News Archives - Page 4 of 55 - Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation

Tue, 16 Apr 2024

Announcing $7.5M for Conservation in B.C.

6-227 Restoring Whitebark Pine Ecosystems to Enhance Subalpine Bear Habitat - Smoke Mountain cone collection

The Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation is proud to release the 2024-25 approved project list.

Over $7.5 million in funding has been awarded to 123 projects that will benefit fish, wildlife, and their habitats across B.C.

Included in the list are the approved projects under the Fish & Wildlife Grant, Caribou Habitat Restoration Fund, and Quality Waters program, as well as the provincially-led Conservation Lands and Fisheries O&M programs.

3-251: Interior Fraser Wild Steelhead Conservation – Steelhead tagging for spawning population estimate in the Nicola watershed.

Projects include:

$91,500 to restore the wetland habitat at a former sawmill site in the heart of the salmonid migratory corridor for the watersheds of two major rivers in Comox Valley
$152,001 to capture and tag juvenile White Sturgeon in the Fraser River to improve understanding of distribution abundance, recruitment trends, and growth rates
$45,890 to analyze data on small mammal and vegetation communities in Thompson-Nicola grasslands to better manage BC’s threatened grassland ecosystems
$83,380 to enhance 112 hectares of elk winter range in Upper Kicking Horse Canyon
$47,700 to implement recommendations from the Middle and Upper Fraser Bull Trout Management Plan to support sustainable angling and long-term stock conservation
$37,909 to understand habitat use, movement ecology, and survival of Tawéi (Tlingit word for thinhorn sheep) near Atlin to support sustainable stewardship of the species
$183,906 for functional and ecological restoration techniques to add an additional 2,358 hectares to intact areas of habitat within the Klinse-Za caribou herd range
$30,480 for the restoration of riparian black cottonwood forests in the Kettle River watershed

7-540: Prescribed Burns for Wild Sheep Enhancement in Northeastern BC – Implementation of prescribed burn for Stone’s sheep habitat.

To see the list of HCTF-funded projects for 2024-25, click here (PDF download).

Please note that this list does not include Action, Capacity, or Community Grants, for which notifications will go out in the summer. Invasive Mussel Monitoring Grant applicants will be notified in May.

Update May 10th, 2024: The Approved Project List now includes 2024-25 Invasive Mussel Monitoring Grants, Highland Valley Enhancement Fund projects, and funding towards the Invasive Mussel Defense Program. There are now a total of 136 projects and over $7.9M in funding.

Wed, 10 Jan 2024

Tags: Conservation Lands O&M / News / Photography

Announcing the 2023 HCTF Photo Contest Winners

The results are in for the 2023 HCTF Photo Contest!

This year the contest returned to 3 categories: Wildlife or Freshwater Fish, Landscapes, and Conservation Lands. We received photos from all across our beautiful province, showcasing a broad range of species and habitats. Thank you to everyone who submitted a photo, and congratulations to our winners!

Category: Karen Wipond Award (Conservation Lands)

Angela captured this barred owl taking off in Buttertubs Marsh, a reclaimed urban wetland conservation land near Nanaimo BC. Barred owls often pose a threat to other owl species, and are considered invasive.

Ray took this beautiful image at Cheam Lake – Popkum, a 56 hectare biodiversity hotspot east of Chilliwack.

More info on Conservation Lands

Photographs for the Conservation Lands (Karen Wipond Award) category must have been taken within the boundaries of a provincially administered Conservation Lands area in the province of British Columbia (see map below). While we encourage photographers and all nature-minded individuals to explore BC’s Conservation Lands we recommend that you research the Conservation Land you intend to visit beforehand, obey all safety requirements, public access best practices, and ethical guidelines when taking pictures of wildlife (for recommended ethical wildlife photography see the Audubon Society’s Guide). Conservation Lands are protected and managed for the purposes of conserving important habitat and ecosystem functions, and it is important that visitors do their part to maintain these sites for generations to come.

Conservation Lands Map

Category: Wildlife or Freshwater Fish

This captivating photo also highlights invasive species awareness. While a seemingly cute creature, this green frog is not native to the location where it was spotted near Victoria. For more info on invasive species of BC, visit bcinvasives.ca. Report sightings of invasive species via the Report Invasive Species app or online at gov.bc.ca/industry/report-an-invasive-species.

Jon snapped this beautiful lynx photo in the Taiga Plains eco-region of northeast BC, near Fort Nelson.

Category: Landscape

Richard’s incredible photo was taken in upper Thetis Lake, near View Royal BC. A brief cold snap formed a thin layer of flat ice on the lake which provided a beautiful background for a lone arbutus.

