Whereas the Province is responsible for preventing and responding to natural resource law enforcement infractions and human-wildlife conflicts through the BC Conservation Officer Service; And whereas the Province created the Wildlife Safety Response Officer program, funded by communities, to support BC Conservation Officers and communities in proactively managing human-wildlife interactions: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM lobby the provincial government to fully fund the Wildlife Safety Response Officer program to ensure that all communities have access to the tools they need to protect wildlife and reduce the risks associated with human-wildlife interactions.
Ministry of Environment and Parks The Conservation Officer Service welcomes discussions with communities interested in implementing a Wildlife Safety Response Officer WSRO in their area. In the Sea-to-Sky region, for example, the Resort Municipality of Whistler and the District of Squamish co-fund a WSRO for their communities. The Province appreciates the desire for a WSRO in every community, however, it is important to clarify the WSRO program is an enhanced service to the community that focuses on an educational approach to help mitigate human-wildlife conflicts. Conservation Officers will continue to engage with communities and provide public safety and environmental enforcement services to all British Columbians, which includes responding to violations and human-wildlife conflicts.