Fri, 2 Dec 2022

Winners of the 2022 Conservation Lands Photo Contest

The results are in for the winners of the 2022 HCTF Conservation Lands Photo Contest!

The 2022 Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation’s Photo Contest encouraged photographers and BC residents to get out to Conservation Lands across the Province to enjoy the natural beauty British Columbia has to offer.

1st Prize: Karen Wipond Award

2nd Prize

3rd Prize

Honourable Mention

Conservation Lands

The winning photographs were taken within the boundaries of provincially administered Conservation Lands in the province of British Columbia (see map below). While HCTF encourages 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.

The primary purpose of conservation lands is to conserve and manage important habitat for the benefit of regionally or internationally significant fish and wildlife species. This includes habitat that is vital for:

  • Sensitive, vulnerable, or at-risk species.
  • Critical species life-cycle phases such as spawning, rearing, nesting, or winter feeding.
  • Species migration routes or other movement corridors.
  • Supporting unusually high species productivity or diversity.

Conservation lands often concurrently provide for a range of opportunities for public access, including day hiking, hunting and fishing, wildlife viewing, scientific research and education, and traditional activities of First Nations.

Map of BC Conservation Lands

Tue, 1 Nov 2022

FESBC & HCTF Accomplishments Update

Replanting Whitebark Pine saplings along a subalpine ridge in the Skeena Region (photo by Sybille Haeussler)

Today sees the release of an Accomplishment Update reviewing the successes of a 5-year partnership between the Forest Enhancement Society of British Columbia (FESBC) and the Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation (HCTF). Since 2017, these two organizations have been working together to improve wildlife and fish habitat through the funding of vital conservation work.

FESBC & HCTF Accomplishments Update

The partnership funds projects ranging from wildlife research, habitat restoration and community engagement, with a focus on improving British Columbia’s forest ecosystems across every corner of British Columbia. HCTF brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise in identifying and cultivating impactful conservation work, combined with FESBC’s clear vision for improving forest wildlife habitat and ability to facilitate engagement with BC’s forestry community and the accomplishments of this partnership have been a great success for both organizations. Collaborative efforts between organizations, governments, and all British Columbians with a passion for nature are our best chance to improve, restore and maintain the natural resources that make this province great.

“FESBC and HCTF’s partnership delivers on-the-ground projects improving wildlife stewardship and habitat conservation throughout the province.” Says the Honourable Katrine Conroy, British Columbia’s Minister of Forests. “Through increased collaboration, their work is aligned fully with our Together for Wildlife strategy turning data and knowledge into action and results.”

From an initial pledge of $5 Million in 2017, the partnership has leveraged more than $8 Million dollars toward 105 individual conservation projects across the province. With many more success stories detailed in FESBC’s Fall 2022 Accomplishments Update and more funding earmarked for 2023 and beyond the partnership between FESBC and HCTF will continue to be a force for good in the sphere of wildlife and conservation funding.

About FESBC: the purposes of FESBC are to advance environmental and resource stewardship of B.C.’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. As of March 2022, FESBC has supported 263 projects valued at $238 million, in partnership with the governments of B.C. and Canada. FESBC would like to gratefully acknowledge the financial support of the Province of British Columbia through the Ministry of Forests.

Wed, 19 Oct 2022

Career Opportunity: Indigenous Inclusion Coordinator

Passionate about conservation? We are – come join us!

We are a non-profit foundation investing in habitat conservation and restoration projects across BC with an opening for a full-time Indigenous Inclusion Coordinator. We are seeking an individual who is energetic, self-directed, and has a positive approach to their career, their work, and their colleagues.

The Indigenous Inclusion Coordinator is part of the Biology and Evaluation Team and reports to the Wildlife Program Manager. This individual identifies opportunities for shared success and collaboration with Indigenous Peoples across HCTF’s many different granting programs and participates in meaningful engagement with Indigenous Peoples. The initial focus will be improving accessibility and inclusion within the Caribou Habitat Restoration Fund program, but the position will expand to other programs and initiatives. Travel will be required within BC and applicants outside of Victoria are encouraged to apply, as remote placement is possible.

HCTF encourages qualified Indigenous applicants to apply because of the perspectives they would contribute to the position (please self-identify in the cover letter).

Application Closing Date: November 18th (close Friday at 4:30pm)

Salary: Union position, with a classification of Grid 21 with a compensation range of $64,113 to $72,947 (BCGEU Grid)

Job Type: Regular, full time

Full Job Description

 

To apply, please email a cover letter and CV describing how you meet the required qualifications to careers@hctf.ca. All applicants must be legally eligible to work in Canada.

