Tue, 27 Jul 2021

Restricted Funding Available!

Occasionally, HCTF receives funding that is restricted to a specific location, species, or activity. The majority of our restricted funding is the result of court awards made to HCTF through creative sentencing intended to repair or compensate for environmental and ecosystem related crimes. The restricted funding can be the basis for a full project or form a small component of a larger project.

HCTF provides a list funds available, their value, and the associated conditions on our website in an effort to encourage proposals that will utilize the funding for the upcoming year’s grant intake. The current list of available restricted funding has been posted below.

2022-23 Available Court Award Funding

Region Amount HCTF Reference # Restriction
6 $ 95,000.00 30502 Fish, wildlife, and habitat initiatives in the Skeena Region, with a preference for restoration work along the Skeena River between Terrace and Prince Rupert
1 $ 8,000.00 16111-1 Sum of $8,000 to be used in its entirety for the Fiddlehead Farm area and that of Powell River, British Columbia for conservation purposes.
3 $ 6,860.00 43225 To be used for elk enhancement in the Kamloops region.
2 $ 2,505.00 2738-1 For a study on the effects of non-lethal bear management

If you are interested in submitting a proposal for any of the restricted funding, please review the Enhancement and Restoration Grants page. Note that all restricted funding applications should be submitted through our regular enhancement grant process, by November 5, 2021.

Do you have a project idea for helping to secure elk populations near Kamloops, or conserving wildlife, fish or habitat along the Skeena River? We’d love to hear from you!

Tue, 13 Jul 2021

HCTF Celebrates 40 years of Conservation with $9.3 Million for Wildlife, Fish and Habitat Projects

Project #0-541: Determining factors affecting moose population change

For 40 years, the Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation (HCTF) has helped fund conservation groups, government branches, Indigenous Nations, and local communities to implement projects that protect B.C.’s wildlife, freshwater fish, and the habitats they need to survive and thrive. This year, HCTF is has awarded $9.3 million in funding for 175 individual conservation projects across British Columbia.

HCTF’s CEO Dan Buffett is pleased to report that the 2021/22 grant season represents the Foundation’s highest record annual investment and reflects the financial contributions and hard work of many British Columbians that fund and implement these projects. To date, HCTF has funded 3,230 conservation projects and granted over $195 million in funds across the length and breadth of this ecologically diverse province.

HCTF supports a variety of conservation projects across the province. Some highlights from this year’s list of approved projects include:

  • $70,000 to investigate factors affecting moose population change across BC (photo below).
  • $62,500 to help protect BC’s bat populations from the spread of the deadly fungal disease known as White–Nose Syndrome.
  • $248,000 to restore and enhance over 90 hectares (222 acres) of wetland habitat throughout the province.
  • $49,500 to reestablishing the critically endangered Vancouver Island Marmots (photo below).
  • $98,500 to monitor the abundance, productivity, and conservation status for wild Interior Fraser steelhead population in the Thompson-Nicola region (photo attached).
  • $130,500 to support the Kootenay Region River Guardian Program, these River Guardians will maintain and improve the quality of angling along regional watersheds and protect native sportfish populations.
  • $90,500 to identify the effects of wildfire and disturbance on mule deer habitat selection, migration, and population growth in the Okanagan (photo attached).

Funding and support for these projects and others across the province come from a wide variety of sources including public groups such as the British Columbia Wildlife Federation (BCWF), partner organizations like the Forest Enhancement Society of BC (FESBC), provincial government contributions, court fines, and endowments. A significant source of funding comes from the conservation surcharge paid by B.C.’s anglers, hunters, trappers, and guide outfitters.

“Over 40 years ago, the BC Wildlife Federation lobbied for a surcharge on hunting and fishing licenses to fund wildlife and fish habitat improvement projects throughout the province,” said BCWF President Chuck Zuckerman. “The result of this impassioned call from B.C.’s hunters, anglers, trappers and sport shooters formed a new fund in 1981 that subsequently evolved into the Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation.”

Steve Kozuki, executive director of FESBC, has been pleased to be a partner with HCTF.

