Scholarship

Together for Wildlife Scholarships are now closed.

Together for Wildlife Scholarships

HCTF in partnership with the First Nations-B.C. Wildlife & Habitat Conservation Forum and the Province of British Columbia’s Together for Wildlife Initiative (T4W) awards up to 10 academic scholarships annually to Masters and PhD candidates undertaking research that will support a positive impact on stewardship, management, policy, or decision-making of wildlife in BC. These scholarships aim to support reconciliation and collaboration, diversity of perspectives and building community capacity among Indigenous communities and rural areas of BC. The scholarships intend to support research in the following areas:

• Reconciliation & Collaboration
• Terrestrial Ecosystems
• Stewardship & Management (of terrestrial ecosystems, wildlife, and wildlife habitat)
• Wildlife & Wildlife Habitat

Deadline: TBD
Level: Domestic or International students enrolled in a Masters or PhD program at a BC Post-secondary institution
Award: Ten $20K scholarships

**NOTE:** Species at risk cannot be the main focus of research for the Together for Wildlife Scholarship. This scholarship is centered on terrestrial species that are common or not at risk. If research happens to benefit a species at risk—such as through an ecosystem approach—the applicant must clearly demonstrate that the primary focus is on the broader ecosystem. The purpose of the funding is to support terrestrial species that are not at risk.

**Preference may be given to students that have not yet received a T4W scholarship**

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2023 Recipients
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Al Martin HCTF Conservation Scholarships are open for application Feb. 15, 2026 to May 1, 2026.

Al Martin HCTF Conservation Scholarship

Al Martin was a giant in the conservation community and had an influential and lengthy career in fish and wildlife management and habitat conservation. He began his career in 1977 as a biologist in Penticton BC for the Fish and Wildlife Branch, moved to Cranbrook where he worked as a fisheries biologist for over a decade before moving to Victoria to hold several senior positions including Manager of Fisheries, Director of the Watershed Restoration Program, Director of the Fish and Wildlife Branch, Executive Director and Assistant Deputy Minister of the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries.

After retiring from a 30-year career in the BC Public Service in 2010, Al actively continued to be a leader in the conservation and science-based management of BC’s fish and wildlife. He was the Director of Strategic Initiatives for the BC Wildlife Federation and a Board Director with the Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation. Al passionately worked to sustain fish and wildlife habitats and populations for the enjoyment of generations to come.

Level: Graduate

Program: Fish or Wildlife Management and/or Conservation at a British Columbia University

Criteria: Canadian Citizen or Permanent Resident of Canada

Award: Up to seven $10,000 Scholarships to be awarded annually

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2021 Recipients
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2023 Recipients
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2025 Recipients

Don McCubbing Scholarships are open for application Feb. 15, 2026 to May 1, 2026.

Don McCubbing was a fisheries biologist who passed away in 2015, much too early and will be sorely missed by all. His legacy of academic and work achievements in fisheries biology and habitat restoration included many scientific publications and innovations in fisheries management. Don strongly believed in educating and training the next generation of fisheries biologists through practical field work and technical skills training. He volunteered time training students at BCIT, an institution he believed was a leader in teaching field biology, specifically the Fish, Wildlife and Recreation and Ecological Restoration programs, where students gained practical field experience in fisheries management and habitat restoration.

For several years, Don also participated in the Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation’s Fisheries Technical Review Committee and brought a wealth of practical experience and science based decision making to the project review process. Therefore, the Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation has established up to 5 annual scholarships, Don McCubbing Scholarships, each valued at $4,000 for students pursuing studies in fish and/or wildlife conservation.

Deadline: May 1

Level: Post-secondary/Undergraduate

Award: Up to 5 scholarships each at $4,000

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Maureen Mary Wayne (1952-2000) was a Calgary native who earned a BSc in Biology from the University of Victoria in 1974. She had a varied and rewarding work history that included the City of Calgary on the Pathway Program, natural history summer programs for Parks Canada (Waterton and Lake Louise), French teacher for the Calgary Board of Education, biologist for the Federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans, biophysical inventory specialist with the BC Ministry of Environment, resource technician with Ducks Unlimited Canada, proprietor of her own consulting company, and Head, Biology and Evaluation of the Habitat Conservation Trust Fund. She was author and co-author of at least 12 scientific papers, an avid naturalist and a natural educator.

Maureen’s passion was for the flora and fauna of the west coast of British Columbia which developed from her work as an inventory biologist, estuary mapper and habitat rehabilitator. She was dedicated to conservation biology, to building conservation partnerships and to the highest standards of science-based work.

Maureen was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1995. After extensive treatments, she returned to work at the Habitat Conservation Trust Fund in 1996. Sadly, in late 1999, the cancer returned and she passed away soon-after.

