Human-bear conflicts are on the rise and no where is it clearer than in the small town of Nelson BC. Nestled in the Selkirk mountains and known for both its artistic people and abundance of wildlife, Nelson is the focus of The Shared Spaces Podcast's first episode. This episode aims to educate and reduce misunderstandings on the wildlife conflict crisis that wreaks havoc on coexistence with wildlife in Nelson BC, supported by insight from wildlife biologist Joanne Siderius at Kokanee Creek Nature Centre, and founder of the Ursa Project Katie Graves.

Research References:

Do bears actually hibernate?. Science World. (2021, August 11). https://www.scienceworld.ca/stories/do-bears-actually-hibernate/

Graves, K. (2022). The ursa project. The Ursa Project. https://www.theursaproject.ca/

Kronk, T. D. and C. (n.d.). Ursus americanus. Ursus americanus (American black bear) | INFORMATION . https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Ursus_americanus/

Lennie, S. (2025, July 6). Several bears removed from the city of Nelson this year. My Nelson Now. https://www.mynelsonnow.com/59020/news/environment/several-bears-removed-from-the-city-of-nelson-this-year/

Metcalfe, Z. (2017, August 31). Huge wolves, caribou and bears once roamed P.E.I.’s old growth forests | PNI atlantic news. Saltwire. https://www.saltwire.com/prince-edward-island/huge-wolves-caribou-and-bears-once-roamed-peis-old-growth-forests-105180

Middleton, M. (2021, August 9). The Beast of Our Time: Climate Change & Grizzly Bears. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9cfuSIlEIyY

Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy. (2026, March 2). Bear Smart Community Program. Province of British Columbia. https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/environment/plants-animals-ecosystems/wildlife/human-wildlife-conflict/staying-safe-around-wildlife/bears/bear-smart

Naturespeak: Skunk cabbage is a bear’s BFF - pique newsmagazine. (n.d.-a). https://www.piquenewsmagazine.com/whistler-news/naturespeak-skunk-cabbage-is-a-bears-bff-2498039

People and Carnivores . (2024). Reproduction. Get Bear Smart. https://www.bearsmart.com/about-bears/reproduction#:~:text=Breeding%20season%20begins%20in%20May,the%20start%20of%20denning%20season.

Regional News Archives. Nelson Star. (n.d.). https://www.nelsonstar.com/local-news/conservation-officers-killed-33-bears-in-west-kootenay-boundary-in-2024-7769717#:~:text=Bear%20death%20numbers%20for%20the,the%20low%20numbers%20in%202024.

Samantha Holomay - Apr 4, 2025 / 10:10 am | Story: 541915. (n.d.). Bears are leaving their dens earlier, leaving room for more human-bear conflict. Castanet. https://www.castanet.net/news/Castlegar/541915/Bears-are-leaving-their-dens-earlier-leaving-room-for-more-human-bear-conflict

Whitebark pine - Kootenay National Park. (n.d.-b). https://parks.canada.ca/pn-np/bc/kootenay/nature/conservation/especes-species/whitebarkpine

Script and Narration: Isabella Phillips

Audio Operation and Production Assistant: Eva Caston

Podcast Artwork: Aiden Stewart