Wed, 1 Nov 2017

HCTF-McCubbing Scholarship Winners Announced

 

The inaugural winners of the HCTF McCubbing Scholarships were announced today at the BC Institute of Technology (BCIT) in Burnaby, BC.

Fish, Wildlife and Recreation Program students Jessie Chestnut and Erin Sowerby Greene and Ecological Restoration students Alecia Lannan and Ryan Lee were each awarded a $5000 scholarship to assist with the completion of their studies at BCIT. The Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation (HCTF) created the scholarships in memory of Don McCubbing, a fisheries biologist who passed away in 2015. Don’s legacy of academic and professional achievements in fisheries biology and habitat restoration included many scientific publications and innovations in fisheries management. Don strongly believed in educating and training the next generation of fisheries biologists through practical field work and technical skills training. He volunteered time training students at BCIT, an institution he believed was a leader in teaching field biology, specifically the Fish, Wildlife and Recreation and Ecological Restoration programs, where students gained practical field experience in fisheries management and habitat restoration. For several years, Don also participated in HCTF’s Fisheries Technical Review Committee and brought a wealth of practical experience and science based decision making to the project review process.

HCTF congratulates all of this year’s scholarship winners, and wishes them success as they pursue careers conserving fish and fish habitat in BC.

Tue, 31 Oct 2017

HCTF is Hiring

HCTF is looking for a Conservation Grants Specialist to join our team. The Conservation Grants Specialist is instrumental in administering our grants application process. They also participate in the grant and project evaluation process, manage our proposal-tracking database, and contribute to other technical assignments related to program delivery. For more details, please see our Careers webpage.

Fri, 13 Oct 2017

Help Bats for Halloween

As Halloween approaches, images of scary, blood-sucking bats become common place. This is the perfect time of year to join with the BC Community Bat Program to counter these bat myths and do something to help bats.

“The conservation of bats in BC has always been important, since over half the species in this province are considered at risk” says Mandy Kellner, Coordinator for the BC Community Bat Program. “However, 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 31 states and 5 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.”

Community Bat projects across the province are hosting talks and events in association with Bat Week (October 24 – 31) to provide information and guidance on ways to help bats. Monitoring for WNS will continue this winter, with the Community Bat Program requesting reports of dead bats or sightings of winter bat activity. You can report sightings at www.bcbats.ca or call 1-855-922-2287.

Options for encouraging healthy bat populations include preserving wildlife trees and wetlands, reducing pesticide use, or building and installing a bat house. With the decline of natural roost sites, some bat species have adapted to using human-made structures, such as bat-houses. These small boxes have several crevices inside that provide a safe, dry habitat where bats can roost during summer months. “Bat-houses are particularly important for maternity colonies where groups of female bats roost together to have their pup during the summer” states Kellner. “A well-designed bat-house installed in a good location can provide a home for hundreds of bats.”

In partnership with the BC Ministry of Environment, and funded by the Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation and 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, or download bat-house plans, visit www.bcbats.ca or call or 1-855-922-2287.

Sat, 30 Sep 2017

HCTF Board Member Receives Aldo Leopold Memorial Award

We are thrilled to announce that Dr. Winifred Kessler was named the recipient of the prestigious Aldo Leopold Memorial Award at The Willdife Society’s Annual Conference in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The award is the Society’s highest honour, and Wini is the second woman to receive it in its 67 year history. The award recognizes Wini’s tremendous contribution to conservation, including more than 15 years of service on HCTF’s Board of Directors. Congratulations Wini on this well-deserved award!

Fri, 29 Sep 2017

HCTF Photo Contest Ends Tomorrow

HCTF’s photo contest ends September 30th, 2017 at 4:30pm PST, meaning you only have one more day to enter your photos of BC wildlife, freshwater fish, natural landscapes, and people engaged in activities that connect them to nature. First prize is a $500 VISA gift card and two runner-up prizes of a $250 VISA gift card. For full contest details and official contest rules, click here.

Tue, 19 Sep 2017

HCTF Online Application Portal Now Open

HCTF is now accepting applications for 2018-19 Enhancement & Restoration grants. Applications must be submitted through HCTF Online by 4:30pm on November 2nd, 2017. Before beginning your application, please review the information on the Enhancement and Restoration Grant Overview webpage, as some of it is new for this cycle. When you’re ready to begin your application, go to our HCTF Online webpage for additional information on using the online system, including instructions for requesting a User ID.