Recent updates from the municipal housing initiative have sparked a whole new meaning of ‘Not In My Backyard’ (NIMBY), this time coming from Anchorage’s black bear population. This wildlife species (Ursus americanus) has rallied together to voice complaints about new housing planned in the Anchorage Bowl - notably in neighborhoods and areas adjacent to Chugach State Park and other wooded recreational sites. The initiative, which calls for higher density housing and transit-oriented development, has aroused black bears who are looking to limit the city’s sprawl out of political hibernation.
A community spokesbear states that, “We are not flat out opposed to more housing, just housing in areas that have traditionally been bear habitats. We want to preserve bear habitat character.” The bruins worry that high-rise apartment buildings will disrupt their viewshed, pollute their salmon streams, and lower the property value of their winter dens. The Municipality, for their part, has argued that all development will work to reflect bear feedback.
Black bears have been found racksacking garbage bins and bird feeders throughout town in protest.
This article was submitted to All The Anchorage by an outside contributor!