In late June, the HCTF Board of Directors travelled north to Toad River for their spring board meeting, and to get a first-hand look at one of HCTF’s longest-running projects, the Peace-Liard Burn Program. HCTF has funded this project for over 20 years, investing close to $100K in it annually and adding to other contributions made by organizations including the Northern BC Guides Association and the Northeast BC Wildlife Fund. This ongoing habitat enhancement program uses prescribed fire to enhance grazing habitat for the area’s huge diversity of ungulates. Burning select tracts of land regenerates the grasses and small plants previously shaded out by dense forest, providing valuable foraging habitat for these animals. The opened-up areas add to a mosaic of different successional stages across the landscape that can support the huge diversity of wildlife that the Peace is famous for. This was evident from the air, as Board members spotted elk, mountain goats, and Stone’s sheep on previously burned sites.

It has been well over a decade since the Board last met in this specific area of BC, and their visit also coincided with the meeting for the Northern Guides Association, enabling a joint get-together over a barbecue dinner hosted by Leif and Kellie Olson. Our sincere thanks to the Olsons, to Chris Addison (MFLNRO), Jim Fulton (Northeast BC Wildlife Fund) and Brent Munro (BCTA) for joining us for dinner, to project leader Alicia Woods for guiding the tour, and to Cam Allan from Qwest Helicopters for safely piloting the Board and staff on the tour, and for also donating some helicopter time in support of the Foundation.

The following wildlife photos were taken during the Board’s visit to Toad River.

Looking for a fun and FREE activity for the kids this summer? The Freshwater Fisheries Society of BC (FFSBC) has learn-to-fish programs taking place at locations throughout the province in July and August. Kids will learn angling basics, including rod set-up, how to cast and catch fish. Instructors will also teach participants about the different fish species found in local waters. Equipment is provided, and youth under 16 do not require a licence. FFSBC also offers learn-to-fish sessions for adults: see the pdfs below for dates and times, and visit FFSBC’s website to download a program guide.

Lower Mainland and Interior L2F Program Schedule

Vancouver Island L2F Program Schedule

Already know how to fish but don’t have the gear? The FFSBC also offers a free rod loan program at selected locations around the province.

Both the Learn-to-Fish and Rod Loan programs are supported through grants from the Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation. By encouraging participation in angling, HCTF hopes that more British Columbians will gain an appreciation of the outdoors, and assist in the conservation of the province’s fish, wildlife and habitats.

Twenty-two community-based fish & wildlife projects will receive funding from HCTF’s Public Conservation Assistance Fund (PCAF) in 2014. PCAF grants differ from the Foundation’s other conservation funding opportunities in that they require projects to include a 50% volunteer component, designed to increase British Columbians’ participation in conservation activities.

This year’s PCAF grant recipients include a creek restoration project on Vancouver Island, a program to improve nesting habitat for at-risk bird species on Haida Gwaii, and a project that will build and monitor bat boxes in the Peace Region. You can download the full list of 2014 approved PCAF projects here.

As the spring intake resulted in the Fund being fully subscribed, there will not be a second call for PCAF proposals this September. Your next opportunity to apply for PCAF funding will be May of 2015.

Since 1993, the Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation has invested approximately $1.5 Million from creative sentencing awards into conservation projects across BC. The following interactive map provides an overview of projects on Vancouver Island and the Lower Mainland funded with money from creative sentencing awards. Check back over the next month as we add projects from additional regions.

Today marks the start of the 15^th annual Family Fishing Weekend. In addition to community events taking place throughout the province, BC residents are able to fish the province’s fresh and tidal waters licence-free from June 13-15^th.

Hosted by The Family Fishing Society of BC and local groups of volunteers, Family Fishing Weekend events feature how-to sessions for beginners that include information on equipment, casting, identifying local fish species and conservation. Loner rods, reels and tackle are provided for those who do not have their own gear.

“These events offer a great opportunity to learn about how to fish in a fun and supported environment,” Wayne Saito, President, Family Fishing Society of BC. “The hundreds of volunteers who organize and participate in these events are passionate about fishing and even more passionate about sharing their love of the sport. They are keen to share what makes fishing such a great pastime.”

HCTF has been a long-time supporter of Family Fishing Weekend, providing over $380,000 since 2001. Since then, the program has grown from half a dozen events to nearly fifty across the province, with last year’s festivities attracting a record 17,000 participants.

A complete list of event locations and descriptions can be found at www.bcfamilyfishing.com. For beginner anglers, Family Fishing Weekend sponsors FFSBC have a great learn-to-fish program guide available for download on their website. Before heading out, be sure to familiarize yourself with the angling regulations for your region:

• For freshwater angling regulations, visit http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/fw/fish/regulations/
• For tidal (saltwater) angling regulations, visit http://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fm-gp/rec/index-eng.html

Happy Father’s Day, and happy fishing!