Alison’s beautiful photo, taken in the Silent Pass area near Golden, has the Spillimacheen Glacier in the background and red paintbrush and Arnica blooms in the foreground.

Tue, 9 Jan 2024

Tags: Acquisition / Habitat Acquisition / News

Collaborative Conservation on Galiano Island

Quadra Hill Cedar Grove - Photo by Galiano Conservancy Association

Saving Rare Habitats on Galiano Island – Two Major Wins for Environmental Conservation

The Galiano Conservancy Association (GCA), an environmental charity founded in 1989 as one of BC’s first community-based land trusts, works to protect, steward and restore Galiano Island ecosystems by creating a network of natural areas where a healthy environment, learning and a love of nature flourish. The recent protection of Quadra Hill, an ecologically significant property on Galiano Island, marks a milestone in the region’s conservation efforts. Key partnerships developed over several years were vital in completing this acquisition.

Quadra Hill: Bridging Protected Areas for Enhanced Biodiversity
Quadra Hill is a 47-ha parcel of coastal Douglas-fir forest long identified as a ‘missing piece’ in the corridor of protected habitats connecting Trincomali Channel to Georgia Strait on Galiano Island known as the Mid-Island Protected Areas Network . The ecologically diverse property was listed for sale by a motivated seller in late 2021, and has been owned for the past two years by the Aqueduct Foundation, one of the largest grantmakers in Canada, which agreed to step in as an interim owner at the GCA’s request, in order to provide temporary protection until adequate funds could be raised to purchase the land for conservation purposes. This project was undertaken with the financial support of the Government of Canada through the federal Department of Environment and Climate Change, and an initial opportunity grant from the Islands Trust Conservancy. Generous contributions from Sitka Foundation, the Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation and private donors enabled GCA to complete this important land acquisition.

The ecological value of Quadra Hill is hard to overstate. It is home to rare and varied ecosystems, is part of the upper catchment area for the Great Beaver Swamp Nature Reserve and is important for groundwater recharge. Because it is surrounded by existing conservation areas and a common-property forest, the protection of Quadra Hill enhances habitat connectivity and supports a diversity of plant and animal communities across three watersheds.

The Quadra Hill property also plays an important role in climate action, storing an estimated 40,000 tons of carbon dioxide equivalents, and is expected to sequester an additional 8,000 tons over the next 30 years.

Quadra Hill in the Spring – Photo by James LaBountry

Mt Sutil Extension: Preserving Imperiled Garry Oak Ecosystems
The GCA also recently partnered with the BC Parks Foundation (BCPF), Sitka Foundation and an anonymous donor to protect 4.2 ha of coastal Douglas-fir forest and sensitive Garry Oak bluff habitat neighbouring the existing Mt. Sutil Nature Sanctuary (GCA’s first land acquisition). Garry oak and associated ecosystems are home to over 100 provincially-listed species at risk. The remote and relatively undisturbed meadows and bluffs of Mount Sutil have been identified as a priority site for conserving these rare habitats, and are a testament to the ecological richness of Galiano Island.

A New Chapter in Island Conservation
These two landmark acquisitions enhance biodiversity, increase habitat connectivity, support climate action, and protect several provincially-listed species at risk. They also mark a first in GCA history, as the valuable partnerships involved allowed the GCA to protect these lands without a public fundraising campaign, highlighting the power of collaborative conservation.

As we celebrate the protection of Quadra Hill and the Mount Sutil Extension, the GCA recognizes and respects the enduring relationship Penelakut, Hwlitsum, Tsawwassen, Lelum Sar Augh Ta Naogh and other Coast Salish peoples have to these lands as part of their traditional territories. As stewards of these new conservation areas, the Galiano Conservancy is committed to honouring and learning from the rich cultural heritage and ecological wisdom of the First Nations whose ancestral connections to these lands continue to this day.

About the Galiano Conservancy Association
The Galiano Conservancy Association is committed to preserving the ecological balance and unique natural heritage of BC’s Southern Gulf Islands. This is accomplished through environmental education, land stewardship, ecological restoration, biodiversity monitoring & conservation, and demonstrating sustainable living practices within the Galiano community and beyond.

For more information, please contact:
info@galianoconservancy.ca
Phone: 250-539-2424

Thu, 4 Jan 2024

Tags: News

Double the Impact

Photo by Habitat Acquisition Trust

Every year HCTF invests millions into fish and wildlife projects to advance conservation in BC. However, that’s not the only way our funds are having an impact.