“FESBC is proud to partner with HCTF and local experts on the ground throughout British Columbia to improve wildlife habitat,” said Kozuki. “HCTF combines wildlife biology expertise with their excellent management of funds to deliver outstanding benefits for wildlife. With all the pressures on the land base, the good work HCTF does is more important than ever.”

Each project funded by HCTF goes through a multi-level, objective, and technical review process prior to final Board review and decision. HCTF’s Board of Directors ensures that species important to B.C. anglers and hunters are supported but also places a great deal of importance on conserving whole ecosystems, species-at-risk, and investing in environmental education across the province.

To see the complete list of HCTF funded projects or explore the conservation work being done near you, view the 2021-22 Approved Project List here.

2021-22 HCTF Project List

Download Regional Copies of News Release

Photos

(Additional images available upon request)

Project #0-541: Determining factors affecting moose population change

Project #1-693: Reestablishing Vancouver Island Marmots in Strathcona Provincial Park

Project #2-668: Native Plant Landscaping to Increase Native Bird Populations in Vancouver (with the Environmental Youth Alliance)

Project #3-251: Interior Fraser Wild Steelhead Conservation

Project #4-563: Quantifying rates and mechanisms of grizzly bear mortality in the Elk Valley

Project #6-227: Restoring Whitebark Pine Ecosystems

Project #8-408: Mule deer response to wildfire and habitat change in southern British Columbia

 

Contact Information

Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation
Craig Doucette, Communications Officer
Direct: 250 940 3012 | Toll-free: 1 800 387 9853 ext. 212
craig.doucette@hctf.ca

Forest Enhancement Society of BC
Aleece Laird, Communications Liaison
Direct: 250 574 0221
communications@fesbc.ca

HCTF Quick Facts

It is the mission of the Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation (HCTF) to improve the conservation outcomes of BC’s fish and wildlife, and the habitats in which they live. We make a difference by funding conservation projects and by educating and engaging the public about BC’s natural assets.

  • 2021 marks HCTF’s40th anniversary of helping conservation groups and individuals secure funding for conservation projects and providing education to the general public about B.C.’s important natural assets.
  • Since 1981, HCTF has provided over $189 million in grants for almost 3,000 conservation projects across BC.
  • HCTF began as an initiative by BC anglers, hunters, trappers, and guide outfitters.

FESBC Quick Facts

In February 2016, the B.C. Government announced the formation of FESBC with initial funding of $85 million and a five-member Board of Directors to oversee the establishment of the Society and the delivery of its purposes. An additional $150 million was announced in early 2017.

  • 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 2021, FESBC has supported 269 projects valued at $238 million, in partnership with governments of B.C. and Canada.

 

Mon, 29 Mar 2021
Tags: scholarship

Announcing the Al Martin Conservation Fellowship & Scholarship Program

Project #5-306: Horsefly River - Rainbow Trout Enumeration and Habitat Use Study

In celebration of the Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation’s 40th Anniversary and the many individuals who have championed conservation efforts across BC in that time, we are proud to announce the HCTF Scholarship Grant Program. It is our hope that this new program will support students to pursue a higher education leading to a career in wildlife or fish conservation and carry on the tradition of conservation excellence here in BC. The first of these Scholarship Grants to be awarded will be the Al Martin Conservation Fellowship (AMCF), named in honour of our late Board Director.

Al was a giant in the conservation community and had an influential and lengthy career in fish and wildlife management and habitat conservation. His clear thinking, vision, and integrity commanded the respect of his colleagues, conservationists, politicians, and bureaucrats at all levels of government. Al passionately worked to sustain fish and wildlife habitats and populations for the enjoyment of generations to come. You can learn more about Al Martin’s impact of BC conservation here.

