Dear editor,
I am writing in response to a March 10 article in your publication regarding a letter to the municipal council requesting all fruit trees be removed in the Jasper townsite.
Superintendent Fehr cited two black bears were destroyed last summer as they had become food conditioned within the town. He cited a 鈥済reater number of offenders鈥� and that if bear behaviour cannot be changed 鈥渢hey may also have to be killed over the coming year鈥�.
Yes, we might not be able to change bear behaviour but we can influence the behaviour of people and be Bear Smart.
Owning a fruit tree in bear country is a responsibility. The vast majority of fruit trees in Jasper are secured by perimeter fencing and removal would have significant negative environmental impact.
Fruit trees are a vital part of the ecosystem framework. In the spring they provide an early food source (nectar) for hummingbirds as well as bees. The Rufous Hummingbirds that migrate to our area in May rely on this food source for their very survival. Thanks to all who filled their hummingbird feeders as a temporary food source.
The risk to the bee population is also well documented. Climate change, habitat loss and fragmentation, invasive plants and bees, pesticides and parasites like the 鈥渧arroa mite鈥� have decimated the bee population. The nearly 100-year-old crab apple tree on my property literally buzzes with their activity rolling in the stunning pink blossoms.
A fruit tree (any tree) provides carbon sequestration. They capture carbon dioxide which binds in their root system, locking the carbon deep in the soil and releasing the unbound oxygen as a by-product. Trees also provide shade which can reduce the need for air conditioning in the summer. Both of these are cheap and effective ways to reduce our carbon footprint.
Trees also reduce soil erosion and surface level evaporation. Resources such as water for lawn maintenance are significantly reduced when a property has shade trees.
Thank you to councillors Butler and McGrath who voiced their concern to this proposal. If there are 鈥減roblem bears鈥� it is because there are also 鈥減roblem residents鈥� who are not taking responsibility for maintaining their primary residence or rental properties. If we can be 鈥淔ire Smart鈥� we can be 鈥淏ear Smart鈥� too.
If there are problem areas, they should be addressed. If you have fruit that you do not intend to use, there is the Jasper Fruit Share Group on Facebook. High School students have also volunteered to assist in harvesting in the past.
Perhaps amending the Jasper Nuisance Bylaw (406) to include proper maintenance of fruit trees (i.e. including not allowing fallen fruit to accumulate on the ground) may be a valuable addition.
Paula Ferguson
Jasper
