What's Happening
From September 16 to September 21, Banff National Park and Town of Banff crews will be removing buffaloberry bushes (also known as Shepherdia canadensis bushes) from the Middle Springs neighbourhood to reduce the probability for human-bear conflict.
Why
- Shepherdia canadensis, also known as buffaloberry or soapberry, is an important food source for black and grizzly bears in Banff National Park and the Town of Banff
- The plant is dioecious, having both male and female plants (bushes). The female bushes are the only ones that produce berries. Female bushes were flagged during berry production season (July through September).
- To reduce the probability of bears using areas with human use, female Shepherdia plants will be removed, reducing the probability that bears will be attracted to the area as a source of natural foods. Male bushes will be left on the landscape.
What to expect
- Crews will be using hand tools and gas powered brushers to remove Shepherdia from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day. Crews will not work while children are out of school.
- Once vegetation has been cut it will be put through a gas powered chipper with the debris removed to a landfill site.
- There will be some auditory disturbances with the use of gas powered machinery and there will be fine chip debris remaining on the landscape.
For More Information
For more information or concerns, please contact Mike Grande, Banff National Park Resource Conservation Officer at, Mike.Grande@canada.ca
