Port Moody declared Bear Smart Community after 2-decade endeavour [Video]

After a more than 20-year effort, Port Moody, B.C., has been officially declared a Bear Smart Community, one of only 11 cities to have been given the hard-won provincial designation.

Mayor Meghan Lahti, Couns. Haven Lurbiecki and Kyla Knowles, MLA Rick Glumac, city staff, wildlife advocates, and B.C. conservation officers gathered in Port Moody’s Pioneer Park to celebrate the accomplishment Tuesday.

Lahti said the designation means Port Moody has the highest standard of proactive public safety measures possible, and the status can only be attained by completing an “long exhaustive list” of criteria.

“I am so proud to be here today to celebrate an incredible achievement that has been years in the making,” she said. “A number of other municipalities are looking to replicate what we’ve just done.”

WATCH | How Port Moody worked to achieve Bear Smart status: Port Moody has officially been given the province’s “Bear Smart” designation …