Bragg Creek Wild

By Terrill Gordon

The increasing influx of visitors and proximity of homes to dense forests in the Bragg Creek area, about 30 km west of Calgary, have led to a rise in wildlife-vehicle collisions and increased residential encounters with cougars and bears. Unfortunately, some bears habituated to human garbage have been euthanized.

To address these issues, a group of residents formed Bragg Creek Wild in 2020, incorporating as a not-for-profit organization in 2022. Bragg Creek Wild has since grown to 87 members with 1,400 social media followers.

Bragg Creek Wild envisions a safe and sustainable environment where wildlife and humans coexist. Our mission is to advocate for the protection of wildlife and their habitats by preserving connectivity, promoting safe wildlife routes, and providing public education to reduce human-wildlife conflict.

The organization’s current priorities are to protect local wildlife habitats amid growing land-use pressures, ensure safe passage for wildlife and reduce human-wildlife conflicts, and teach visitors wildlife-friendly behaviours. Bragg Creek Wild engages the public on these priorities through our website, social media, monthly articles in Alberta’s High Country News, wildlife-related signage, public events, and collaborations with schools and community organizations.

Increasingly, like-minded individuals are joining Bragg Creek Wild, submitting local interest articles, reporting wildlife sightings, offering skills, and volunteering to promote safe coexistence with wildlife. Citizen scientists have contributed to a multi-year wildlife mapping study by recording local large animal sightings (living and deceased), providing valuable insights that will help to inform future initiatives.

Bragg Creek Wild is building relationships with regional environmental and community groups, and is working with Rocky View County on developing a garbage bylaw, creating wildlife-friendly berm access points along the Elbow River, and improving road signage in busy wildlife crossing areas.

Biologists and outdoor specialists regularly contribute to Bragg Creek Wild publications, offering valuable information on wildlife preservation, sustainable land use, and safe human-wildlife interactions. Topics have included the role of beavers, pollinators, rewilding properties, bear-smart tips, e-biking in the wild, and proper garbage handling. Experts have also been featured through the organization’s live speaker events, including Dr. Brad Stelfox, who presented “Re-Imagining Bragg Creek: Past - Present - Future”; Guy Greenaway with the Corvus Centre for Conservation Policy, who presented “Natural Assets, Yours to Protect”; and Brian Keating, former Calgary Zoo curator, who shared stories from his adventures.

Bragg Creek Wild advocates for responsible land use, tourism, and development to ensure long-term sustainability of the area. We actively engage with policy-makers to support these goals. A board member is part of the Visioning Committee for a revised Area Structure Plan, tasked with shaping the community’s land-use future.

You can learn more about Bragg Creek Wild’s initiatives, explore resources, submit a wild animal sighting, and join an upcoming event by visiting our website: braggcreekwild.ca.

Terrill Gordon is an active member of Bragg Creek Wild and resides in the greater Bragg Creek area.