The mission of the Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation (HCTF) is to invest in projects that maintain and enhance the health and biological diversity of British Columbia’s fish, wildlife, and habitats so that people can use, enjoy, and benefit from these resources.
The HCTF came into existence because its major contributors (hunters, anglers, trappers, and guide-outfitters) were willing to pay for conservation work above and beyond that required by government for basic management of wildlife and fish resources. Unlike license fees that cover basic management costs, conservation investments funded by HCTF surcharges should benefit contributors by enhancing their opportunities to use and enjoy wildlife and fish resources.
The HCTF funds a variety of conservation work including:
- Conservation projects that restore, maintain, or enhance native wild freshwater fish populations and habitats.
- Conservation projects that restore, maintain, or enhance native wildlife populations and habitats.
- Work required to initiate or to ensure the success of eligible conservation projects, as described above.
- Information, education, and stewardship projects that enhance users’ enjoyment of fish, wildlife, and habitats or that foster human attitudes and behaviours favourable to management and conservation.
- Projects that acquire land or interests in land to secure the value of these areas for conservation purposes.
These investments contribute to healthy and diverse populations of native fish and wildlife by improving knowledge, restoring or managing habitats, and enabling stewardship. Research funding will be limited to projects having a direct application in management or conservation of native fish, wildlife, and habitats.
The uniqueness of the HCTF comes from its dedicated funding obtained from angling, hunting, trapping, and guiding licence surtaxes; its provincial scope; its engagement of common but committed citizens; its ability to fund acquisition of key habitats; and, for certain projects, its ability to fund up to 100% of costs.
While the HCTF is supported primarily by hunters, anglers, trappers and guide-outfitters, it welcomes donations from all people and organizations who wish to further its conservation mission.
