WildSafeBC Nanaimo, Nanaimo, BC (2026)

05/29/2026

Fun Fact Friday: To a bear, your campsite smells like dinner ⛺🐻🍕

Most wildlife conflicts at campsites aren’t random. They happen because animals have learned that campsites = food.

Bears and other wildlife have incredibly strong senses of smell and can detect scents from food, garbage, coolers, dishes, and even scented toiletries.

A “clean campsite” doesn’t just look tidy. It means removing anything that could attract wildlife.

That includes:
• Storing food and garbage in bear-resistant containers or lockers
• Never leaving coolers or food unattended
• Keeping cooking and sleeping areas separate when possible
• Packing out waste and keeping dishes clean

Bonus Fun Fact:
You might hear “bear-proof,” but most containers are actually bear-resistant. They’re built to frustrate a bear, not be completely indestructible.

Curious how they test for “bear resistance”? Check it out here: https://igbconline.org/programs/bear-resistant-products/product-testing/

Want to take a FREE course on Bear Safety When Recreating? Check it out here:
https://wildsafebc.thinkific.com/courses/wildsafebc-Bear-Safety-When-Recreating

A few small steps can make a big difference for both your safety and theirs.

Keeping wildlife wild starts with what you bring, and what you leave behind 💚

05/26/2026

What I’m handing out right now 🐻🦌

If you see me out in your neighbourhood, this might look familiar.

It highlights 10 simple ways to help prevent wildlife conflict, and most of them come down to one thing: managing attractants.

Some of the biggest ones:
• Secure your garbage until collection day
• Don’t put bins out early
• Pick fruit and remove any windfall
• Keep attractants like bird feeders and pet food managed

Most conflicts aren’t random. They happen when wildlife find an easy, reliable food source.

The good news? Small actions at home can make a big difference for both your neighbourhood and local wildlife 💚

👋 If you see me out in your neighbourhood, feel free to say hi or reach out with any questions!

05/22/2026

Tiny, quiet, and not abandoned 🐾🦌

You might start spotting baby animals on their own, and while it may look concerning, it’s usually completely normal.

Fun Fact:
Fawns are often left hidden and alone for hours. They’re adapted to stay still, quiet, and camouflaged to avoid predators. Their parents are almost always nearby and will return.

As tempting as it is to step in when we see a baby animal, human interference can actually do more harm than good.

If you care, leave them there.

The best thing you can do is give them space and keep pets away.

If you’re ever unsure whether an animal is truly in distress, you can reach out to your local conservation officer or a wildlife rehabilitation centre for guidance.

Keeping wildlife wild starts with knowing when to step back 💚

05/20/2026

Looking to learn more about local wildlife and how to help keep it wild? 🐻🌲

I’ll be at the Vancouver Island Regional Library on Hammond Bay every Wednesday from 10 AM to 1 PM throughout the season.

Stop by to:
• Chat about bear safety, attractants, cougars, raccoons, and more
• Ask questions about local wildlife and wildlife conflicts
• Pick up brochures, bookmarks, and other giveaways
• Check out wildlife artifacts at the booth
• Discover nature and wildlife-related books available through the library

Whether you’re looking for tips to reduce conflicts at home, curious about a recent sighting, or simply want to chat about Nanaimo’s wildlife, I’d love to see you there 💚

📍 Vancouver Island Regional Library – Nanaimo North
🕙 Wednesdays | 10 AM – 1 PM

05/19/2026

It’s not just garbage, it’s an attractant 🐻🗑️

Garbage, compost, and unwashed recycling are some of the most common attractants for wildlife, especially bears. The smell can draw them into neighbourhoods, and once they find an easy food source, they’re likely to come back.

Prevention is key, and small actions can make a big difference.

If you live near green space, your efforts matter even more. Managing attractants helps protect both your neighbourhood and local wildlife 💚

As your WildSafeBC Community Coordinator, I visit areas experiencing increased bear activity, connecting with residents and sharing ways to reduce attractants. The most common issue we see? Unsecured bins.

Here’s what you can do:
• Secure all bins until collection day
• Rinse containers before recycling
• Freeze food scraps to reduce odours
• Put bins out after 5 AM on collection day and bring them back in promptly
• Regularly clean bins to remove residue

What is Bin Tagging?
Bin tagging is a tool used to increase awareness. A removable sticker is placed on bins set out too early, letting residents know that early placement can create an attractant.

