🥾 Missing Hiker

Grizzly Hunts No Longer Banned, Extreme Fire Danger, New Electric Buses

Author

Bow Valley Insider
July 10, 2024

Good morning, Bow Valley!

The heatwave is here, and it’s hotter than a jalapeño's armpit! 

In today’s Bow Valley Insider:

  • Hunting grizzlies is no longer banned in Alberta

  • An Edmonton hiker is missing 

  • Fire danger is now extreme

Let’s get to it!

— Fortune Whelan, Shireen Ahmed, Lauren H., & Ben S.

Want to advertise to Bow Valley locals? Fill out this quick form

ALBERTA LIFTS HUNTING BAN ON GRIZZLY BEARS

What’s happening: Alberta has lifted a nearly 20-year ban, allowing targeted hunts on grizzly bears involved in human-bear conflicts or in areas of concern.

Why: Since 2005, there have been eight fatalities and 62 maulings by grizzlies in Alberta. The new regulations aim to protect public safety and address livestock losses. Grizzlies can be hunted only if they pose a threat, are food-conditioned, and are not accompanied by cubs.

Concerns: Conservationists worry about hunting a threatened species without public consultation. They argue grizzlies have a slow reproductive rate and fear the changes may lead to more grizzly deaths. Some see this move as catering to trophy hunters due to underfunded wildlife management. 

Support: Proponents argue the policy addresses the rising human-bear conflicts and protects livestock. The Alberta government cites 897 livestock losses since 2016 as a significant issue impacting farmers. The move is seen as a necessary measure to safeguard public safety and reduce economic losses for farmers.

Details: The regulations include a pool of eligible hunters who must respond within 24 hours if selected. Concerns have been raised about this timeline and the need for proactive conflict prevention methods.

THE DIGEST

  • 🐨Speaking of bears, there’s another Bear Warning! After a black bear charge, Alberta Parks issued a bear warning at High Rockies Trail and Sparrow’s Egg Lake has been closed after a grizzly bear charge in Peter Lougheed Provincial Park!

  • 🅿️Paving the Way! Alberta Parks is making major upgrades to the Highwood Meadows day-use area, including a bigger parking lot, extra washroom facilities, waste collection, and better signage. The project is said to be completed by November 2025. 

  • 🔥The fire danger in Banff National Park is now extreme, and Kananaskis Country is under an advisory. They're suspending fire permits and won't issue new ones. Be extra careful with any fires, and make sure they're fully out. 


  • 🌡Beat the Heat! Temperatures are high this week in the Bow Valley, so it’s essential to stay cool and safe. Here are tips on how to stay cool in a heat wave and here are respite areas in Canmore.

  • ⚠️A hiker from Edmonton is missing. He hasn’t been heard from since Friday, July 5th when he was hiking in Kananaskis. Anyone with information should contact Turner Valley RCMP at 403-933-4262.

Canmore Gets a Green Light for Sustainable Transportation

What’s happening: Canmore just scored federal funding for infrastructure upgrades, joining over 50 Alberta communities to boost eco-friendly and safer transportation.

What does the funding support? 

  • New bus stops for better transit access.

  • A study on the intersection at Bow Valley Trail and Railway Avenue to improve traffic safety.

These projects align with Canmore's Integrated Transportation Plan to:

  • Cut collisions by 10% annually

  • Increase transit ridership by 20% each year

  • Aim for 40% of trips to be made by walking, biking, or public transit by 2030.

Expect the new bus stops by year-end and the safety study report early next year. 

But wait, there’s more: The Bow Valley region will also benefit from three new accessible electric transit buses and a charging station aimed to improve traffic flow in the National park.

THINGS TO DO

Wednesday, July 10th

  • Love scavenger hunts? BanffLIFE is putting on a Community Scavenger Hunt including challenges and tasks to win prizes: 1pm-2:30pm, starting at Banff Town Hall. Entry is $15 but FREE for Banff Residents.


  • Calling all volunteers for SkiUphill x Bicycle Cafe Dig Night: 6pm-8:30pm, Grassi Lakes. Register here to help trail building with other like-minded helpers! 

