Caribou

The intake for 2022-23 CHRF grant applications is now open. This webpage provides application information for full CHRF grants. If you are interested in applying for seed funding to help put together a full CHRF proposal for next year’s intake, please see the seed grant instructions.

Please note: CHRF funding is specifically for projects actively restoring caribou habitat in BC. If you are seeking funding for another type of caribou conservation project, please see our Enhancement and Restoration grant page or email chrf@hctf.ca for clarification.

CHRF Application Process

Please read through all of the following information before beginning your application. Even if you’ve completed a CHRF application before, there are some changes to the process and forms for this cycle.

1) Ensure you’ve read and understand all of the information in the “Overview” tab.

2) Download the version of the 2022-23 CHRF Proposal Writing Instructions & Worksheet Word document that’s appropriate for your project.

Projects that have never received CHRF funding before should use the version for “New Projects“.
Projects that have received CHRF funding before should use the version for “Continuing Projects“.
Both types of projects will use the same form in the online application system, but will be presented with different question sets depending on whether they are “New” or “Continuing”.

You aren’t required to submit copies of the worksheets with your proposal and can compose your answers directly in the online form if you prefer. However, we do ask that you read all of the instructions in the Word documents as they provide additional detail to those provided in the online form.

Refer to the Review tab to learn how your application will be assessed, and keep this in mind as you plan your proposal.

CHRF Proposal Writing Instructions & Worksheet for NEW projects

CHRF Proposal Writing Instructions & Worksheet for CONTINUING projects

3) Download the 2022-23 CHRF Activity & Budget Detail Spreadsheet, Instructions, and Sample.

The Excel spreadsheet is where you’ll provide details on your proposed activities for 2022-23, their expected outcomes, and the amount of money you are requesting from HCTF. Please review the instructions and sample document before filling out this spreadsheet. You will upload the completed spreadsheet in the online application system.

CHRF Activity & Budget Detail Spreadsheet

4) Read the Instructions for Preparing your Map, Shapefiles and Other Supporting Documents

As part of your application, you will need to submit a map and shapefile. Please download and review the instructions below.

Instructions for Maps, Shapefiles and Other Supporting Documents

5) Read our FAQs for instructions on using the online application system to submit your proposal.

FAQ Document

6) Complete and submit your application using Survey Apply.

Please note that all applications must be submitted online using Survey Apply. HCTF cannot accept applications by email.

Apply Online

The deadline for submitting your proposal is 4:30 PM PDT on Friday, November 5, 2021.

Questions?

Questions about the application process can be directed to Shannon West by telephone (250 940 9789) or by emailing chrf@hctf.ca.

The Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation is piloting seed grants for CHRF projects in 2022-23. The purpose of seed funding is to reduce barriers for groups that want to restore high-value habitat for caribou but require some assistance with preparing a full CHRF proposal.

How much money can a seed grant application request?

Applicants can request up to $10,000 for the development of a full, technically sound proposal for a new caribou habitat restoration project. The goal of this pilot is to help groups that have identified and want to restore anthropogenic disturbances in high-value caribou habitat, but require some assistance with preparing a full proposal that meets the technical requirements of a full CHRF grant proposal.

What can seed grants be used for?

Eligible activities for seed grants are restricted to those necessary to prepare a full CHRF proposal. For example, hiring a contractor with expertise in restoration of caribou habitat to help gather and prepare the information for a full application, or costs for some stakeholder engagement. We suggest referring to the “CHRF Proposal Writing Instructions & Worksheet for New Projects” on the “Apply” tab of the CHRF webpage to understand what a full application requires.

Ineligible Activities
Seed grants are for preparation of a full CHRF proposal. They are not for small habitat restoration projects. As such, any on-the-ground restoration or monitoring work is ineligible for seed funding. You can request funding for these activities by submitting a full CHRF application: see the “Apply” tab of the CHRF webpage for details.

