Jackson hopes more armored town trash cans will keep out bears, birds

JACKSON (WNE) — Better-armored Town of Jackson-owned trash cans are expected to fill the streets of downtown over the summer, Ecosystem Stewardship Administrator Tanya Anderson said.

The new cans will keep bears and birds out of the trash.

The town expects to replace all the gray cans with domed lids downtown with bear-proof models, marking a significant achievement for Jackson’s environmental stewardship goals.

“Converting our cans into bear-resistant cans means that bears that do come to town won’t leave with a food reward,” Anderson said.

Because bears won’t have as easy access to food, it’s believed they will spend less time in town.

Town bears are more likely to be euthanized, Anderson said.

A few of the new cans near the Town Square will have artistic wraps similar to ones already installed near the Town Square, at the Home Ranch Lot and Miller Park bus stop. Other cans will be smaller and less decorative but will have educational stickers with QR codes leading those interested to BearWise.org, a website offering information to humans on how to coexist with the large mammals.

Decorative and educational cans let visitors know they are in bear territory, Anderson said.

The Jackson Town Council voted to issue bid proposals at its March 3 meeting because the $90,000 needed to purchase new cans exceeds the town threshold for using a competitive bid process to pick a manufacturer. The town is kicking in $10,000 for the new cans, and its purchase is supported by a $60,000 grant from the Jackson Hole Travel and Tourism Board and a $20,000 grant from the Teton Conservation District.

Wildlife advocates see the town’s actions to get bear-proof cans as an important step forward. Ravens, raccoons and magpies are all drawn to garbage, and bear-proof cans keep those creatures out.

This story was published on March 13, 2025.