Silver Star Bear Stewardship
Community Resources
Have questions about bears? How to keep them safe? Where to put your garbage? Or how to become a member of our society?
Find everything you need here, and make sure to follow us on Facebook to keep up to date with our latest events, news, and resources.
Bear Smart Tips
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Secure bear attractants: Keep garbage locked indoors, not in your car or on patios, as bears are excellent climbers.
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Keep your distance: If you see a bear, stay calm and give it plenty of space.
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Hike smart: Travel in groups of two or more and talk loudly to avoid surprising bears.
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Drive slowly: Reduce speed around the Village to help prevent bear-related accidents.
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Never feed bears: Feeding bears teaches them to associate humans with food, which is dangerous for both you and the bears.
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Store food safely: If camping, keep food in a vehicle or bear-proof container, never inside your tent.
For more bear information and safety tips, visit the Bear Smart website.
Waste Transfer Station
The Silver Star Transfer Station is located on the left as you enter the resort. Bagged residential and commercial garbage is accepted here for a fee, and recycling and composting bins are provided and managed by Destination Silver Star. The recycling bins accept household paper, metal, and rigid plastic packaging. Please note that the Transfer Station is only open at specific times each week—check here for current hours. It is not acceptable to leave garbage outside of the Transfer Station gates as this will attract bears.
Compost Bins
Food waste is one of the biggest bear attractants when left outside in unsecured bins or even inside vehicles. To help reduce these risks, Destination Silver Star provides free composting bins at the Waste Transfer Station. Please use these bins responsibly—keep them locked between uses to prevent bears from accessing the contents. Proper disposal is a small step that makes a big difference in keeping our bears and community safe.
Bear Education
Black bears are the most common bears at Silver Star, with sightings most frequent from April to October. These bears play a major role in the mountain ecosystem as seed dispersers and nutrient providers, while their foraging habits help to keep the forests clean.
Bears live fascinating lives and we hope to continue educating our guests and residents about them. There are plenty of excellent resources to learn more about bear behaviour, including the WildSafe BC and Bear Smart websites.
Membership Information
The Silver Star Bear Stewardship Society thrives thanks to the commitment of our community members, and every contribution makes a difference. By becoming a member, you’ll:
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Directly support bear awareness efforts in our region
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Help fund bear-proof infrastructure and educational initiatives
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Attend and have voting rights at our Annual General Meeting (AGM)
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Have a voice in shaping bear stewardship programs
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Participate in bear awareness events and programs
To become a member, fill out the form in the link below.
Get in Touch
We love hearing from our community! If you have any questions, comments, or concerns, please send us an email at northokanaganbears@gmail.com.