HCTF would like to extend a huge thank you to the B.C. Conservation Officer Service for all their hard work and dedication to environmental prosecutions.

We are pleased to share that through the BCCOS’s efforts to direct funds to HCTF under creative sentencing, HCTF was able to allocate over $289,000 to 20 different conservation projects in 2024-25. This represents 29 different environmental infractions, ranging from $500 to $285,000.

HCTF always allocates court-awarded funding back to the region where the offence occurred. Our next consideration is to find a project match in that region that best fits with the infraction, while balancing the desire to invest funds back into projects quickly and efficiently. For example, if an infraction were related to hunting moose, we would invest funds back into a project benefiting moose or their habitat. If there are no direct matches in a given year, we will consider other wildlife projects in the region that may have secondary benefits to moose, or benefit ecosystems and biodiversity more broadly. This ensures HCTF can direct funds into fish, wildlife, and habitat efficiently and ensure high-value conservation outcomes are achieved.

When there is a restriction set by the courts, HCTF will often advertise the funding opportunity on our website to receive dedicated proposals that meet that need, such as fisheries work in a specific watershed.

Since its inception in 1981, HCTF has received over $6M in court-awarded revenue. We allocate an average of $293,000 to around 21 projects each year, from an average of 29 unique infractions.

Project Spotlights

Fisheries in the Kootenays

A Columbia Lake burbot, project 4-485. Photo by Heather Lamson, Province of B.C.

In January 2023, Teck Metals was ordered to pay $80,000 to HCTF for offences under the Fisheries Act and Environmental Management Act. The offence, which took place near Trail, B.C., involved introducing waste into the environment in and around the Columbia River, which had the potential to negatively impact fish habitat. The funding was restricted for the purposes of conservation or enhancement of fish or fish habitat in the Kootenay River or Columbia River watersheds, with a preference for projects in the lower Columbia region (south of Nelson, B.C.).

In 2024, HCTF directed these funds to two projects: $40,000 to Fisheries O&M in the Kootenays (4-64), which supports two West Kootenay kokanee spawning channels, and $40,000 to East Kootenay Burbot Population Assessments (4-685), which seeks to better understand burbot population limiters in the Upper Kootenay and Upper Columbia watersheds. Understanding current status, spawning locations, migrations, and genetic diversity will inform recovery actions of these declining populations.

Elk Valley

In an earlier sentencing, in 2017 Teck Coal was ordered to pay $285,000 to HCTF for three offences under the Environmental Management Act. The offences took place in 2012 near Sparwood and involved introducing sediment-laden water into the environment and failing to report a spill. While not restricted to a certain species or habitat type, it was preferred the funds go towards projects in the Elk Valley of B.C. Funding from this award, along with multiple other large infractions that were restricted to the Kootenays, was distributed over several years.

In 2024, the final $77,120 was allocated to two projects: $40,000 to Elk Valley West Bighorn Sheep Population Dynamics and Habitat Condition (4-611), which is identifying survival rates and causes of mortality of bighorn sheep to inform management decisions, and $37,120 to Upper Elk Valley Invasive Plant Management (4-618), which successfully reduced the spread of invasive species and enhanced biodiversity through targeted management strategies, ensuring high-quality forage remains for bighorn sheep and other ungulates.

Overhead view of road restoration, project 7-600. Photo by Society for Ecosystem Restoration in Northern BC.

Ungulates in the Northeast

A project in the Omineca-Peace region received funding from three separate court awards:

• In November 2020, an individual hunted a mule deer without a license, out of season, near Dawson Creek. They were ordered to pay $1,750 to HCTF in August 2022.
• In June 2020, an individual hunted wildlife not within season near Mackenzie. They were ordered to pay $8,000 to HCTF in November 2023.
• In August 2021, an individual failed to remove edible portions of a thinhorn sheep carcass while hunting near Muncho Lake. They were ordered to pay $1,900 to HCTF in December 2023.

While none of the court awards were restricted to either a region or for a specific purpose, HCTF felt funds would be best allocated to an ungulate project in northern B.C.

In 2024, these three court awards were allocated to project 7-600, Saik’uz Road Rehabilitation for Moose Habitat Enhancement. Building on previous successful work, this project rehabilitated an additional 14 km of roads in the Prince George area, reducing the road density to better support the moose population.

Fisheries in the Chilcotin

Between September and November 2017, a company diverted streams for agricultural purposes without permission, negatively impacting riparian and aquatic habitats. Charged under the Water Sustainability Act, the company was ordered to pay $49,000, and one of its directors an additional $9,500 to HCTF in January 2023. The funds were restricted to be used in the Chilcotin area of the Cariboo region, for projects involving fish and/or other aquatic assessments or habitat initiatives.

In 2024, the $58,000 funded two projects: Mid Fraser River Sturgeon Assessment (5-196) and Big Bar Slide Sturgeon Assessment (5-332). The former completed a 5-year study focused on filling knowledge gaps of white sturgeon habitat use and behaviour in the mid-Fraser, and the latter is evaluating white sturgeon movement patterns to inform fish passage structure design.

HCTF is honoured to be a trusted partner of the CO Service, working together to conserve BC’s fish, wildlife, and habitat.

The Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation (HCTF) and the Forest Enhancement Society of B.C. (FESBC) are celebrating a remarkable partnership that has helped enhance wildlife habitat throughout British Columbia. Since 2017, the collaborative partnership has supported 117 wildlife habitat enhancement projects, and as the partnership enters its final years of co-funding projects, the impact of the combined efforts will continue to resonate for years to come.

