Whistler is a Bear Smart community. When working in bear country, it is important to keep bear safety in mind on a construction site to reduce human-bear conflict. 

Bear attractants

Bears can be attracted to construction sites by:

• discarded food,
• garbage,  
• petroleum products, and
• certain plant species.

Learn more about wildlife attractants.

Keep your construction site safe

Keep people and bears safe on construction sites by:

1. storing all attractants inside a secure building or bear-proof container, and
2. disposing of all food waste, including packaging and drink containers, immediately into bear-proof garbage or recyling containers.

All garbage enclosures must meet the Solid Waste Wildlife-Proof Enclosure Guidelines. 

Bear encounters

If a bear enters your work site:

• never approach the bear,
• ensure the bear has an unobstructed escape route from the site, and
• once the bear has left, remove any food sources that may have attracted it. 

Before starting construction, learn more about Bear Smart practices for construction sites.