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.

Check out this awesome video from Shaw TV of students from Margret Jenkins Elementary School (École Élémentaire Margaret Jenkins) removing gorse and other invasive plants from Trafalgar Park in Victoria. Margaret Jenkins is part of HCTF Education’s Wild Schools Program, a 3-year program providing teachers and students of K-8 schools with free resources, training and support for environmental learning and outdoor field experiences in their communities. In the third year of the program, school receive $500 towards a stewardship project, which allowed Margaret Jenkins to purchase gloves and other supplies necessary for the students to participate in this hands-on conservation project. Hats off to students and staff for a job well done!

A preliminary list of 2017-18 Enhancement & Restoration projects approved by the HCTF Board of Directors is now available.

The projects listed are approved in principle, but may have reduced budgets or funding conditions. Official notifications will be emailed to proponents over the next few weeks, and will include approved budget, Board and technical comments and funding conditions (if applicable).

Successful proponents will be mailed a Conditional Grant Agreement to be signed and returned to HCTF. A sample Conditional Grant Agreement is available here.

Please be aware that until both you and HCTF have reviewed, accepted and signed the Conditional Grant Agreement, there is no confirmation of funding and no legal commitment in place.

Congratulations to all successful proponents! To those who were not funded this time, thank you for your application. The next opportunity to apply for HCTF Enhancement and Restoration grants will be fall of 2017.