Please note that the following activities are ineligible for funding in either seed or full CHRF proposals:

• High-level landscape or range plans, including planning strategic coordination and prioritization of restoration efforts (development of restoration plans/site prescriptions for areas identified as being high priority for caribou habitat restoration by the Province are eligible for full CHRF grants)
• Archeological assessments
• Rehabilitation, captive breeding, feeding or control of wildlife species
• Maternal penning
• Law enforcement activities and general patrols
• Regulatory signage or information projects on regulations
• Training costs for contractors
• Mapping projects that are not essential to site-specific caribou habitat restoration activities
• Salaries for regular government employees
• Development or production of hunting, tour, or curriculum guidebooks or publication materials
• Conferences, lecture series, or conventions
• Production or sponsorship of commercial programs
• Organizational fundraising
• Creation or management of electronic databases, websites or file systems
• Insurance costs
• Legal fees
• Capital Assets (item per unit over $1000)
• Activities to fulfil statutory or legal requirements

CHRF Seed Grant Application Process

Step 1: Download the 2022-23 CHRF Instructions and Worksheet for Seed projects.

You aren’t required to submit copies of the worksheets with your proposal and can compose your answers directly in the online form if you prefer. However, we do ask that you read all of the instructions in the Word documents as they provide additional detail to those provided in the online form.

CHRF Seed Grant Worksheet

Step 2: Download and complete the 2022-23 CHRF Seed Grant Budget Detail Spreadsheet

The Excel spreadsheet is where you’ll provide details on your proposed activities for 2022-23 and the amount of money you are requesting from HCTF (up to a max of $10,000 for seed). Please review the instructions about how to fill out the partnership funding section before filling out this spreadsheet. You will upload the completed spreadsheet in the online application system.

CHRF Seed Grant Budget Spreadsheet

Step 3: Read the Instructions for Preparing your Map or Other Supporting Documents

As part of your application, you will need to submit a map and shapefile. Please download and review the instructions below.

Instructions for Maps and Other Supporting Documents

Step 4: Read our FAQs for instructions on using the online application system to submit your proposal.

Survey Apply FAQs

Step 5: Complete and submit your application using Survey Apply.

Please note that all applications must be submitted online using Survey Apply. HCTF cannot accept applications by email.

Apply Online

The deadline for submitting your proposal is 4:30 PM PDT on Friday, November 5, 2021.

Questions?

Questions about the application process can be directed to Shannon West by telephone (250 940 9789) or by emailing chrf@hctf.ca.

How will proposals be evaluated?

Applications received by the deadline will be evaluated by a technical review committee composed of caribou habitat restoration experts and the HCTF Board of Directors. Evaluation criteria considered in the review of CHRF applications include:

• Do the activities address impacts to caribou habitat from anthropogenic causes?
• Do the proposed activities support caribou habitat restoration only?
• Are the proposed activities eligible for funding as specified in the Eligible Activities list for this program?
• Will the restoration activities benefit high- or medium-priority caribou herds as identified by the Province for this cycle?
• Will the activities contribute to areas of intact habitat or recent/planned restoration?
• Is the scope of restoration activities sufficient to result in significant habitat gains for caribou?
• Are the proposed restoration sites accessible and available for restoration?
• Are the works sufficiently described to ascertain whether they will specifically address impacts to caribou habitat from anthropogenic causes?
• Are the appropriate methods being recommended to achieve the desired results?
• Is the site unlikely to regenerate naturally within a timeframe adequate for caribou conservation?
• What is the risk that the resulting habitat benefits of this work will be negated by future disturbance?
• Does the proposal describe implications for or effects on other species?
• Are the project’s objectives reasonable within the given timeframe?
• Are the costs for activities reasonable?
• What permits/authorizations are required for this work? Are plans in place to obtain these permits and authorizations?
• Are the proposed activities part of a multi-year project that is already underway? If yes, have the results of that work been positive thus far?
• Is the organization submitting the proposal capable of delivering the project?
• Does the proposal have First Nations involvement?
• Does the project have partner/co-funding support?
• Does the proposal describe probable public support or opposition to the activities?
• Does the proposal identify practical, specific, measurable indicators of success and a plan for monitoring results?
• Does the proposal include baseline data (or a plan to collect baseline data) that will allow for measurement of results?

The HCTF Board of Directors will review the recommendations of the technical review committee and make final funding decisions in March. Proponents will be notified about the status of their proposals shortly thereafter.

What happens next?

