Now that the bears are hibernating, the Hope Mountain Black Bear Committee and the Conservation Officer Service would like to thank the residents of Hope for a great year. Our partnership this past year has resulted in the creation of a program to raise awareness about bear attractants and coexisting with bears in Hope. We are very thankful for all the encouragement and help we have received from so many Hope residents. The garbage situation has greatly improved and people have become more tolerant and understanding about the issues we face when living in bear country.
We would like to thank the RCMP for their help, particularly on Halloween night, and we look forward to another year of cooperation.
We are very grateful to the District of Hope for providing a helping hand whenever possible, and for financial support in the form of a grant in aid. We are also thankful for the signs and bear proof garbage containers distributed throughout town by the district. This was a big step in the right direction.
Many thanks to the Hope Rotary Club for their financial support, and also to all local businesses which have donated to our fundraisers or provided other forms of assistance. It is very much appreciated and we would not have been so successful without your help.
The FVRD and The BC Conservation Foundation are also thanked kindly for their financial help and other support. We say a big thank you to all of the dedicated volunteers who have made this program possible by donating countless hours to keeping the residents, and bears, of Hope safe. And last but not least, we thank the residents of Hope for their interest and willingness to change old habits.
Because of the many contributions we have received, we have had a very successful year. However, there is much more to be done and we are looking forward to another year of working with the community.
Happy holidays to everyone and may the new year bring lots of happiness and prosperity.
Lydia Koot,
Hope, B.C.
