Projects approved for environment grants—and more are invited to apply

by Keith Powell — May 26, 2015

A grizzly bear hair sample collected from barbed wire wrapped around a rub tree.

(Columbia Basin) – Thirty-nine projects have recently been granted a combined total of over $1.3 million from Columbia Basin Trust's Environment Grants. Funds are also currently available for groups seeking grants of up to $10,000 for their environmental projects.

Groups are encouraged to apply as soon as possible at cbt.org/applyenvironment. As funding is limited, applications will be considered as they arrive. Projects needing more than $10,000 can apply for funding in the fall.

“We appreciate all the work people throughout the Basin are doing to help preserve the natural assets of our region and address pressing environmental issues,” said Tim Hicks, Columbia Basin Trust Manager, Water and Environment. “Projects of all sizes can yield significant benefits, and we encourage groups with requests of up to $10,000 to come forward as soon as possible with their project ideas.”

Successful projects from the last intake include ones that strengthen ecosystems, help communities mitigate and adapt to climate change, and support environmental education—all of which address goals in the Trust’s Environment Strategic Plan.

The BC Conservation Foundation is one of the groups that has received project funding. Its project involves conducting a study on the conservation of grizzly bears in the Flathead and Elk Valley and providing recommendations to improve human safety and reduce human-bear conflicts.

“This project helps grizzly bear management staff make conservation decisions for grizzly bears,” said Garth Mowat, Wildlife Research Biologist, BC Ministry of Natural Resources. “Because it is based on broad public participation, it educates the public about grizzly behaviour, biology and population trends.”

See the complete list of projects approved for funding.

To learn more about the Trust's other environmental priorities, visit cbt.org/environment.

Columbia Basin Trust supports efforts to deliver social, economic and environmental benefits to the residents of the Columbia Basin. To learn more about the Trust’s programs and initiatives, visit cbt.org or call 1.800.505.8998.