Wed, 7 Nov 2018

Wolverines in the News

Wolverines

Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation is very pleased that one of the projects we support has received a bit of media attention as of late!

Cliff Nietvelt of the Government of British Columbia Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations & Rural Development (FLNRORD) is pursuing a 3 year project on Wolverine movements, home range and habitat use in the South Coast region. Cliff has been a wildlife ecologist for 20 years, and has led and conducted the entire wolverine inventory in the South Coast region since 2012.

Cliff’s project was highlighted in a variety of publications, including the Globe and Mail and the Squamish Chief.

We’re proud to partner with the Forest Enhancement Society of BC to help fund this vital project. In early November, FESBC committed $3 million towards conservation projects that will be awarded and administered by HCTF.

Mon, 5 Nov 2018

FESBC and HCTF Strengthen Partnership

The Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation (HCTF) and the Forest Enhancement Society of BC (FESBC) are pleased to announce the renewal of their partnership to support wildlife habitat projects in BC. To meet shared conservation objectives, FESBC has committed $3 million towards conservation projects that will be awarded and administered by HCTF.

“Strengthening our partnership with HCTF makes good conservation sense,” said Steve Kozuki, Executive Director of FESBC. “HCTF has an unparalleled track record for its rigorous, science-based approach to identifying projects with strong potential return. FESBC is pleased to work with HCTF to strengthen the impacts of our conservation investment.”

FESBC and HCTF first established their partnership in 2016. Since then, FESBC has invested approximately $1.5 million in HCTF-administered projects across BC designed to address important wildlife conservation issues.

This $3 million will be integrated into HCTF’s robust grant program, which boasts a well-established process for applications, technical review, and reporting. These efficiencies reduce the administrative burden on project leaders, allowing them to focus attention where it’s needed most – on wildlife conservation.

“In a time where wildlife habitat and populations are under increasing pressures, it is more important than ever that conservation dollars be invested wisely,” said Brian Springinotic, HCTF CEO. “This partnership is a great example of FESBC and HCTF leveraging their unique strengths towards the shared goal of protecting wildlife and habitat in BC.”

HCTF accepts project applications from any person or organization with a good idea for wildlife and habitat conservation in BC. Applications for various funding streams are accepted throughout the year.

For more information, please contact Heather Forbes at heather.forbes@hctf.ca or call 250 940 3012.

To learn more about the Forest Enhancement Society of BC, please visit their website or sign up for their newsletter.

Projects currently co-funded by HCTF and FESBC are highlighted in our 2018-19 approved project list.

 

Tue, 30 Oct 2018

Collaboration and Knowledge Sharing at Conservation Lands Operations and Management Funding Program Meeting

Lands Management Group Photo

On September 18-19th 2018, Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation (HCTF) hosted a meeting of conservation land managers in Penticton, BC. These managers receive funding under the HCTF Conservation Lands Operations and Maintenance Funding Program administered in partnership with the Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development and the Nature Trust of BC. HCTF currently provides $617,500 annually to assist with the operation and maintenance of approximately 115 significant wildlife habitat areas across BC.

This gathering represented the second opportunity for land managers and other stakeholders to come together in person since the establishment of our new partnered approach to administering operations and  management funding. Taking a partnered approach to conservation lands management has a number of benefits, including the ability to combine assets and expertise, avoid duplicating efforts and leverage funding.

The meeting was a great opportunity for practitioners from across BC to share knowledge, give feedback on the administration of the program, discuss plans for its evolution, and collaborate to help improve conservation land management in the province.

A highlight of the two-day event was the field trip, which provided opportunities to witness conservation land management in action.

HCTF staff Christina Waddle hiking

First stop on field day was the McTaggart-Cowan/nsək’łniw’t Wildlife Management Area. This site is close to the heart of HCTF, as it is named in part for HCTF’s Founding Chair. The site name also honours the Penticton Indian Band; “nsək’łniw’t” is roughly translated from the Syilx language as “a gash on the side” and refers to a historic trail used for travel, trade, and access to medicine-gathering areas. The group then traveled onward to Skaha Lake Eastside, Vaseux Lake, and finally the South Okanagan Wildlife Management Area. Along the way, they shared common experiences, best practices and challenges related to conservation land management including wildlife usage, mineral claims, grazing, and infrastructure maintenance.

Overall, HCTF was pleased to help facilitate this important gathering and opportunity for conservation land managers to share knowledge and experience. We are in the process of refining the program administration details for the upcoming funding cycle, and look forward to incorporating the vital on-the-ground experience and feedback that was received during the event.

All photos generously provided by Karen Wipond.