We know schedules vary. If curbside timing is difficult, consider:
• Asking a neighbour for help
• Taking waste directly to the landfill

Want to learn more about the Bin Tagging Program?
https://wildsafebc.com/programs/bin-tagging/

Got questions or seen wildlife activity in your neighbourhood? Send me a message or email [email protected]

🚨 To report wildlife in conflict, call the Conservation Officer Service: 1-877-952-7277 (RAPP)

Keeping wildlife wild starts at home 💚

05/15/2026

Fun Fact Friday: Celebrating Endangered Species Day 🐾

Meet one of Vancouver Island’s most unique residents: the Vancouver Island marmot.

These marmots are found nowhere else in the world. They live high in alpine meadows and spend up to 7 months of the year hibernating underground.

At one point, fewer than 30 marmots remained in the wild. Thanks to the incredible work of the Marmot Recovery Foundation, their numbers are slowly growing, but they’re still one of Canada’s most endangered mammals.

As spring returns, marmots are emerging from their burrows to feed, socialize, and raise their young.

If you’re exploring alpine areas this season, give wildlife space and keep dogs under control. Disturbance can stress animals and disrupt important behaviours, especially during sensitive times like breeding and raising young.

Want to learn more or support their work? Check out the Marmot Recovery Foundation.

Keeping wildlife wild includes protecting even the smallest and rarest species 💚

05/14/2026

May long weekend is coming! 🌞😎

Whether you’re heading out on a trail, spending time at the beach, or relaxing at home, a few small actions can help prevent wildlife conflict:

• Stay alert, especially at dawn and dusk
• Keep dogs on leash and under control
• Give wildlife space and never approach
• Secure garbage and other attractants at home

Long weekends can mean more food, more movement, and more opportunities for wildlife to come into contact with people.

A little extra awareness goes a long way in keeping both people and wildlife safe 💚

Enjoy the long weekend and explore responsibly!

05/08/2026

Fun Fact Friday: Bears don’t hibernate the way you might think! 🐻

While the term is debated, “true hibernators” can drop their body temperature to near freezing and reduce their metabolism to extremely low levels. Bears, on the other hand, only lower their body temperature by a few degrees and reduce their metabolism to about 25% of normal.

Instead, bears enter a state of deep rest. Their heart rate and breathing slow as they conserve energy through the winter months.

In milder climates like Vancouver Island, this period can be shorter, and some bears may remain active year-round if food is available.

On average, bears can lose up to 30% of their body weight over the winter. That means when they emerge in spring, finding food becomes their top priority.

In early spring, bears mostly feed on natural foods like grasses and dandelions, but if they find an easy, high-calorie food source, they’ll remember it.

Securing attractants now helps prevent conflicts later in the season.

Keeping wildlife wild starts with managing what attracts them 💚

05/04/2026

Nanaimo… bears are on the move again 👀🐻
(and so are we)

Wildlife activity is starting to pick up across the region, which means WildSafeBC Nanaimo is officially back for the 2026 season.

I’m Kiera, returning as your Community Coordinator, and I’m excited to be back working with the community to keep wildlife wild and people safe. 🌲🦌

Over the coming months, you’ll see me out in the community doing bin tagging, door-to-door education, public booths, presentations, and much more.

As activity increases, now’s a great time to make sure attractants, especially garbage, are properly secured. Stay tuned for wildlife safety tips, event announcements, and outreach opportunities.

Have questions or want to book a free presentation? Send me a message or email [email protected].

Let’s make it a safe season, Nanaimo 💚

11/28/2025

And just like that, another WildSafeBC Nanaimo season comes to an end. 🍂

From May to November, our program worked with residents, schools, and community partners across Nanaimo to share wildlife safety information, reduce conflict, and promote coexistence.

A heartfelt thank-you to everyone who stopped by a booth, attended a presentation, or reached out with questions and support. Every conversation helps make our community safer for both people and wildlife. 💚

As the program now heads into “hibernation,” please remember to report sightings of bears, cougars, or wolves in urban areas, as well as injured wildlife or wildlife in conflict, to the Conservation Officer Service (24/7):
📞 1-877-952-7277 | 🌐 https://forms.gov.bc.ca/environment/rapp/

Thank you, Nanaimo, for another wonderful season, see you in spring 2026! 🐻

WildSafeBC Nanaimo

05/29/2026

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05/22/2026

05/20/2026

05/19/2026

05/15/2026

05/14/2026

05/08/2026

05/04/2026

11/28/2025

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