Last September, the Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation (HCTF) announced that the Forest Enhancement Society of BC (FESBC) had committed up to $1 million for wildlife conservation projects using HCTF’s grant application process. Following this announcement, HCTF received a record number of wildlife funding applications, requesting double the amount that has historically been available.

We are therefore thrilled to announce that FESBC has decided to double their investment for 2018-19 and commit up to $2 million dollars to wildlife conservation projects that meet both agencies’ wildlife enhancement objectives.

Applications submitted in November 2017 are currently being reviewed by HCTF technical committees to identify those that are technically sound, address important wildlife conservation issues, and have a high likelihood of success. A list of projects meeting these criteria will be provided to FESBC, who will then identify the projects they wish to invest in. Grants will be administered by HCTF, who will notify successful applicants by March of 2018.

“FESBC has chosen to invest through HCTF because of the rigorous way in which the organization evaluates funding proposals,” said Steve Kozuki, Executive Director of FESBC. “HCTF is unrivalled in their use of science to make decisions about which projects will have the greatest conservation impact and the highest likelihood of success. FESBC is delighted to collaborate with HCTF for the benefit of wildlife and people who rely on wildlife.”

“Both HCTF and FESBC have mandates to improve wildlife habitat in the province,” said Brian Springinotic, HCTF CEO. “In a time that wildlife habitat and populations are under increasing pressures, this partnership extends the reach of both organizations and reduces the administrative burden on dozens of project proponents. We are continuously working to improve and streamline our application and reporting processes for the benefit of our grantees and partners wishing to invest in conservation in BC.”

For more information, please contact Shannon West at shannon.west@hctf.ca or call 250 940 9789.

About FESBC: www.fesbc.ca/about-the-fesbc.html
About HCTF www.hctf.ca/who-we-are/about-hctf

Projects co-funded by HCTF and FESBC are described on the 2017-18 approved project list.

Teachers – it’s time to start planning spring field trips to get your students outside, learning in nature. HCTF can help with GO Grants. BC educators can apply for up to $600/class or $3500/school to pay for bus transportation, project materials, and leader/program fees for outdoor environmental learning experiences. Applications are due on February 15, 2018 for field trips taking place April 1st to June 30th, 2018. Full grant criteria and a link to our online application system is available here. For more information, contact HCTF Education at 250-940-9786 or email gogrants@hctf.ca

Happy holidays from all of us at the Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation! One of the best parts of the holiday season is the opportunity to give thanks to everyone who has worked so hard and contributed so much to conservation in BC. To our proponents, partners, project volunteers, contributors, Board members, environmental educators and everyone striving to do their part to ensure a bright future for BC’s fish and wildlife, we wish you all the very best of the season and look forward to continuing to work together in 2018.

HCTF Holiday Hours:

Monday, December 25th: Closed

Tuesday, December 26th: Closed

Wednesday, December 27th: Open 8:30am- 4:30pm

Thursday, December 28th: Open 8:30am- 4:30pm

Friday, December 29th: Open 8:30am- 4:30pm

Monday, January 1st: Closed

Tuesday, January 2nd: Regular Business Hours Resume