The list of approved 2013-14 HCTF projects is now available.
We approved a total of 139 enahancement & restoration projects this year. Check back soon for the 2013-14 project map!
Fri, 26 Apr 2013
Category: News
Wed, 24 Apr 2013
Tags: Acquisition / Habitat Acquisition
Mission Creek Celebration
Mission Creek
On Tuesday, HCTF had the opportunity to take part in a wonderful event on the banks of Mission Creek in Kelowna, celebrating the recent acquisition of 2.7 hectares of land immediately beside the creek (see video). Working with the MCRI, City of Kelowna, Regional District of Central Okanagan and a cast of others, HCTF is supporting the long term plans to return parts of the heavily-channelized Mission Creek to a more natural state.
Mission Creek was channelized many years ago to control the destructive flooding that was impacting adjacent landowners. What was formerly a sinuous, natural and fish-friendly stream became, in effect, a much straightened “chute”. That straightening helped to solve the flooding problem, but removed important fish habitat.
HCTF has provided $315,000 in funding to purchase some adjacent land from the Casorso family (without whom this project would not be possible) which will eventually be restored to provide critical habitat for native Kokanee stocks. It’s an important first step in a long process, and HCTF is happy to be part of this initiative. For more information on the plan to restore Mission Creek, please visit the MCRI website.
Fri, 19 Apr 2013
Tags: Wildlife
HCTF Staff Visit Delta Farmland Project
A flock of snow geese land in Ladner.
HCTF staff may be coming to a project near you!
On April 12th, Lynne Bonner and Jane Algard visited Ladner to do a project site evaluation on the “Provision of Waterfowl and Raptor Habitat within Managed Grasslands on Lower Fraser River Farmland” project. Christine Terpsma of the Delta Farmland and Wildlife Trust took us on a tour of farmlands that are under stewardship agreements in the Ladner/Delta area near Vancouver. HCTF funding ensures local farmers plant winter cover crops (for waterfowl) and grassland set-asides (for raptors) to provide a diversity of habitats for wildlife.
We saw the evidence of success: some winter cover crops were eaten down to bare ground, we spotted a number of hunting northern harriers in the set-asides, and hundreds of snow geese landed in a field next to us. As an added bonus – we sighted three snowy owls! Thanks Christine, for your time and your enthusiasm for wildlife conservation.
Wed, 3 Apr 2013
HCTF Launches New Website
We’ve got a new look for our website! New features include a blog and profiles of HCTF projects. We’ve reorganized some of our content, so you may need to update your bookmarks: if you need assistance finding anything, you can try the search bar at the top of the screen, or contact our communications officer. We’d love to hear your feedback!
Wed, 3 Apr 2013
Burrard Inlet Restoration Program: Approved Projects
Six projects were approved for seed funding under the Burrard Inlet Restoration Program (BIRP) in the first proposal intake: you can download a list of sucessful projects here. The next deadline for BIRP proposals will be June 30, 2013. HCTF On-Line will be open for submissions after June 1st.
Tue, 12 Mar 2013
2013-14 Preliminary List of Approved Projects
The preliminary list of approved HCTF Enhancement & Restoration projects is available here. Please note these projects are approved in principle only and may have funding conditions and or budget adjustments. You will receive official notification of your project’s funding status as well as the reviewer’s comments and any funding conditions in the next few weeks.
