Managing human garbage around homes, farms, landfills and dumps in a way that does not attract animals is integral for the coexistence of humans and wildlife. Good site sanitation and the proper disposal of human garbage is important for people living near or travelling through wildlife habitat.

Fortunately, this problem is easily resolved, and several projects in the Yellowstone to Yukon region are making town dumps and landfills less attractive to wildlife.

National Wildlife Federation and Defenders of Wildlife
In the lower Yaak ecosystem of southern Montana, the National Wildlife Federation and Defenders of Wildlife have been working together on a multi-year project to consolidate several dump sites into one location. Besides giving animals fewer places to feast on human garbage, the project also involves surrounding the new site with electric fencing to keep bears and other wildlife out. This encourages wildlife to stay wild and rely on natural food sources.

Crowsnest Pass Conservation Society
In Alberta, the Crowsnest Pass Conservation Society is working to provide residents with bear-proof bins in order to decrease interactions with wildlife. These bear-proof bins are similar in size to residential garbage containers, but are impenetrable to any bear. This bin-distribution program, part of an intensive public-education effort, is one of many which addresses bear-human conflict in the Crowsnest Pass.

Sanitation Working Group
The Sanitation Working Group is a collaborative effort involving Y2Y, the National Wildlife Federation, Defenders of Wildlife, and the Yaak Valley Forest Council. These environmental organizations have partnered with the US Fish and Wildlife Service, Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, and Montana’s Lincoln County to address sanitation issues in the area. The group worked with Plum Creek Timber and Pyramid Lumber to distribute a bear aware brochure to residents of Lincoln and Sanders Counties, and also helped fund improvements to three dumpster sites in the Cabinet Yaak Ecosystem. At the dumpster sites, electric fencing was installed and a staff person was hired to educate residents on the proper disposal of garbage.