It’s time to submit your applications for PCAF funding! The Public Conservation Assistance Fund provides small grants to organizations and individuals who have a great idea for a conservation project, but need financial assistance to make it happen. Projects can include activities such as wetland restoration, reptile monitoring, bird banding, and bat 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. Application instructions and forms are available here. Applications must be submitted to HCTF by 4:30PM on May 16, 2016 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.

Attention BC post-secondary students: applications are now being accepted for the John B. Holdstock scholarship. Applicants must be residents of British Columbia that will be attending university or college in Fall of 2016. Students must be enrolled in the sciences or a related outdoors field, hold a GPA of 3.5 (B) or better, and provide evidence of their participation in fish, wildlife and habitat conservation in BC. Applicants must also submit a brief essay on their interest in pursuing fish, wildlife and habitat conservation as a part of their academic studies.

About the John B Holdstock Scholarship

John Holdstock was an avid outdoorsman who was committed to conservation. John played an active role in numerous BC conservation organizations, and was well-respected as a recreationalist, conservationist, volunteer and friend. The John B. Holdstock scholarship was created following John’s passing on December 25, 2010 with contributions from the BC Conservation Foundation, The Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation, The Nature Trust of BC and The Okanagan Region Wildlife Heritage Society and others who wished to see John’s passion and commitment sustained by the next generation of conservation professionals.

The deadline for submitting your completed application for HCTF acquisition funding is March 31^st. Application forms and information are available here. To read about previous HCTF acquisition grant recipients and the conservation properties secured with this funding, see our Conservation Land Acquisitions webpage.

The HCTF Board met last weekend to review and make funding decisions on over 170 enhancement proposals seeking funding for 2016-17.