Please note that the HCTF office will be closed to the public between December 23rd and January 1st.
During this time we may be unable to return to phone calls and email inquires immediately. Please leave us a message and we will respond as soon as possible when we open our doors again on Thursday, January 2nd 2020.
The Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation team would like to wish you a warm and peaceful holiday season and we will see you again in the new year!
This past week the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) released the results of its November species assessment. In this most recent COSEWIC review, 21 unique Canadian flora and fauna were added to the national list of species at risk of extinction in categories ranging from “Special Concern” to “Endangered”. Given the unique habitats and wealth of species biodiversity in our province, the largest proportion of these species can be found right here in British Columbia.
Of the 8 newly recognized species-at-risk occurring in BC, the Western Harvest Mouse’s megalotis population, Great Basin Spadefoot toad, Slender Yoke-Moss, and 3 species of Sculpin are found nowhere else in Canada. In particular, the Slender Yoke-Moss’s entire global range is known to occupy a single square meter of limestone cliff on Haida Gwaii. While the Great Basin Spadefoot’s range extends widely into the United States but the the species is experiencing rapid habitat loss in its northern habitat due to increased human development throughout the Okanagan Valley. These decreasing populations are indicative of the wider threats facing species and habitats across British Columbia and the world. Through the Habitat Acquisition Grants program the Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation (HCTF) helps conservation organizations and communities protect and maintain vulnerable habitats throughout BC. Securing important and increasingly under pressure habitat types (such as wetlands & grasslands) is an important first step in giving species-at-risk and the ecosystems they occupy the opportunity to recover.
This newest list of assessed species is notable for the abundance of smaller, less well studied species. Although we typically hear about more charismatic species such as caribou and other large mammals it is important to recognize that British Columbia (much like the rest of the planet) is experiencing general biodiversity loss among all species. When developing conservation projects and planning habitat protection efforts it is important to remember that each species in a habitat has an important role to play within the larger ecosystem. Loss of biodiversity in any given ecosystem can significantly impact that habitat’s ability to resist threats and impacts of climate change.
For more information on the efforts being taken to conserve BC’s unique and diverse ecosystems, as well as tips on how you can get involved in efforts to conserve habitats and species in your own backyard stay tuned to the HCTF’s blog at https://hctf.ca/blog/.
Craig Doucette joins the Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation team in the role of communications officer and will be keeping you up to date on current events at HCTF and within the wider BC fish, wildlife and habitat conservation community.
Craig has a background in science communication, project engagement and ecosystem conservation. He completed his Bachelor of Science degree at the University of Guelph with a major in Wildlife Biology and Conservation before moving to study ecosystem management for his graduate diploma. Craig has a wealth of experience working with not-for-profit conservation organizations across Canada and brings to HCTF keen research skills and a passion for wildlife science. Welcome Craig!
The results are in for the winners of the 2019 HCTF Photo Contest!
This year’s HCTF photo contest was split into 3 separate photography categories; BC Wildlife or Freshwater Fish, BC Landscape, and People in Nature. We received hundreds of entries showcasing the province’s most spectacular fish and wildlife species, picturesque locations and British Columbians themselves connecting with nature right here at home. We would like to thank everyone who submitted a photo to this year’s contest and congratulate our 2019 HCTF photo contest winners!
Category: BC Wildlife and Freshwater Fish
Category: BC Landscapes
Category: People in Nature
BC Land Trusts own and protect 103,000[1] hectares of conservation lands in BC. Although securement of conservation lands is a critical first step, the work doesn’t end there because it is equally important to maintain and enhance the ecological values for which the property was protected. For many land trusts, finding funding to cover management costs can be difficult, particularly following fundraising campaigns to purchase the property. HCTF’s Land Stewardship Grant is one option for non-government organizations to access funding to cover management expenses on conservation lands.
For instance, the Denman Conservancy Association (DCA) received a Land Stewardship Grant from HCTF for $19,500 over three years to help with management costs on their Settlement Lands property. Located at the northern extent of the Coastal Douglas Fir (CDF) ecosystem, the Settlement Lands contain diverse habitats including wetlands, rocky outcrops, and mature second growth forest, which support a wide range of wildlife and habitats, including 14 wildlife species at risk.
Taylor’s Checkerspot Butterfly – courtesy of Erika Bland
One of these species at risk is the Taylor’s Checkerspot butterfly which is red-listed in BC, and listed as Endangered under the federal Species at Risk Act. Denman Island is the only known breeding location in Canada. Some of the funds were used for habitat enhancement, including planting larval host plants and pollinator nectar plants, as well as butterfly monitoring and planning to improve habitat in the future. Other activities HCTF funded at the property include invasive species removal, fencing, wetland monitoring, trail decommissioning and maintenance, and information signage.
Beaver dam area at Homestead Marsh – courtesy of John Millen
“This funding was very important to ensure ecological values will be maintained and enhanced,” says Erika Bland, DCA Land Manger. “The fencing project in particular, which was carried out in collaboration with a neighbouring farmer, was critical to protecting the wetland on the property from cattle trespass.”
New fence to prevent cattle access.
The next funding intake for Land Stewardship Grants is now open, with an application deadline of October 16th. Visit our Land Stewardship Grant webpage for more information, including how to apply. This program was made possible through an endowment provided by the Province of British Columbia. This funding opportunity only comes once every three years, so don’t miss out!
[1] British Columbia NGO Conservation Areas Technical Working Group. 2017. BC NGO Conservation Areas Database – Fee Simple, Registerable Interests, and Unregisterable Interests (secured as of December 31, 2016). Digital data files. Last updated June 27, 2017.
Update: The Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation photo contest is now closed! Thank you to everyone that submitted photos. The winners will be announced by November 1st.
The Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation photo contest is back! If you’ve captured a fantastic image of British Columbia’s wildlife, fish, landscapes or people participating in activities that connect them to nature, you could enter to win a VISA gift card.
Categories and Prizes:
The winning entries will be selected by a panel established by the Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation (HCTF). Each photo shall be judged on originality, technical excellence, composition, overall impact and artistic merit. The top entries in each category will be featured on our website and social media platforms. Please note that entries may be used by HCTF to communicate about the contest, the Foundation and conservation in BC, both during and after the contest period.
An individual may enter up to five photos in each category. Photos must have been taken in the province of British Columbia to be eligible.
Deadline:
Entries must be received by 4:30pm PST on September 30th, 2019.
Official Contest Rules and Regulations:
Official contest rules and regulations
Photo Credit: Linnea Halverson
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