More than 200 students and scouts from across southern Alberta have joined forces with environmental groups to remove buffaloberry bushes from around Kananaskis Village in preparation for next month’s G7 Summit.
The initiative, spearheaded by the non-profit Friends of Kananaskis Country, is focused on improving safety for both people and wildlife by reducing the likelihood of bear encounters.
The removal of shepherdia, commonly known as buffaloberry bushes, is being carried out with guidance from wildlife biologists and specialists in Kananaskis Country. The bright red berries are a major food source for bears, attracting them into areas frequented by visitors and staff.
Although the G7 Summit begins in mid-June, before buffaloberries are typically in season, this proactive effort aims to keep bears away from the village in the longer term. By digging out the bushes, the project is expected to help deter wildlife from the area for up to a decade.
The work is part of a federal environmental legacy project coordinated with Global Affairs Canada. While the summit provided an opportunity to launch the initiative, the long-term goal is to enhance safety and reduce human-wildlife conflict in the area around Kananaskis Village, including near hotels, staff residences, and trails.
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Students from Banff Community High School, Crescent Heights High School, and other schools in the Bow Valley and Calgary regions have been participating in the work, along with local scout groups. The project, which spans 10 days across three weeks, is set to wrap up in early June, just ahead of the arrival of world leaders on June 15.