The Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation (HCTF) is proud to announce $9.2 million in funding for more than 180 individual wildlife, freshwater fish, and habitat conservation projects across British Columbia this year.
HCTF’s CEO Dan Buffett is pleased to report that the 2020/21 grant season has set a record for the Foundation’s highest annual investment and reflects the contributions and hard work of many British Columbians that fund and implement these projects. To date, HCTF has funded almost 3,000 conservation projects and granted over $189 million in funds across the length and breadth of this ecologically diverse province.
“Funding all these projects is no small feat,” said Buffett. “But it is thanks to the diversity of funding from our core contributors (hunters, anglers, trappers and guides), court awards, provincial government contributions and endowments, and our partners such as the Forest Enhancement Society of BC (FESBC).”
HCTF supports a variety of conservation projects across the province. Some highlights from this year’s list of approved projects include (accompanying photos below):
- $25,000 for Roosevelt Elk recovery on Vancouver Island and relocation efforts throughout the west coast.
- $90,000 to investigate habitat requirement for Goshawks in Southern Coastal BC.
- $150,000 for the Kootenay Region River Guardian Program, designed to improve the quality of angling and protect native sport fish populations.
- $100,000 for research into Mule deer response wildfire and habitat change in the Okanagan.
- $60,000 in support of the the Kilnse-Zaa/Scott caribou herd maternal penning project in the south Peace region.
- $70,000 for research into moose population trends and calving rates in the Cariboo and Thompson regions.
FESBC Executive Director Steve Kozuki is “thrilled to partner with the trusted and respected Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation to improve wildlife habitat. With their first-in-class management of funds and projects by talented and professional staff, we know that we are maximizing benefits for wildlife in British Columbia.”
Each project funded through HCTF is reviewed by a multi-level, objective technical review process prior to final Board review and decision. HCTF’s Board of Directors ensures that species important to BC anglers and hunters are supported but also place a great deal of importance on conserving biodiversity-rich ecosystems, habitat for many fish and wildlife species including 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 2020-21 Approved Project List or our 2020-21 Project Map.
Download Regional Copies of News Release
Photos
(Additional images available upon request)
1-599 West Coast Roosevelt Elk Augmentation and Recovery Project
2-641 Goshawk diet and foraging requirements across habitat types in South Coastal BC
4-444 Kootenay Region River Guardian Program
7-436 Enhancing caribou survival within the Klinse-Za/Scott herds, Caribou in the maternal pen
8-408 Mule deer response to wildfire and habitat change in southern British Columbia
0-541 Determining factors affecting moose population change: assessing calving and survival rates
0-539 Increasing Fisher Habitat Stewardship in the Forest Sector
0-476 Got Bats? B.C. Community Outreach, Conservation and Citizen Science Project, setting up bat box
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.
- 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 BC’s forests by: 1) preventing and mitigating the impact of wildfires; 2) improving damaged or low value forests; 3) improving habitat for wildlife; 4) supporting the use of fibre from damaged and low value forests; and 5) treating forests to improve the management of greenhouse gases.
- As of January 30, 2020, FESBC has supported 250 projects valued at $233 million, in partnership with the Province of BC and the Government of Canada.
