SUNSHINE COAST BEAR ALLIANCE
One Voice To Replace Fear With Knowledge
board of directors
diane henley
Diane Henley is one of the founding members of the Sunshine Coast Bear Alliance Society. She holds a Bachelor of Animal Science degree and enjoyed working as a Veterinary Assistant for many years before switching to a career in nursing. A long time resident of the Sunshine Coast, Diane feels so fortunate to reside in a community home to bears and other wildlife. Diane provides educational information to the community with the aim to foster a respectful coexistence between bears and residents. "The wondrous world of bears continually amazes me: I hope our work inspires others to learn more about these magnificent animals."
irina fox
Irina Fox has a Bachelor of Primary Education degree (B.Ed.) and has been a strong animal advocate promoting animal welfare since 2012 after watching a documentary exposing animal cruelty at factory farms. She volunteered at and supported such organizations as Mercy For Animals, Fur Bearer's Defenders, Vancouver Humane Society and many others.
After moving to the Sunshine Coast in 2017, she co-founded Sunshine Coast Bear Alliance in 2019 together with Diane Henley and currently has a very active role focusing on creating educational literature, bear awareness signs, providing digital and online support and administering SCBA’s supporters group on social media.
yvonne lA mer
Yvonne LaMer moved to the Sunshine Coast in 2011. Having had immense compassion for all animals ever since she was a child, she is passionate about nature, wildlife preservation and marine conservation.
Yvonne became an animal advocate as she is a firm believer in giving back. Showing kindness to animals improves our humanness and boosts our happiness. Yvonne has volunteered for Sea Shepherd, The Fur Bearers, Animal Advocates, Stop Animal Brutality, Greenpeace, SPCA and AngeliCAT in Mexico. Her goal is to make a positive change in the world for all creatures. She joined SCBA’s Board of Directors in December of 2019.
kristy lewis
Growing up on a farm in SK, Kristy Lewis has been an animal lover since birth. Retired (WestJet YVR & competitive curling (sport) — Kristy moved to the Sunshine Coast in late 2019. Driven by truth & compassion, Kristy is an online advocate for humans & animals alike. She is a firm believer in protecting animals big or small, especially with the climate crisis. She was therefore a natural fit to join & volunteer for the SCBA. Kristy & her beloved dog Rocco, volunteer by driving injured wildlife/ birds for Coastal Wildlife Rescue & Conflict Resource Services on the Sunshine Coast. She joined SCBA on the Board of Directors in late 2020.
Our Mission
Is to end negative human-bear encounters on our Sunshine Coast by fostering a pragmatic understanding and appreciation of our coast’s bears that will promote a safe and respectful coexistence between our bears, residents and visitors to the community.
Our History
In October 2019 in response to the significant number of black bears killed in our community during the years’ bear season a small group of compassionate citizens banded together to ascertain the reasons for the unfortunate demise of these bears.
Shared beliefs and a shared determination to create a safe and respectful environment for our Sunshine Coast bear families in which to live lead to the formation of the Sunshine Coast Bear Alliance.
Our Values
We believe that bears and all wild animals deserve our respect and deserve to live in our community in their wild state.
We believe that we should provide a state of safe co-existence for our coast bear population within which to live with residents of our community.
Our Goals
To eliminate the death of any bear on the Sunshine Coast due to issues with garbage and attractants and/or any disrespectful and unsatisfactory practices. Education is seen as key to changing the unsatisfactory and sometimes unknowing behaviours that lead to the demise of our bears.
To replace fear with knowledge through a variety of educational measures in our community; from door to door informational campaigns, community presentations, to collaborations with local agencies and governments our goal is to create a safe and respectful environment for our bears and residents to co-exist.
To work collaboratively with local governments to address development and habitat loss such that; future development allows for wildlife travel corridors and the inclusion of those corridors into future Official Community Plans as well as the protection of den sites and other sensitive bear and wildlife habitat.