In 2018, HCTF began a process to transition all the funds we had invested in financial markets into Responsible Investing portfolios. Responsible Investing is a practice to incorporate environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors into investment decisions.

HCTF currently has over $35 million invested in Responsible Investing portfolios. This includes a number of endowments, as well as funds from short- and medium-term programs where cash is not needed by proponents (project partners) in the current year. HCTF invests these funds in order to obtain a higher return than bank account interest, so more money can go to fish and wildlife projects.

Photo by Amanda Irvine

While funds are invested, they are working to achieve several goals set out by HCTF; these include efforts to reduce carbon emissions and assist in the transition to a low carbon economy. Upon the initial transition to Responsible Investing, HCTF set a goal to achieve carbon intensity that was consistently lower than the benchmark, with a target of 70% below benchmark by the end of year 3. We are proud to report that we have achieved this goal and will continue to maintain or exceed this target. HCTF recognizes that climate change is one of the leading threats to fish, wildlife and their habitats in BC. Designing our financial portfolios to address this threat aligns with our efforts to mitigate climate change through the enhancement and restoration projects we approve each year.

HCTF also utilizes a number of screens to help us select which companies to invest in. We actively screen out companies that are having negative impacts on the environment or biodiversity. Beginning in 2023, another screen was added which factors in companies’ relationships with Indigenous communities; those companies that have known conflicts with Indigenous communities are screened out. HCTF is taking steps to advance reconciliation however we can, including integrating this value across our business decisions.

Photo by Chu Cho Environmental LLP

In addition to screening out companies which may be doing harm, we actively screen in companies who are having a positive impact. This is commonly referred to as Impact Investing. A minimum of 10% of our portfolios are classified as Impact investments, with a target of 20%.

We are doing all of this while still achieving financial returns that exceed benchmarks, ensuring there is sufficient income generated to fund our conservation programs. Through this strategy, funds that are invested in financial markets and funds invested in on-the-ground conservation work are both having a positive impact on fish, wildlife, and their habitats in BC.

For more details regarding HCTF Responsible Investment practices, visit our website at https://hctf.ca/about/responsible-investing-initiative/

Thu, 5 Oct 2023

Tags: Education / scholarship / t4w / together for wildlife

2023 Together for Wildlife Scholarship Recipients Announced

HCTF in partnership with the First Nations-B.C. Wildlife & Habitat Conservation Forum and the Province of British Columbia’s Together for Wildlife Initiative (T4W) are proud to announce the recipients for the 2023 Together for Wildlife academic scholarships; Alexia Constantinou, Harry Yiduo Zhang, Jamie Clarke, Jeffrey Nishima-Miller, Julia Bizon, Lindsay Whitehead, Megan Winand, Persia Khan, Tyler Jessen, and Westin Cryke.

The Together for Wildlife scholarship is awarded annually to 10 master’s and Ph.D. candidates conducting research that will have a positive impact on stewardship, management, policy, or decision-making of wildlife in BC. The aim of this scholarship is to support reconciliation and collaboration, diversity of perspectives, and building community among Indigenous communities and rural areas of BC.

More Info

2023 Recipients

Alexia Constantinou

Alexia is a Ph.D. student at the University of Victoria working under the supervision of Dr. Jason Fisher, sponsored by Dr. Joanna Burgar at the Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship. Her research focuses on British Columbia’s southern interior fisher population, its decline, and ways to improve fisher habitat by working with First Nations and industry.

More About Alexia

Harry Yiduo Zhang

Harry (Yiduo) Zhang is a Ph.D. candidate of Earth and Environmental Science at the University of British Columbia, Okanagan Campus. He is a member of the Complex Environmental System Lab under the supervision of Dr. Lael Parrott. His research interest is to apply GIS and model simulation to solve practical environmental management problems in complex socio-environmental systems.

More About Harry

Jamie Clarke

Jamie Clarke (she/her) is a master’s student at the University of Victoria, working under the supervision of Dr. Jason Fisher and in collaboration with Holger Bohm, BC’s Ungulate Specialist. Jamie will be testing different camera trap density models and comparing them to aerial ungulate surveys – an industry-standard, but imperfect, survey method.

More About Jamie

Jeffrey Nishima-Miller

Jeff Nishima-Miller is a PhD Candidate at the University of British Columbia’s Okanagan campus. Jeff works out of UBC Okanagan’s Centre for Environmental Assessment Research under the supervision of Dr. Kevin Hanna. Jeff’s research focuses on conservation planning, including setting population objectives, conservation goals, and management action design.