  • Identify the plants and mushrooms on your next hike: 6:30pm-9pm, Dead Man’s Flats. Join this Eco-Mindfulness Workshop to walk along the Bow River Flats and learn about the biodiversity of the Canadian Rockies! Workshop attendance is $20.

Thursday, July 11th

  • Are you a parent with an infant between 0 and 12 months? Every Thursday you can join other parents and infants for Stroller Strides: Walk & Connect in Canmore. The walk is 10:45am-11:35am leaving from Elevation Place and is completely free to join. 

  • Go to a free BBQ in Banff! The Town of Banff is holding a Community BBQ at Banff Skatepark between 11:30am-1:30pm. 

  • Go to a BBQ in Canmore! Canmore Home Hardware is holding a charity BBQ for the YWCA Higher Ground Project between 11:30am and 1:30pm. Get a grilled bacon cheeseburger, drink and chips for just $7 that goes straight to YWCA. 

  • Weekly Pub Night every Thursday: 6pm, Bill Warren Training Centre at Canmore Nordic Centre. Enjoy $7 Beer & Wine and $6 Pizza Slices. 

  • Thirsty Thursdays with DJ Tenax, Dancing and Drink Specials: 10pm, The Drake, Canmore. No cover charge.

COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS

  • 💩Garbage attracts wildlife (and it’s an eyesore)! The Town of Banff posted this on Instagram, asking Banff residents not to leave garbage next to garbage/recycling bins. You can report illegal dumping online at banff.ca/action or call 403-762-1240. 

  • 🎙️The Canmore Summer Theatre Festival kicks off with Pinetree Players’ newest shows. Dracula: A Feminist Revenge Fantasy kicks off Wednesday, July 10th and runs through July 20th at Stan Rogers Memorial Stage for $20 a ticket. The Snow Queen runs Wednesday, July 10th to July 21st at Stan Rogers Memorial Stage for $15 a ticket.

  • 🍺$6 pints in Canmore? Yes please! Monday to Thursday from 7pm-9pm and Sundays from 6pm-8pm, get this deal at Canmore Brewing. 

  • 📸Discover mountain photography up close at It's All In The Details, a photographic Exhibition by Pam Jenks and Lee Nordbye. The exhibition is free at Artsplace until July 28th. 

  • 📢Get Canmore alerts straight to your phone with Voyent Alert! This will give residents instant warnings for things like heat waves, wildfires and water safety to help stay prepared.

  • 🤱Caregivers and kids (0-6) are invited to Park and Play every Thursday, 9:30-11:30 am, at Banff Recreation Grounds pavilion. Free, no registration needed, for Bow Valley residents. Rainy days are indoors. Learn more about Family Resources Network programs here.

  • ⛸️Another way to beat the heat: Public Ice Skating every Tuesday and Friday between 2pm and 3pm at Canmore Recreation Centre.

CIVIC NEWS

  • On Monday, July 8th, the Banff Governance and Finance Committee Banff moved to cap the 2025 municipal tax increase to no more than 6% while maintaining service levels in the areas of snow clearing, public events, community programming, traffic management, emergency and transit services.

  • The Town of Canmore’s next council meeting is Tuesday, August 20th, and the Town of Banff is Monday, August 26.

LIVE MUSIC

  • Wednesday, July 10, 1pm-3pm: Art of Piano Public Masterclass by Marc-Andre Hamelin at Rolston Recital Hall, Banff Centre. Tickets are $25. 

  • Thursday, July 11, 11:30am-2:30pm: Listen to Canmore’s very own vocalist, Nurdjana, at Canmore Market. Free live music!

SPORTS

  • The Grizzly Ultra Canmore will be held on October 12th and 13th, and participants will run 50 km in five legs. Saturday, October 12th, is completely sold out, and Sunday, October 13th, places are quickly being filled. If you want to join either solo or in a relay team of 5, register for the Sunday race here.

That’s all, folks!

  • Have a cool story or event to share? Hit reply. 

We’ll see you back here on Friday, same time, same place!