Home of the Grizzly

Fernie is located in perhaps the most strategic location for grizzly bears in North America. Immediately to the south is the Flathead Valley, which is well known to have a high density of grizzly bear population. Fernie itself is located in the Elk Valley, which, along with the Crowsnest Pass area is the key linkage zone that connects the population of grizzlies in the lower 48 states of the U.S. with the larger gene pools farther north in the Canadian Rockies. Recent studies show that both sides of the Elk Valley near Fernie are still used by grizzly bears. The combination of rich habitat and a continentally signifi cant linkage zone makes Fernie an ideal location to interpret both grizzly bear ecology and conservation. Fernie residents pride themselves on being able to look out their windows and see “where the grizzlies live”. The grizzly centre will add to community pride as local residents appreciate that there is something globally signifi cant about the place in which they live. The grizzly is an icon to our community and we as a community must be a model community for co-habitation with the grizzly.