Mon, 29 Oct 2018

Welcome New Biology & Evaluation Manager Karen Barry

Karen Barry in the field conducting a bird survey

Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation is pleased to welcome Karen Barry, MSc, RPBio as our new Manager, Biology & Evaluation. Karen holds a B.Sc. in Biology from the University of Waterloo and an M.Sc. in Biology from the University of Victoria. She is a registered Professional Biologist with the College of Applied Biology of BC and has held positions in research, government, consulting, and non-profit organizations.

Karen’s background includes work in freshwater and marine biology in the Great Lakes, Chesapeake and Delaware Bay, and BC. More recently, Karen’s work with Bird Studies Canada involved coordinating volunteer bird monitoring programs, writing technical reports, and leading training workshops.  Karen also has experience with the West Coast Conservation Land Management Program where she led fish and wildlife inventory and restoration projects in wetlands and estuaries on Vancouver Island and the central and north coast. While working with other conservation organizations, Karen became very familiar with HCTF’s funding programs from an applicant perspective. Karen brings additional experience in planning events, working with boards, and delivering public outreach.

Originally from Montreal, Karen has lived on Vancouver Island since 2000 and in her spare time, she enjoys exploring wild places, gardening, birding, hiking, canoeing, reading, and baking. She looks forward to supporting HCTF and advancing conservation of fish and wildlife in BC.

Karen’s first day in the office is November 1. Our wonderful outgoing Biology & Evaluation Manager Kathryn Martell will be staying on with HCTF part-time for the immediate future to ensure an effective transition. From all of us at HCTF, welcome Karen!

Fri, 26 Oct 2018

Remembering Brent Gurd

Brent Gurd

The Canadian conservation community recently lost a vibrant champion with the passing of Brent Gurd. Brent was a talented and passionate biologist, and his contributions to the preservation of wild places in BC are a fitting legacy.

Born in Toronto, Brent completed his Bachelor of Science and Master’s Degrees in biology at the University of Guelph before relocating to Vancouver and achieving his Doctor of Philosophy in Ecology at Simon Fraser University. Brent’s passion for wildlife and the environment led to employment at the Ontario African Lion Safari, Nature Canada, and, most recently, as a Senior Biologist with the British Columbia Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations.

Brent worked closely with Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation on a variety of projects with big conservation impacts. He led the Sturgeon Bank restoration efforts, ensuring the protection of one of Canada’s most important habitats for migratory and wintering birds. His other projects included studies of Grizzly Bear abundance in Toba Inlet, as well as managing operations and maintenance activities for the Lower Mainland, a region that includes over 29,000 hectares of critical wildlife habitat, six wildlife management areas and four conservation lands, all situated within close proximity to BC’s largest population base.

Brent was a committed conservation leader, and a deeply cared-for colleague and collaborator. He will be missed by his partners at HCTF, and our hearts are with his family.

You are invited to send your personal messages and memories to Brent’s family here. In lieu of flowers, his family has indicated that donations to The Nature Trust of British Columbia or Nature Conservancy of Canada would be appreciated.

 

Wed, 24 Oct 2018
Tags: Stewardship

It’s Bat Week: Be a Bat Hero!

Bat Week 2018 Flyer

Guest post courtesy of the BC Community Bat Program

As Halloween approaches, images of scary, blood-sucking bats become common place. This year, counter these myths and support bats by participating in international Bat Week (October 24-31).

Bat Week is an opportunity to celebrate these amazing animals and their benefits, from eating insect pests to pollinating the agave plant used to make tequila. Take a moment to learn about the many ways bats contribute to our lives, and what you can do locally for bats, at www.batweek.org or through the BC Community Bat Program at www.bcbats.ca. Host a bat party, attend a bat talk, or maybe join an invasive weed-pull… there are so many ways to participate!

“Bats help us – but now they need our help,” says Mandy Kellner, Coordinator for the BC Community Bat Program. “The conservation of bats in BC has always been important, since over half the species in this province are considered at risk. With the discovery of White-nose Syndrome in Washington State, bat conservation is more important than ever.”

White-nose Syndrome (WNS) is a disease caused by an introduced fungus, first detected in North America in a cave in New York in 2006. Since it was discovered, it has spread to 33 states and 7 provinces in North America, decimating bat populations along the way. “Luckily, WNS is not yet in BC” continues Kellner, “But we are preparing for its arrival by raising awareness about bats, working with landowners who have bats in buildings, enhancing bat habitat, and monitoring populations.”

Monitoring for WNS will continue this winter, with Community Bat Programs requesting reports of dead bats or sightings of winter bat activity starting November 1. You can report sightings at www.bcbats.ca, or 1-855-922-2287.

In partnership with the BC Ministry of Environment, and funded by the Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation, Habitat Stewardship Program, the BC Community Bat Program provides information about bats in buildings, conducts site visits to advise landowners on managing bats in buildings, coordinates the Annual Bat Count, and offers educational programs on bats.
To find out more about the BC Community Bat Program and options for helping local bat populations, visit www.bcbats.ca or call or 1-855-922-2287.