HCTF invites graduate students (pursuing a master’s or doctoral degree) to apply to the 2021 Al Martin Fellowship Program. The AMCF awards two fellows a $10,000 stipend, successful recipients must be full-time graduate students with solid academic standing registered in a recognized Canadian educational institute. They must be citizens or landed immigrants of Canada, wishing to pursue a career in fish or wildlife management and conservation in British Columbia. Fellowship Award recipients will have the opportunity to access Peer networking opportunities with HCTF’s conservation technical committees, a greater, real-world understanding of BC’s conservation landscape, and an expanded personal and professional network.

With the AMCF, HCTF strives to build a cohort of emerging leaders, connecting graduate students who will go on to do important work with BC’s conservation. We believe in nurturing and growing conservation leaders of the future and hope to announce other Scholarship and Fellowship opportunities as part of the new HCTF Scholarship Grant Program. If you interested in joining a community of leaders interested in BC’s fish, wildlife, habitat, and biodiversity conservation, Apply Now!

For more information visit our Scholarship Grants webpage.

Mon, 22 Mar 2021

60+ Conservation Projects funded through NEW Conservation Economic Stimulus Initiative

B.C.’s Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy (MOE) has allocated $10 million in funding for ecosystem and species conservation via the Conservation Economic Stimulus Initiative (CESI). As part of StrongerBC, this new program will support B.C.’s economic recovery by investing in ecosystem and species restoration projects across the province. These projects will employ British Columbians, with a focus on demographics such as young adult, women, and Indigenous People who have been disproportionately affected by COVID-19, by funding “shovel ready” conservation projects that will also help to protect and improve B.C.’s diverse ecosystems, wildlife, and freshwater fish species.

Conservation and restoration projects will be underway in threatened habitats, such as wetlands, grasslands, forests, rivers, and streams. On southern Vancouver Island, the Koksilah and Chemainus watersheds support large populations of steelhead and salmon species. They have significant historical and cultural values for Cowichan Tribes. However, climate change, along with water and land-use practices, are impacting salmon in the area and their habitats. The Cowichan Watershed Board will assess salmon populations, study the water levels that support salmon habitat and restore habitat along the rivers.

“The Koksilah and Chemainus river ecosystems are being threatened by climate change, which we know will have impacts on salmon and everything that depends on them for decades to come. By bringing together Indigenous knowledge of the past with scientific study of the rivers today, we can understand how to plan for these changes,” said Chief William Seymour of the Cowichan Tribes. “This is critical work for our Nations’ food and culture, but healthy salmon watersheds feed species all up and down the coast and are a benefit to the whole province.”

More than 60 projects dedicated to restoring diverse ecosystems and conserving fish, wildlife, and habitat are planned or underway throughout B.C. The projects, which are being completed through partnerships with Indigenous communities, environmental groups, universities, and local stewardship organizations, help ensure B.C.’s unique species and ecosystems stay healthy, vibrant, and resilient.

BC Government News Release CESI Preliminary Project List More Info & FAQs

Wed, 23 Dec 2020
Tags: Notification

Holiday Office Hours 2020

Please note that the HCTF office will be closed to the public between December 24th and January 1st.

During this time our office doors will remain closed and we may be unable to return to phone calls or email inquires immediately. Please leave us a message and we will respond as soon as possible when we open our doors again on Monday, January 4th, 2020.

The Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation team would like to wish you a healthy and happy holiday season and we will see you again in the new year!

 

 

Tue, 21 Jul 2020

Introducing HCTF’s New Grants Officer!

Lisa Wielinga

The Habitat Conservation Trust is pleased to welcome Lisa Wielinga as our new Grants Officer. She will be working as part of the Biology and Evaluation Team to help coordinate several HCTF grant programs, including, Stewardship, Enhancement and Restoration, and the Public Conservation Assistance Fund (PCAF).

 

Lisa holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Victoria, with a double major in Environmental Studies and Anthropology, as well as a Project Management Certificate from Mount Royal University. Her background includes experience within government, consulting, and non-profit organizations where she provided environmental outreach and project management support.

 

When she’s not working, you’ll find Lisa out exploring, swimming, skiing, hiking, cooking, dancing, and yoga-ing. Lisa is excited about this new role with HCTF and is looking forward to supporting a wide variety of conservation projects across BC.