On-going efforts to help the threatened Northern Goshawk population on the Sunshine Coast just got a lift— through a $14,700 grant to locate occupied breeding areas of this unique member of the raptor family.
Northern goshawks are found in mature forests with a heavy canopy and minimal undergrowth. Their relatively short wings and long tails make these birds extremely agile hunters in the forest. Pairs will often build multiple nests within a territory using branches and fresh evergreens. The loss and fragmentation of habitats used by Northern Goshawks for nesting and hunting threatens the future of these birds in coastal BC.
The Sunshine Coast Wildlife Project will use the grant to conduct field surveys to search for goshawk breeding areas, and to carry out community engagement to improve awareness and participation in raptor stewardship programs, through such activities as construction and installation of nest boxes for threatened Western Screech-owls.
The grant comes from the Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation and Forest Enhancement Society of BC . “We are so grateful for this funding,” says Wildlife Project Leader, Dr. Michelle Evelyn. “Goshawks have huge home ranges, thousands of hectares in size, so finding the birds and their nests is a bit like looking for a needle in a haystack. But with support from HCTF and FESBC, over the past two years, we have been able to identify three new goshawk breeding territories on the Sunshine Coast.”
The Province of BC is now working with forest companies, the shíshálh Nation, and other stakeholders to establish Wildlife Habitat Areas that will permanently protect these territories.
“Seeing healthy babies in the nests and knowing that these vital areas will be protected for the goshawks, along with the many other wildlife species that share their mature forest habitats, makes us incredibly happy,” says Evelyn.
The Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation recently received additional funding to support conservation projects focused on Northern Goshawk and another threatened coastal bird, the Marbled Murrelet. Earlier this year, the Province of British Columbia made a $500,000 contribution to the Foundation for the conservation of these two species. Individuals or organizations interested in applying for funding are encouraged to contact HCTF for further information.
Conserving Threatened Raptors on the Sunshine Coast is one of 170 BC fish and wildlife projects receiving grants from the Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation this year. For a complete list of grant recipients, visit https://hctf.ca/achievements/project-list/
Photo (click to download larger version of the file)
A project team member surveying for Northern Goshawks.
HCTF Contact:
Shannon West, Manager of Program Development
shannon.west@hctf.ca
250-940-9789
Project Contact:
Michelle Evelyn, Project Leader
Sunshine Coast Wildlife Project
coastwildlife@gmail.com
604-989-1007
Quick Facts:
- The Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation (HCTF) began as an initiative of BC anglers, hunters, trappers and guide outfitters.
- Since 1981, HCTF has provided over $180 million in grants for more than 2600 conservation projects across BC. This year, a total of $9 million has been awarded for conservation projects in all regions of the province.
- The Forest Enhancement Society of BC (FESBC) provides funding for wildlife conservation projects through the Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation’s granting process. Find out more about FESBC at https://www.fesbc.ca/
- Recovery goals for both Northern Goshawk and Marbled Murrelet are described in the Provincial Implementation Plans for these species:
- HCTF will be accepting applications for Northern Goshawk and Marbled Murrelet conservation projects in fall of 2019 through our enhancement and restoration granting program. Individuals or organizations interested in applying for funding are encouraged to contact HCTF for further information.
- You can find a complete list of HCTF-funded projects here.
