The College of New Caledonia Research Forest Society is welcoming proposals for environmentally-focused projects.
The successful applicants can receive up to $50,000 through the Society's legacy fund to continue their work sustaining and revitalizing local natural resources.
Launched in 2019, the fund is made available through the harvest and sale of timber affected by spruce beetles within CNC's research forest north of Prince George. Since 2019, the fund has provided $190,000 to projects in northern British Columbia.
“Originally the funding was intended for environmental improvement works within the CNC research forest, but the Society recognized the unique opportunity of serving the broader CNC region,” said research forest manager Carl Pollard. “We are seeing great results from all the funding recipients so far because each of those projects are led by local people who are passionate about improving the greater CNC communities.”
Last year, two grants, each for the maximum amount of $50,000, were awarded: The Fraser Headwaters Alliance for their work upgrading the historic Goat River Trail and the Nazko First Nation’s Landscape Recovery program for their work reclaiming native plants and restoring habitats.
“Each year there is a surprising variety of proposals because the fund is available to proponents within a vast territory,” continued Pollard. “We hope to see that again with this year’s applications so we can support another group that is ready and motivated, but just needs our funding to cross the finish line.”
The fund is open to individuals, businesses, community groups, First Nations communities, government agency, as well as secondary and post-secondary schools within the communities CNC serves (Prince George, Bear Lake, McLeod Lake, Mackenzie, Quesnel, Fort St. James, Vanderhoof, and Burns Lake).
Visit the Research Forest Society Legacy Fund for more information on the program and full application details. The deadline for submissions is February 10, 2023.
