Bragg Creek Wild’s Garbage Bylaw Survey – Your Opinions Are In!
Back in April of this year, Bragg Creek Wild reached out to the local Bragg Creek community, visitors to the area and local businesses to assess local attitudes, awareness and experiences relating to household/visitor garbage, its impact on human-wildlife encounters and being potential attractants to wildlife. We are pleased to report that we received 149 thoughtful responses and are grateful to all who participated in our survey.
Of the participants, 53.7% indicated that they have cleaned up garbage scattered by wildlife on their own properties, or know of neighbours who did likewise.
Background – Reasons To Consider Why?
Back in 2022, a female bear and her 3 cubs became habituated to unsecured household garbage in Bragg Creek. This resulted in the euthanization of the female, leaving her 3 cubs orphaned and without a future.
Although local residents have come to expect surprise visits by bears and cougars, some have experienced dangerous close- call encounters involving pets.
As the Bragg Creek area is embraced by locals and visitors as a valued forest community where wildlife thrives, it needs protection to be sustained. As part of Bragg Creek Wild’s advocacy for a safe and sustainable wildlife/human community, the organization began collaboration with Rocky View County to assess the need for a garbage bylaw – with the goal of reducing human-wildlife conflict. Resulting initiatives would put in place solutions for protecting both public safety and local wildlife populations.
Two Surveys
As earlier stated, Bragg Creek Wild (with input from Rocky View County) conducted a 10-question survey (April 2025) of residents and visitors to gather responses to shape a potential direction for a wildlife-smart garbage policy. Together with a formal garbage bylaw survey subsequently initiated by Rocky View County, the resulting cumulative feedback will furnish Council with an array of options moving forward.
For purposes of this communication, the RVC feedback will remain independent of the Bragg Creek Wild survey results shared here, but will form part of future communications.
Our Key Survey Findings
- 90% of Respondents Support A Bylaw Requiring Storage of Garbage in Secure Buildings Or Bear-Proof Bins
- Widespread agreement that both residents and commercial/public areas (local shopping malls, provincial parks, recreational trail areas) utilize bear- proof garbage bins.
- Some residential support is cautious, citing concerns around cost, practicality and accessibility.
- Education is Key
- Most respondents favor having an educational component addressing garbage handling and wildlife attractants.
- Consideration to Food Attractants Is Important
- 62% of respondents believe food attractants should be addressed in a garbage bylaw.
- Commercial Garbage is a Major Concern
- Repeated complaints of unsecured and overflowing garbage bins witnessed in shopping plazas, restaurants and in public areas served by the County and province.
- Suggestions requiring refuse maintenance contracts or holding landlords and vendors accountable for garbage management by employing bear-proof bins and emptying them when necessary.
- Infrastructure & Enforcement Challenges
- Dump access is limited (only two days/week), making regular legal disposal unavailable.
- Skepticism about enforcement capacity and fear of government overreach.
Suggested Solutions
- Support the transition of commercial areas to employment of bear-proof bins.
- Educational Campaigns: Provide resources to both locals and visitors for managing garbage and food attractants in wild-safe ways.
- Expand Dump Access & Pickup Options: Especially important for seniors and those without transport.
Conclusion and Next Steps
The community wishes to reduce human- wildlife conflicts, with a preference for balanced approaches that combine education, improved infrastructure and targeted regulation. Any proposed bylaw should reflect these insights to ensure support and effectiveness. A full report of the Bragg Creek Wild survey results will be published in the coming weeks. Stay tuned!
If you would like more information on Bragg Creek Wild’s upcoming events or would like to get involved, please visit www.braggcreekwild.ca. Become a member! It’s rewarding and it’s FREE!