Wed, 21 Sep 2022

Now Accepting Conservation Grant Proposals for 2023-2024

Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation is now accepting applications for Enhancement/Restoration & Stewardship (ERS) grants, and Caribou Habitat Restoration Fund (CHRF) grants. Applications must be submitted through HCTF’s online application system by 4:30pm on November 4th, 2022 (PST).

HCTF is not accepting New Stewardship proposals in Fall 2022 (Continuing and New Phase proposals will still be accepted). Our Stewardship grant is undergoing an update to better integrate with other HCTF grant programs. This will improve clarity and criteria for proponents as well as streamline the application process.

Please visit our FAQ page to find useful tips for the online Survey Apply system. Our updated 2023-24 ERS and CHRF Guidance documents are also available on the website.

Before beginning your application on the Survey Apply system, we strongly recommend that you complete your application on the Word worksheets posted on our website. Once completed you can copy-and-paste your answers into the online form. The worksheets also provide a useful overview of the questions and information requirements. Please note that HCTF cannot accept applications submitted by email.

Each year, Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation provides approximately $6 million dollars in Enhancement and Restoration grants to help fund projects that support the conservation of British Columbia’s native freshwater fish, wildlife, and their habitats. Since the inception of our work in 1981, the Foundation and its predecessors have invested over $189 million in more than 2980 projects across BC.

HCTF continues to partner with the Forest Enhancement Society of BC (FESBC) to meet shared conservation objectives through co-investments in conservation projects administered through HCTF. The CHRF program is made possible by contributions from both the BC Ministry of Land Water and Resource Stewardship and Environment and Climate Change Canada.

For questions related to Enhancement/Restoration and Stewardship grants, please contact Lisa Wielinga at Lisa.Wielinga@hctf.ca or 250-940-9781.

For questions related to CHRF, please contact Sophia Cuthbert at Sophia.Cuthbert@hctf.ca or 250-940-9789.

Tue, 20 Sep 2022

2022 Al Martin HCTF Conservation Fellowship Recipients Announced

The Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation and HCTF Education are pleased to announce our 2022 recipients of the Al Martin HCTF Conservation Fellowship (AMCF): Siobhan Darlington & Megan Buers.

The AMCF awards $10,000 annually to two graduate students who are wishing to pursue a career in fish or wildlife management and conservation in British Columbia.

The award is named in honor of Al Martin, a lifelong conservation giant who passed away suddenly in 2019. Al had an influential career with the BC provincial government that spanned three decades in fish and wildlife management and habitat conservation. After his retirement in 2010, Al continued to be a leader in the conservation community as a Board Director with HCTF and Director of Strategic Initiatives with the BC Wildlife Federation.

More About Al

2022 Recipients:

Siobhan Darlington

Siobhan Darlington (she/her) is a PhD student in Biology at the University of British Columbia Okanagan working under the supervision of Dr. Adam Ford and Dr. Karen Hodges. AMCF funds will be used to support research for her thesis “The spatial ecology and foraging dynamics of cougar in the southern interior of British Columbia” as part of the Southern BC Cougar Project. In the future, Siobhan hopes to continue working with cougars and other wild felids to understand the dual impacts of climate change and human activity on their distributions and mitigate potential threats through policy, public outreach, and conservation work.

More About Siobhan

 

Megan Buers

Megan Buers is an MSc student at the University of British Columbia’s Okanagan campus under the supervision of Dr. Karen Hodges. AMCF funds will be used to support her thesis “Are riparian areas thermal refugia for nocturnal forest birds in south central British Columbia?” which explores how habitat characteristics of riparian areas may act to provide shelter for wildlife during periods of high heat. In the future, Megan hopes to continue working with species at risk in British Columbia and, in particular, birds of prey. She will continue to advocate for more public outreach and education on habitats and how we can work to protect these habitats through the coming decades.

More About Megan

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

Applicant Info Apply Online

 

HCTF Scholarship Program

 

 

Wed, 7 Sep 2022

Now Accepting Land Stewardship Grant Applications for 2023- 2026

Volunteers establish native wildflowers in the Nuts’a’maat Forage Forest at the Millard Learning Centre, Galiano Island Photo Credit: Emily Francis

HCTF is now accepting applications for the Land Stewardship Grant (LSG). LSG grants are available to non-government (NGO), non-profit organizations who manage the conservation properties for which they are applying for funding. Applications must be submitted via email to bvonsacken@hctf.ca before 4:30pm (PST) on Wednesday, October 19, 2022.

Before beginning your application, we strongly recommend that you review the Grant Guidelines document. To view the guidelines document and download the associated word and excel application forms visit our website LSG apply.

Questions? Please contact Barb von Sacken bvonsacken@hctf.ca for further details.