This scholarship is designed to help train new biologists and to continue the high standards of scientific and conservation work that Maureen Wayne so enthusiastically embraced.

Level: Undergraduate

Program: Undergraduate students in the University of Victoria’s School of Environmental Studies who are in a major or honours program.

Award: One or more bursaries to students who are working on, or with an interest in wetland, estuaries and coastal areas.

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John Holdstock was born in Weyburn Saskatchewan on April 28th 1936 and passed away unexpectedly at his home in Kelowna on December 25th 2010 at the age of 74. John’s commitment to conservation, our resources and an outdoor way of life were second to none.

John was President of the BC Wildlife Federation from 1996 to 1998, treasurer of the Southern Interior Land Trust, president of the BCWF Political Action Alliance and chairman of the BCWF Firearms committee. John’s commitment did not go unrecognized as he twice received the President’s Award for Outstanding Volunteer Achievement and was honoured to receive the Barsby Award for Conservationist of the Year. John was also a director of the Canadian Wildlife Federation. John became a director of The British Columbia Conservation Foundation (BCCF) in 2002. He then held the position of Chair from 2003-2010.

Primary partners of John’s scholarship fund are The BC Conservation Foundation, The Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation, The Nature Trust of BC and the Southern Interior Land Trust.

The statement that was on every one of John’s emails was:

‘The world is run by those who show up’; hear it, embrace it and take action’

Level: Post-secondary

Program: Must be enrolled in the sciences or related outdoors field at a University or College in the Fall term.

For more info and to apply visit BC Conservation Foundation (BCCF):

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Former Director of Fish and Wildlife and Assistant Deputy Minister of Environment, James H. C. Walker was one of the most influential wildlife advocates over the last several decades. As a fisheries scientist with expertise in wildlife and land use management, James worked in the civil service for almost 30 years, establishing numerous conservation programs and initiatives and spearheading changes in policy and legislation. He played a key role in doubling the Provincial Park system, developing the Forest Practices Code, protecting areas like the Muskwa-Kechika watersheds and the Khutzeymateen Grizzly Bear Reserve.

“Jim was always generous with his time and advice in helping the Environmental Law Centre law students with their proposals on law reform and litigation to protect nature. Jim was one of the Environmental Elders who stood as a role model for the young people who come to UVic to save the natural world. This award will create incentive and inspiration to these [students] – who will carry on Jim’s great work”. ~ Professor Calvin Sandborn, 2017

James passed away in 2017, and after his passing, his friends established the James H.C. Walker Memorial Prize in Environmental Law for University of Victoria Environmental Law Centre Clinic Students.

Level: Graduate

Program: Students at University of Victoria’s Environmental Law Centre Clinic

Award: TBD

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McTaggart-Cowan (1910-2010) was born in Edinburgh, Scotland, in 1910, and immigrated to Canada at age three. A groundbreaker, he has influenced generations of wildlife scientists and shaped public policy on wildlife in this province.

During his 35 years as a professor at the University of British Columbia, McTaggart-Cowan became renowned through his studies and publications and was a forerunner to David Suzuki, hosting his own television series and producing more than 100 documentaries on wildlife and conservation in Canada. Ian also served as UVic’s Chancellor from 1979 to 1984 and served as the inaugural and 19-year chair of the Public Advisory Board of the Habitat Conservation Trust Fund.

Other public service contributions of McTaggart-Cowan include: founding member of the National Research Council of Canada; chair of the Environment Council of Canada; an instrumental member and later chair of the internationally acclaimed Birds of British Columbia authors team; and long-serving director of The Nature Trust of British Columbia. McTaggart-Cowan’s awards and distinctions also include Orders of Canada and British Columbia.

In 2005 the Dr. Ian McTaggart-Cowan Professorship in Biodiversity Conservation and Ecological Restoration was established at UVic with a $750,000 donation from the provincial government. Subsequent donations from the Habitat Conservation Trust, BC Hydro and many private donors increased the value of the professorship to $1 million. On April 18, 2010, McTaggart-Cowan passed away two months shy of his 100th birthday.

In 2009, the professorship was awarded for the first time to Dr. Brian Starzomski who described McTaggart-Cowan as “a wonderful researcher, teacher, mentor and conservationist, and it’s my hope to follow in his footsteps.” Brian continues to hold the position of Director & Ian McTaggart Cowan Professor at the University of Victoria’s School of Environmental Studies. You can learn more about Brian and his work here and you can watch a short video about his research here.

Ian spent his entire life as a learner and educator. In his own words:

“Evolution is never finished, and this applies equally to ideas and to organisms.”

Level: Professorship

Program: Biodiversity Conservation and Ecological Restoration at the School of Environmental Studies at University of Victoria.

Award: Ongoing professorship, currently held by Brian Starzomski.

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