Editor:
Living in bear country as we all do, purchasing a bird feeder and hanging it from a tree is setting up potential trouble. Such an installation becomes an open invitation to bears and other dangerous mammals.
With that in mind and because a commercial dangerous-mammal-free feeder is not available, why not tap into the community and engage their creative spirits on this issue? This could be achieved with a design competition that meets certain specified conditions and is juried by an independent team. There would be prizes awarded. We feel that if the citizens were offered such a design and practical method of installation, they would be willing to support such a concept. This way those who currently enjoy and support our declining bird population, and those who have been thinking of establishing a feeder station, would be free of attracting other unwanted animals. Once the design had been selected, a package could be assembled consisting of plans, required materials, installation methods and possibly sold at cost.
Hopefully Gibsons council or another local organization might volunteer to organize such a desperately needed workable resolution for both bears and birds.
It would be a truly community objective stating quite clearly, we on the Coast respect and protect our natural environment and especially other creatures who also make their homes here.
Bodhi & Mudito Drope, Elphinstone