    Bears follow their noses. So the first rule of being Bear Smart is to not attract bears. This starts at home by securing attractants like garbage, birdseed, fruit trees, and pet food.

  • Recreate

    Seeing a bear when you’re out hiking, biking, or camping can enhance your outdoor experience. Knowing what to do if you encounter a bear will keep you and the bear safe.

  • Work

    When working in bear country—running a restaurant, drilling oil, or building a house—how you operate makes a difference. You can make your workplace safe for people and bears.

  • Community Initiatives

    The Bear Smart Community program provides guidance on how to become Bear Smart—for community members and their towns, cities, subdivisions/HOAs, resorts, or other groups.