Approved proposals will be mailed a Conditional Grant Agreement. This will need to be signed and returned to HCTF prior to the first payment installment cheque being issued. Proposed project activities can begin on April 1^st of the year in which they are approved. If a proposal is approved subject to funding condition, that funding condition must be met prior to commencing any work. Note that HCTF funds multi-year projects one year at a time – if you would like funding for future years of a project, you must submit a continuing application each year. Each fiscal year’s project activities must be complete by March 31^st. Grant Reports are due annually on April 15^th.

HCTF provides customized report forms for approved CHRF projects. Beginning in fall of 2021, HCTF is transitioning to an online reporting system. Project leaders will be emailed additional information as it becomes available. In the meantime, please contact HCTF if you have questions.

Email HCTF

Instructions for Submitting Shapefiles:

Please submit a shapefile of the site you intend to restore using ESRI standard Shapefile format. All data must be spatially referenced to NAD83 and projected to BC Environmental Albers WKID: 3005 Authority: EPSG. All shapefiles must be submitted with a .prj file defining this projection and coordinate system.
Projection Information
Projection: Albers Conic Equal Area
Central Meridian: -126.0 degrees
First standard parallel: 50.0 degrees
Second standard parallel: 58.5 degrees
Latitude of reference: 45.0 degrees
False Easting: 1000000 metres
False Northing: 0 metres
All spatial data must be topologically correct (no overlaps, no gaps).

Please note that your project’s final approval is subject to you (or you organization) entering into a Conditional Grant Agreement with HCTF. In the weeks following the receipt of your preliminary approval letter, you will be mailed two copies of a conditional grant agreement and an accompanying checklist. Please read your grant agreement carefully, and complete all requirements on the checklist before returning to HCTF. Questions? Please contact our Finance Officer.

• Project Change Requests

  • If your approved project requires modifications from your original proposal in terms of objectives, activities/methodology, or budget allocation, you must submit a written request to HCTF using the Project Change Request Form. Depending on the nature of your request, it will be reviewed by either HCTF staff or an appropriate technical review committee. Project change requests must be submitted by February 15th and should be sent to chrf@hctf.ca.
  • If you wish to reallocate your budget, please also submit a revised version of the budget table you submitted with your application (Excel file).
  • If you wish to request a budget increase, please contact chrf@hctf.ca for additional instructions. Requests for budget increases will be accepted from May 1- November 1 only.

• Contract Extensions

  Contract Extension Request – Form

  Contract extensions are intended for projects where activities in the proposal could not be completed within the original timeframe. If you also have changes to your project objectives, budget or activities please submit a Project Change request form (see above).

  If you are unable to complete your project within the fiscal year of your Conditional Grant Agreement (April 1 through March 31st, unless otherwise specified), you will need to request a Contract Extension to extend your Agreement into the next fiscal. The annual deadline for contract extension requests is February 15th. An email from the Finance Officer will be sent in early January with the Contract Extension Request Form and instructions to email the completed request to reporting@hctf.ca.

  Please note that even though activities and expenditures will occur in the following fiscal year, they will still be invoiced and reported on under the original Agreement. The Grant Report (see Reporting Tab) will be due when that year’s activities are complete.

  In some cases, a project may have a Contract Extension concurrently with another funded year of the project. HCTF requires that expenditures and project outcomes for each grant must always be tracked, invoiced and reported on separately. That also means that any unspent funds from one grant cannot be “rolled into” the project budget for a subsequent year.

  For example, a multi-year project may receive a contract extension to complete Year 1 activities concurrent to activities already approved for Year 2. Each of these proposals is considered a separate contract. Therefore, you must report for each of them separately by completing a Grant Report for each of these project years, reporting against their respective proposals. That is, you would submit a Grant Report for Year 1, reporting against the Year 1 proposal; and another Grant Report for Year 2, reporting against the Year 2 proposal, even though the Year 1 activities took two years and happened at the same time as the Year 2 activities.

• Acknowledgement of HCTF and the Province of British Columbia

  The support provided by HCTF and the Province of BC must be acknowledged in any publicity issued, printed or distributed, including signs, displays, reports, announcements, articles, press releases, or media interviews. Please include the following statement on any published materials:

  “We gratefully acknowledge the financial support of the Province of British Columbia through the Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development”

  Full information on HCTF communications guidelines and copies of the HCTF logo are available here.