We are pleased to announce that the Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation (HCTF) has signed a Letter of Agreement (LOA) with the Forest Enhancement Society of British Columbia (FESBC). This one-year agreement will result in increased funding available for wildlife habitat projects, with FESBC prepared to contribute up to half a million dollars. This will be in addition to the two to three million dollars that HCTF grants to wildlife projects annually.
About FEBSC
In February 2016, the BC Government announced the formation of a new organization called the Forest Enhancement Society of BC (FESBC). At the time of its formation, the BC Government provided an initial contribution of $85 million to the Society.
The purpose of the Society is as follows:
A. To advance environmental and resource stewardship of British Columbia’s forests by:
- preventing and mitigating the impact of wildfires;
- improving damaged or low value forests;
- improving habitat for wildlife;
- supporting the use of fibre from damaged and low value forests; and
- treating forests to improve the management of greenhouse gases.
B. To advocate for the environmental and resource stewardship of British Columbia’s forests.
C. To do all such other things as are incidental and ancillary to the attainment of the foregoing purposes and the exercise of the powers of the Society.
You can find out more about FESBC by visiting their website at www.fesbc.ca
HCTF and FESBC: Natural Partners
Both HCTF and FESBC have a mandate to improve habitat for wildlife. HCTF has over 35 years of experience in administering grants for projects that enhance wildlife habitat in BC. By partnering with HCTF, FESBC will be able to efficiently identify high-quality projects that fulfill their mandate and make a meaningful contribution to conservation in BC. The partnership between HCTF and FESBC will also reduce the administrative burden on funding recipients by consolidating grant application and reporting requirements.
Investment of FESBC Funds
FESBC has chosen to use the HCTF application and technical review process to help select wildlife habitat projects they would like to fund. Proposals submitted to HCTF for enhancement & restoration grants by the November 4, 2016 deadline will be reviewed by committees of scientific experts to identify those that are technically sound, address important wildlife conservation issues, and have a high likelihood of success. Projects meeting these criteria will be considered by FESBC for funding, based on alignment with their mandate. Once FESBC has determined the amount they would like to contribute to selected projects, they will transfer this sum to HCTF, who will administer the grants. Recipients of FESBC funding will be notified by HCTF in March 2017, and HCTF and FESBC will jointly announce the list of grant recipients in April 2017.
Quote from Greg Anderson, Executive Director of the Forest Enhancement Society of BC:
“Improving wildlife habitat is an important part of FESBC’s mandate to advance stewardship of BC’s forests. We’ve chosen to partner with HCTF on the administration of these funds as they have a strong record of investing in scientifically-sound projects that have made important contributions to conservation in BC.”
Quote from Brian Springinotic, CEO of the Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation:
“HCTF is happy to have entered into a partnership with the Forest Enhancement Society of BC. This new funding will help meet an increasing need for resources to protect, restore and enhance wildlife habitat, to the benefit of all British Columbians.”
We are thrilled to be starting 2017 with a new staff member! Christina Waddle has joined HCTF as our Conservation Specialist. This is a new position at HCTF, created to help administer our growing investments in conservation lands management, as well as our acquisition and fisheries operations & maintenance granting programs. Christina has a wealth of experience in both administration and conservation lands management. She completed her Bachelor of Science degree with the University of Manitoba in 2001. Following graduation, she moved to Victoria and began working for The Land Conservancy of BC in various positions, eventually as Regional Manager for Vancouver Island. More recently, she spent 5 years with the University of Victoria’s Ocean Networks Canada in administrative roles. Welcome Christina!
