Bear Smart programs grow the actions of individuals into community-wide efforts that make it possible for people and bears to coexist. In almost every case, it is the commitment and hard work of local residents who grow these efforts in their communities. Some state and provincial governments also have joined the movement by setting up formalized Bear Smart (or similarly named) frameworks that can help guide community efforts.

British Columbia may have gone the furthest in developing a program to help eliminate human-bear conflicts in communities across the province. Designed by the Ministry of Environment in partnership with the British Columbia Conservation Foundation and the Union of British Columbia Municipalities, B.C.'s Bear Smart Community Program provides an excellent model with detailed criteria and advice on how to make your community Bear Smart no matter where you live. A brochure outlining the Bear Smart Community Program, as well as a technical background report, were prepared to provide more information and help communities follow this program.

The Bear Smart Community Program is based on fulfilling a short list of criteria to be recognized as "Bear Smart." The responsibility to manage human-bear conflicts rests with everyone and will require participation from the provincial (or state) governments, municipal governments and local citizens to be successful.

1. Complete a bear hazard assessment.

2. Prepare a human-bear conflict management plan that is designed to address the bear hazards and land-use conflicts identified in the previous step.

3. Revise planning and decision-making documents to be consistent with the human-bear conflict management plan.

4. Implement an effective education program directed at all sectors of the community.

5. Develop and maintain an effective bear-proof municipal solid waste management system.

6. Implement and enforce "Bear Smart" bylaws prohibiting the provision of food to bears as a result of intent, neglect or irresponsible management of attractants.

One of the most important initial steps is to form a Bear Stewardship Committee to oversee the process, delivery, and implementation of the Bear Smart Community Program. These decisions must come from a community that takes ownership of the program and in turn motivates community action.

The Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee used B.C.’s program as a model in creating its own framework to guide communities through the Bear Smart process.

Explore the different sections under “Community Initiatives” to learn more about each part of this process, find resources that can help you and your community to reduce human-bear conflicts, and see the work other communities have done.