Northern Lights Winery and Northern Bear Society aim to beat 100,000 lbs of collected apples

PRINCE GEORGE–Got apples?–Good, the Northern Lights Estate Winery wants them.

Once again, Prince George’s northernmost winery is partnering up with the Northern Bear Awareness Society of Prince George to collect apples from residents in an attempt to keep bears from wandering into resident’s back yards. This year they are hoping to exceed 100,000 lbs of apples collected since the partnership began in 2015.

“When bears are attracted to residential areas, not only are the residents at risk but so are the bears, many bears are killed every year because they pose a risk to the health and safety of people in the area.”–Noemie Touchette, Director of Operations at Northern Lights Estate Winery

For residents unable to pick their own apples, a small crew of individuals are available to do so. “In recent years there has been up to 25,000 calls about problem bears to the conservation office annually in BC and we believe that this program is making an impact in reducing these as well as raising money and awareness for the problem,” said Doug Bell, operating partner for the Northern Lights Estate Winery.