While most bears were hibernating, the COS and WildSafe BC were kept busy over the winter months   graph courtesy WildSafeBC

Prince George, BC – WildSafeBC is getting set for its second season, thanks to renewed funding announced at the BC Wildlife Federation's annual general meeting on Friday…

Launched last year as an expansion of the Bear Aware program, WildSafeBC's goal is to arm the public with the necessary information to reduce the number of human-wildlife conflicts with other species, such as deer, coyotes, and cougars.

The Province is providing $275-thousand dollars to support 20 community coordinators throughout the province.  Frank Ritcey is with the BC Conservation Foundation, which delivers the program, and is the provincial coordinator. "This is a great example of the partnerships that can be created, and of the work that can get done when various levels of government work together."

Ritcey says, "Because of the core funding by the Province, we will now be able to partner with municipalities, regional districts, First Nations and private trusts to bring the WildSafeBC program to over 100 communities in BC."