“British Columbia is the most biodiverse province in Canada. Healthy ecosystems and biodiversity are not only essential for our health, but also protect the environment, support our economy, and create strong communities,” said Nathan Cullen, Minister of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship. “Thanks to the excellent work done by the Forest Enhancement Society and Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation enhancement and restoration of our valuable provincial habitats is a promise we can deliver to our children and future generations.”

Releasing a Vancouver Island marmot – Marmot Recovery Foundation

In 2016, FESBC was established with one of its key purposes to help improve wildlife habitat within B.C.’s forests. Recognizing the nearly four decades of expertise and proven track record of HCTF in terrestrial ecosystem and biology management, it became clear that a collaborative partnership was the way to help achieve this purpose. HCTF has exceptional expertise and funding administration capabilities, plus established systems for project solicitation, evaluation, and adjudication.

FESBC Executive Director Steve Kozuki said “HCTF has done an outstanding job of connecting with local habitat experts around the province to do the work that needs to be done in order to provide the biggest benefits for wildlife. As pressures on wildlife continue to increase, this work is more important than ever.”

Projects funded through this partnership have not only focused on forest health and evaluating the habitat and wildlife response to fire but also on creating better conditions for wildlife. For example, a multi-year prescribed burn program to restore and enhance Stone’s Sheep habitat by increasing the quantity and quality of forage and reducing the tree density of the forest to allow easier traverse between forage areas. These improvements have also led to increased forest recreation opportunities for people and healthier, more resilient ecosystems that can better withstand diseases, insects, and climate change.

Moose cow and calf during calf-at-heel surveys

“For over seven years, the HCTF and FESBC partnership has funded forestry-focused conservation work in B.C. and is a testament to the power of collaboration with our grant recipients who lead a diversity of projects supporting multiple values,” said Dan Buffett, CEO of HCTF. “The projects funded through this initiative over the last several years have yielded incredible outcomes, not only for forest ecosystems but a wide range of wildlife and many B.C. communities.”

This year nine projects are receiving funds through the FESBC and HCTF partnership, including:

• $71,036 for the protection of bat colonies in the Lower Mainland from white-nose syndrome.
• $48,795 for protection and enhancement of wildlife habitat on Salt Spring Island.
• $66,401 to evaluate how wildfires affect owls in the Thompson-Okanagan region.
• $149,775 to enhance and restore wild sheep habitat in the Peace region through prescribed fire.
• $81,170 to identify the effects of landscape change on moose health and forestry management in central B.C. through field surveys and lab analysis.
• $30,480 for stewardship and restoration work of riparian black cottonwood forests of the Kettle River Watershed in the Boundary region, a rare ecosystem with several species at risk.

The FESBC-HCTF partnership exemplifies how collaborative efforts can lead to significant environmental and community benefits. As the two organizations look toward the future, the lessons learned from this partnership will continue to guide efforts in forest and wildlife habitat management.

See HCTF’s 2024-25 Approved Project list, highlighting FESBC co-funded projects, here.

In recognition of National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, the Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation office will be closed to reflect the national observance on the history and legacy of residential schools. HCTF reaffirms our commitment to collaborating with Indigenous peoples to create better habitat conservation outcomes and contribute towards a pathway of reconciliation.

HCTF’s recent release of the 2022 Strategic Plan outlines our pledge to engage meaningfully and build respectful relationships with Indigenous people. And over the course of the last year, our organization has taken action towards improving how we reach out to and engage with First Nations governments and Indigenous people in British Columbia. To learn more about the work we are doing to improve HCTF please visit our Indigenous Engagement webpage at the link below.

Indigenous Engagement webpage

HCTF’s 2022 Conservation Lands Photo Contest is NOW OPEN!

The Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation’s Photo Contest is back! This time we are encouraging photographers and BC residents to get out to Conservation Lands across the Province, to enjoy the natural beauty the province has to offer and to send us the images you capture while you are out in nature. If you have a fantastic image of Wildlife, Fish, Landscapes, or People Connecting with Nature snapped from one of BC’s many Conservation Land sites you could win up to $1,000 in Visa Gift Cards.

Photographs must have been taken within the boundaries of HCTF and the Government of British Columbia recognized Conservation Lands area in the province of British Columbia. While we encourage 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 and obey all safety requirements and public access best practices. 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.

Entries must be submitted via email to communications@hctf.ca by 4:30 PST on October 14^th, 2022 and must be submitted in .jpg file format.

Enter A Photo

Prizes include:

Karen Wipond Award (1^st Prize): $1,000.00 CAD Visa Gift Card

2^nd Prize: $500.00 CAD Visa Gift Card

3^rd Prize: $250.00 CAD Visa Gift Card

An individual may enter up to five photos in each category. Photos must have been taken at a recognized Conservation Lands area within the province of British Columbia to be eligible.

In Memory of Karen Wipond

Newly dedicated this year, the 1st prize award in the HCTF Photo contest has been renamed in memory of Karen Wipond.

Karen was a lifelong champion for conservation and, for many years, the lead for the Province of British Columbia’s Conservation Lands Program. While working tirelessly to protect these special places, Karen was also an avid and gifted photographer, taking many stunning photos of the landscapes she so loved. Passionate, articulate, stylish, and hilarious, Karen passed away from cancer in 2020. She is missed but not forgotten by her family, friends, peers and colleagues.

To view some of Karen’s landscape photography see here.