More About Jeffrey

Julia Bizon

Julia Bizon is an MSc student at the University of Northern British Columbia in Prince George working under the supervision of Dr. Samuel Bartels. T4W funds will be used to support research for her thesis “Ecosystem Memory and Ecological Restoration of Wildlife Forage and Understory Diversity in a Young Pine Monoculture Plantation in Central-Interior BC”. Julia’s research focuses on the response of forest understory vegetation to a suite of restoration treatments involving stand-thinning and artificial canopy gaps.

More About Julia

Lindsay Whitehead

Lindsay is a master’s student at Thompson Rivers University, working under the supervision of Dr. Karl Larsen. Her research focuses on understanding the impact of natural disturbances, particularly wildfires, on the Western rattlesnake population—a blue-listed and threatened species at risk.

More About Lindsay

Megan Winand

Megan Winand is an MSc student at the University of British Columbia under supervisor Dr. Tara Martin, focusing her studies on wetlands, amphibians, and reptiles. Megan is studying the effects of mitigation translocation on Columbian spotted frogs.

More About Megan

Persia Khan

Persia Khan (she/her) is an MSc student in the Applied Conservation Science Lab at the University of Victoria and works with the Heiltsuk Integrated Resource Management Department (HIRMD) and the Raincoast Conservation Foundation. Persia holds a BSc Honours in Geography from the University of Victoria, and is excited to continue her research in coastal systems and wildlife ecology.

More About Persia

Tyler Jessen

Tyler is a PhD student at the University of Victoria. His thesis aims to advance knowledge on the causes and consequences of climate change on the BC coast, while also providing data that are critical to the successful management of coastal mountain goats, grizzly bears, and black bears.

More About Tyler

Westin Cryke

Westin is a MSc student at the University of Northern BC. His research examines the impacts roads, namely the Jade Boulder Road has on Stone’s sheep, a species with a restricted range and that migrates seasonally.

More About Westin

If you or someone you know may be interested in applying for the Al Martin HCTF Conservation Scholarship, check out the following links:

Background

Apply Now

Wed, 4 Oct 2023

Tags: Education / scholarship

2023 Al Martin HCTF Conservation Fellowship Recipients Announced

The Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation and HCTF Education are pleased to announce this year’s Al Martin Conservation Fellowship recipients: Alessandro Freeman, Oliver Holt, and Zachary Sherker.

The Al Martin Conservation Fellowship recognizes Graduate students wishing to pursue a career in fish or wildlife conservation and management in BC. The recipients receive a scholarship of $10,000 to help fund their graduate research.

Named for Al Martin, a titan in the conservation community. Al had a long and illustrious career starting back in 1977 as a biologist in Penticton BC. After a decade of working as a fisheries biologist, he moved to Victoria to take on several senior positions Manager of Fisheries, Director of the Watershed Restoration Program, Director of the Fish and Wildlife Branch, Executive Director, and Assistant Deputy Minister of the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries.

Al retired after a 30-year-long career in BC public service but continued to be a leader in the conservation community, becoming the Director of Strategic Initiatives for the BC Wildlife Federation and a board member for HCTF. Al sadly passed away in October of 2019 but his impact has lived on thanks to his integrity, humour, and passion for conserving fish and wildlife habitats for future generations.

More About Al

2023 Recipients:

Alessandro Freeman

Alessandro Freeman is a M.Sc. student of Ecological Restoration at Simon Fraser University and the British Columbia Institute of Technology under the supervision of Dr. Douglas Ransome. Alessandro’s research project titled “Determining the Accuracy of the BRAT Model for Identifying North American Beaver (Castor Canadensis) Habitat in Central Interior British Columbia” is assessing the Beaver Restoration Assessment Tool (BRAT) – a GIS-based model developed in Utah, and its ability to accurately determine watercourses of high and low quality for potential damming by beavers to create wetlands.

More About Alessandro

Oliver Holt

Oliver is pursuing a lifelong dream of achieving a Master’s of Science from the University of Northern British Columbia. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Forestry from the University of British Columbia and has worked extensively in the forestry industry. Oliver’s research is focused on bringing to light the uncertain future of northern mountain caribou.

More About Oliver

Zachary Sherker

Zachary is a Ph.D. student at the University of British Columbia working with Dr. Scott Hinch. His research focuses on the impacts of floodgates on juvenile Pacific salmon habitat access. This research will be used to improve passage by synchronizing automated floodgate operations with the timing of fish movements and will provide concrete evidence for the need to replace aging floodgates and reintroduce imperiled salmon populations to their historic habitat.

More About Zachary