The database we use to send emails to our members via MailChimp will be updated on October 22, 2023. After this date, we will only have permission to send direct-to-resident emails to current 2023-2024 members. We hope you’ll buy or renew your membership to allow us to stay in touch as our community emails are our most effective form of communication.
The $25 annual DRCA membership can be renewed online at www.discoveryridge.com/membership.
The Second Annual Discovery Ridge Community Food Drive is a wonderful opportunity to give back. The event will take place in the Cornerstone Shopping Centre on Saturday, October 21 from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm. All food donations go to the Veterans Association Food Bank of Calgary. Please bring non-perishable food donations only.
Thank you to our sponsors: Kristin Mould — CIR Realty, New Discovery Fine Wines & Spirits, Discovery Dental Centre, and Cutting Edge Barbershop. Enjoy promos at the participating businesses during the event! New Discovery Fine Wines & Spirits will be offering 10% off of all products (from 11-3pm).
We can’t wait to see you there! Please reach out to kmould@cirrealty.ca for more information.
We are aware of many excellent efforts residents are making to protect our special community and its wildlife. One of the ideas that has been mentioned is adding latches of some kind to our existing bins. We reviewed this with the City to see if it could be a viable option and, unfortunately, with the bins we currently have, it is not. Specifically, the City says:
In short, it’s because the current bins are not strong enough to deter a bear.
Bear resistant carts are retrofitted/reinforced with metal or double-walled plastic in order to maintain the integrity of the cart in case pressure is applied while it is knocked over and to reduce the success of animals from chewing through key points. We’ve learned that the frequent chew point for bears is through the plastic that connects the lid to the body of the cart.
Potential locking mechanisms like bar locks across the lid require a reinforced lid – without that, any pressure applied to the lid causes the bar to pop off (as learned in Port Coquitlam).
Other retrofitted “locking” mechanisms include wires and carabiners and similar and while those may deter smaller wildlife, like racoons, feedback from bear experts has found that black bears quickly learn to insert their claws between the wire or anywhere they can get leverage and pull. Or just chew through the plastic.
Grizzly bears and black bears typically used different techniques for accessing garbage in carts, and bear resistant carts need to be designed to thwart both. Grizzly bears will often use brute force – cart testers call it the “CPR method” as the bears will bounce up and down the sides of the carts, waiting for the cart or lock to fail. Black bears don’t seem to rely on their strength as much and they’ll usually use their problem-solving skills to open carts, using their claws and teeth to pry open anywhere they can get into.”
The DRCA will continue to advocate for alternative wildlife-resistant green bins for Discovery Ridge.
Recently, the DRCA was asked how the City communicated information about the Wildlife Affected Area designation with our community. The City replied, saying:
For reference, the City will be notifying Discovery Ridge residents via:
In addition, the City provided information about the designation to the DRCA. The DRCA shared this information with the community via emails to our DRCA membership list, news posts on the Discovery Ridge website, and on FaceBook.
Please direct questions and/or comments on this matter to 311.
The City of Calgary provided us with the following information regarding visits from Bylaw Officers last week.
Bears have been seen out and about in Discovery Ridge and in Griffith Woods. Alberta BearSmart has provided an informative Bears and Residents brochure.
Send us the cutest or spookiest Halloween photo of yourself and/or your family for a chance to win a prize. Email your submission for the annual DRCA Halloween Photo Contest to drca_pres@discoveryridge.com by November 15, 2023. Entries will be placed in a draw for two movie tickets. Please note that the winning photo will be posted on the DRCA website and in our monthly newsletter.
With the recent passing of the Waste Bylaw amendment, the DRCA requested that bins in Discovery Ridge not be picked up before 9:00 am versus the current 7:00 am time to give residents more time to get the bins out to the curb in the mornings.
The City has now advised that, on a pilot basis, while the Wildlife Affected Area designation on Discovery Ridge is in effect, bins will not be collected before 9:00 am. This is effective immediately.
The City states, “We heard the DRCA’s and other resident’s concerns about the impact of not being able to put out carts the night before and want to support Discovery Ridge residents to reduce the potential for human/bear conflicts by following the Bear Smart residential waste best practices.”
The DRCA will review this with the City near the end of the pilot to discuss permanent implementation pros and cons.
The City of Calgary has advised us of the following, effective September 29th, 2023.
To help The City respond more rapidly in future situations when public safety is at risk, amendments to the Waste Bylaw 4M2020 have been made.
Discovery Ridge has now been temporarily designated a “wildlife affected” area.
For details, please go to The City of Calgary: City Council Agenda & Minutes and search for 4M2020.
This is part of a comprehensive approach that starts with awareness and education to keep citizens and wildlife safe. For more tips, go to calgary.ca/bearsmart.
The City will be notifying Discovery Ridge residents via:
Questions and/or comments on this matter should be directed to 311.
Our Second Annual Community Food Drive will be held on October 21 from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm at Cornerstone Square. All donations will go to the Veteran’s Food Bank of Calgary. More information on this event is coming soon.