The District of Sparwood has adopted its wildlife attractant tree grant program in an effort to reduce wildlife-related risks in the community.
Up until now, residents have been able to get grant funding from the district for replacing a fruit-bearing tree with a non-attractant variety.
The big change to the new policy is the addition of a removal-only option.
“The new policy includes a new program to offer grants for replacement and that makes up for the WildsafeBC policy no longer being used,” said planning and development director Patrick Sorfleet.
The new program will offer removal grant funding of up to $400 for the first tree and $150 for each subsequent tree.
The grant amount for replacing trees has increased from $110 per tree to $125.
Mayor David Wilks is hopeful residents will take advantage.
“I think this is a great opportunity,” he added.
“All we can do is offer it and hopefully, we have some uptake.”
A budget of $10,300 has been carried over from the previous policy.
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