HCTF’s Public Conservation Assistance Fund provides small grants for conservation projects involving volunteers. Projects can include on-the-ground activities such as wetland restoration, reptile monitoring, bird banding, and nest box construction – there are all sorts of possibilities, so long as the project provides clear conservation benefits for BC fish and wildlife and has a strong volunteer component. Applications must be submitted to HCTF by 4:30PM on May 16, 2017 to be eligible for funding.

Since 1974, the Province of BC and the Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation have provided approximately $150,000 in PCAF grants to help implement on-the-ground conservation work, with a particular focus on hands-on, community based and public awareness initiatives. More than 1000 such projects have been carried out under the program so far.

A list of our 2017-18 Enhancement, Restoration and Land Stewardship grant recipients is now available. Click on the link below to download a copy of this list.

HCTF 2017-18 Approved Project List

Today is officially Earth Day, and this year’s theme of Environmental & Climate literacy is a great fit with HCTF Education‘s programs and philosophy. HCTF Education partnered with local schools on Earth Day activities to get students outside, learning about the outdoors and making a difference in their communities.

On Friday, Monterey Middle School hosted a public event to help rid their local beach of nurdles, tiny pellets that are melted down to make plastic products. Because they’re so tiny, nurdles are rarely targeted in clean-up efforts, but scientists are becomingly increasingly concerned about the effects these persistent plastics can have on marine ecosystems. Inspired by their local high school’s presentation on ocean pollution, Monterey’s Grade 8 classrooms decided they wanted to turn their school’s annual Earth Day celebration into an outdoor event that allowed them to share what they’ve learned with their communities and work together to help their local fish and wildlife. The students built nurdle sifters for the public to use, and hosted themed information stations and activities.

Monterey Principal Ken Andrews says he was pleased to see his school’s Earth Day plans evolve from an indoor assembly to an outdoor event involving the community. “I’m convinced that the journey toward a more ecologically sustainable society will be led by those of the next generation who feel a genuine sense of connection to the natural world and appreciation of biodiversity,” says Andrews. “We partnered with HCTF Education to plan our Earth Day activities, but also to embed environmental learning activities into our everyday practices.” Currently, HCTF Education facilitators are working with Monterey’s faculty to create a series of customized marine lessons that will be taught at their local beaches later this spring. For ideas on how your school or classroom can incorporate place-based environmental learning, visit hctfeducation.ca

There’s a little over a week remaining for BC post-secondary students to submit their sponsorship applications for the World Recreational Fishing Conference July 16 – 20 in Victoria, BC. The Conference will provide students with the opportunity to learn about advances in recreational fisheries research and management from the world’s leading experts. As the official Education Sponsor for WRFC8, HCTF has offered to sponsor up to four BC post-secondary students to attend. More >>

The deadline for submitting an application for an HCTF Acquisition Grant is fast approaching! Completed applications must be received by 4:30PM on Friday, March 31st to be considered for funding. Full application information can be found here. Questions? Please contact Christina Waddle for further details.