Habitat Acquisition

Intake for applications opens February 15, 2026.
The deadline to apply is April 15, 2026.

Important notice: With significant changes in priorities and eligibility for 2026, applicants are highly encouraged to contact HCTF staff before starting an application.

Please review our Habitat Acquisition Proposal Guidelines if you are interested in submitting a proposal.

Habitat Acquisition Proposal Guidelines

New for 2026 – Updated Guidance on Eligible Sites

Eligible sites are now limited to:

• Fee simple land purchase only

Ineligible sites:

• Crown and public land, including all tenures such as trapping and guide outfitting
• Conservation Covenants are no longer eligible

For more information about eligibility and evaluation criteria, refer to the Acquisition Proposal Guidelines.

To apply for funding, download the Habitat Acquisition Proposal Worksheet (Word document) and Habitat Acquisition Proposal Budget (spreadsheet).

How to Apply

Submission of Habitat Acquisition Grant Applications is through the HCTF Survey Apply system. Please note that all applications must be submitted using Survey Apply. HCTF cannot accept applications by email.

• Ineligible Activities & Expenses

  See the Habitat Acquisition Proposal Guidelines above for a listing of eligible and ineligible activities and expenses.

If you have any questions, please contact grants@hctf.ca.

Congratulations on your successful application for habitat acquisition funding!

Your funding notification included several funding conditions. These funding conditions must be satisfied prior to HCTF issuing a conditional grant agreement. Once funding conditions are satisfied, you will receive the conditional grant agreement in the mail and an accompanying checklist. Please read your grant agreement carefully and complete all requirements on the checklist before returning to HCTF. Questions? Please contact our Financial Officer.

• Conditional Grant Agreement

  Please note that your project final approval is subject to entering into a Conditional Grant Agreement with HCTF. You have received two copies of a conditional grant agreement and an accompanying checklist. Please read your grant agreement carefully, and complete all requirements on the checklist before returning to HCTF.

  View a sample of the Conditional Grant Agreement here.

• Standard Funding Conditions

  Standard Funding Conditions Applied to all HCTF Habitat Acquisition Grants
  Provide HCTF with:
  1. A copy of the completed property appraisal.
  2. The signed purchase agreement between the proponent and the vendor for HCTF to review.
  3. Written confirmation from all other funding partners regarding their funding commitment, consistent with the original proposal.
  4. Written agreement that non-mechanized public access will be allowed on the subject property for recreational activities including, but not limited to, hunting, fishing, and wildlife viewing, unless those activities are precluded by provincial legislation, regulation or local bylaw.
  5. A 1-2 page communication plan for HCTF review and approval.
  6. Written confirmation that any subsequent lease (or property interest) to the Province of B.C. or other entity will not compromise the conservation values of the property as outlined in the funding proposal to HCTF.
  7. A listing of water licences associated with the property and a description of your plan to manage those licences for conservation benefit once you purchase the lands.

  Note that some funding conditions may not apply depending on the situation:
  •#1 or #2 may not apply if they were included as part of the proposal.
  •#7 only applies if there are existing water licences on the property.

• Insurance

  Please note the insurance requirements in Section 9 of your Conditional Grant Agreement. You will require a Certificate of Insurance for General Liability: your insurer can assist in completing this certificate.

• HCTF Acknowledgement

  The support provided by HCTF must be acknowledged in any publicity issued, printed or distributed, including signs, displays, reports, announcements, articles, press releases, or media interviews. Further information on communications guidelines and copies of the HCTF logo are available here.

• Contract Extensions

  Contract Extensions Request form can be found at the links below:
  

  Contract Extension Request – Letter

  Contract Extension Request – Form

  HCTF Habitat Acquisition Grant funding approval expires by March 31st of the year noted in the Conditional Grant Agreement (CGA). If your acquisition is going to take longer to complete, you may apply for a contract extension. This is due in early February each year; contact the Financial Officer for more information.

A Habitat Acquisition Report Form needs to be completed and submitted to HCTF upon completion of the purchase to receive the 10% holdback. Report forms are due by April 15th of the grant deadline year. Please note: If you are able to submit your report prior to the April 15th deadline, we highly encourage you to do so! This will allow us to get you your final payment sooner, by cheque or electronic fund transfer.

Habitat Acquisition Grant Report Form

If you have any questions, please contact grants@hctf.ca.