HCTF’s Public Conservation Assistance Fund (PCAF) will be providing grants to 8 different organizations working to complete volunteer-based conservation projects in BC. The Foundation approved over $46,281 in PCAF grants this year for projects ranging from meadow restoration to enhancing barn swallow habitat. A full list of this year’s grant recipients is below.

You can find out more about HCTF’s PCAF program here.

Linley Valley Native Pollinator Meadow Restoration

GRANT RECIPIENT: Nanaimo & Area Land Trust

The NALT Linley Valley Native Pollinator Meadow Restoration project will restore 800 square meters of meadow in the much-loved Linley Valley Cottle Lake municipal park. We hope to transform a non-native grass meadow to one filled with native flowering plants beneficial to native pollinators and birds. In tandem with this restoration work we will be doing education and outreach with the public and with elementary school classes on the benefits of enhancing habitat with native plant species for our threatened native pollinators.

Metchosin Parks Holly Eradication

GRANT RECIPIENT: Metchosin Invasive Species Cooperative

Invasive species in the Metchosin area are becoming a significant concern in our parks and boulevards. MISC members made a presentation to the Metchosin Parks and Trails Committee in April 2018 to bring attention to the proliferation of holly in our area. The Metchosin Parks and Trails Committee passed a unanimous resolution to eradicate holly from all Metchosin parks.

Mill (Harrop) Creek Kokanee Spawning Gravel Weir

GRANT RECIPIENT: West Arm Outdoors Club

This proposed project is intended to involve the local community in a pilot restoration project for West Arm of Kootenay Lake kokanee. Local people will assist in construction of two spawning platforms on Mill (Harrop) Creek. An engineered design calls for logs to be located across the creek at two locations with kokanee spawning gravel placed upstream of the logs thus providing good habitat for kokanee.for kokanee to spawn in.

Cedars for the Next Century

GRANT RECIPIENT: Galiano Conservancy Association

The Galiano Conservancy Association is restoring the Chrystal Creek watershed in a 4-5 year project on Galiano Island. The goal of this project is to restore and enhance natural infrastructure across the watershed, improving the landscape’s ability to absorb freshwater and sequester carbon through native reforestation and wetland creation. Central to this goal is the establishment of diverse native vegetation within a successional framework that will result in the restoration of climate-resilient western redcedar forest in the long term.

Gambier Island Amphibian Monitoring

GRANT RECIPIENT: Gambier Island Conservancy

This project aims to determine the presence and distribution of the Coastal Tailed Frog, Wandering Salamander and Red legged frog on Gambier Island by eDNA testing in the seven largest watersheds on the island in order to inform the Islands Trust Conservancy and Howe Sound Biosphere initiative’s conservation management plans.

Xwaaqw’um Stream Restoration

GRANT RECIPIENT: Stqeeye Learning Society

This project will lead to the conservation of Xwaaqw’um through practices grounded in the knowledge of Quw’utsun Elders and Knowledge Keepers and collaborating with partners who hold Western knowledge and expertise. The benefits from this project are the presence of Quw’utsun Elders and Knowledge Keepers, and the restoration of stream, riparian and wetland habitat at Xwaaqw’um.

Barn Swallow Nesting Structure

GRANT RECIPIENT: Victoria Rowing Society

Support and enhance the population of Barn Swallows at Elk Lake by building a new nesting structure and providing access to new nest sites within an existing building. The project will also prevent accumulation of feces (on equipment) and enhance understanding of Barn Swallows amongst facility-users and the general public, ensuring continuing support for the nesting population currently using the boathouse.

Wetland Protection Toolkit

GRANT RECIPIENT: Invasive Species Council of BC

The Invasive Species Council of BC (ISCBC) is engaging volunteers to be wetland stewards through the Wetland Protection Toolkit project, which will benefit fish and wildlife directly through education and habitat restoration. The toolkit includes resources, habitat restoration at Swan Lake in Victoria, and virtual sessions to encourage local action throughout the province. The focus will be on invasive species, native plants, and their effects freshwater fish and wildlife habitat.