Coast Opportunity Funds – Conservation Fund
The Conservation Fund is a long-term fund for eligible First Nations designed to support activities that maintain or improve the Great Bear Rainforest. Some eligible projects revelevant to Guardian Watchmen programs include: Science, research, and monitoring for conservation; conservation, protected Area and cultural zone resource planning and management; protection/interpretation of biophysical or cultural resources; monitoring compliance with conservation management plans; habitat restoration activities; and capacity building (training, organizing, educating, relationship building).
604-684-0223
info@coastfunds.ca
Coast Opportunity Funds oversees and manages $116 million provided by the Province of British Columbia, the Government of Canada, and six private foundations, in two funds:
• The Conservation Fund, a long-term fund designed to support activities that maintain or improve the Great Bear Rainforest.
• The Economic Development Fund, a shorter-term fund designed to create sustainable businesses and community-based employment opportunities over seven years.
The goals for Participating First Nations include:
• Enhancing First Nations ability to apply their knowledge about ecological systems and function to the management of ecosystems, protected areas, lands and resources in the Project Area
• Providing First Nations with the capacity to participate effectively in the management of protected areas and ecosystems within the Project Area
• Providing First Nations with the capacity to restore damaged habitat
• Providing First Nations with capacity to maintain a permanent base of jobs – seasonal or full time – to support conservation planning, research, monitoring and interpretation
• Studying, documenting, and interpreting ecosystem function and processes
• Launching collaborative actions that will sustain and enhance the biodiversity, productive capacity and resilience of ecosystems in the Project Area to ensure the sustainability of cultural and traditional resources, such as fish, wildlife and cedar in perpetuity
• Maintaining, restoring or enhancing habitats and ecosystem productivity in protected areas to ensure populations of migratory birds are maintained or enhanced, species at risk or of special concern are stabilized and enhanced where possible, and productive riparian areas are maintained and restored.
Examples of eligible projects include:
• Science, research, and monitoring for conservation matters
• Conservation, Protected Area and cultural zone resource planning and management consistent with ecosystem-based management
• First Nation participation in joint conservation management initiatives
• Protection/interpretation of biophysical or cultural resources in Protected Areas or areas of specific biological or cultural significance
• Monitoring compliance with conservation management plans
• Habitat restoration activities
• Capacity building (training, organizing, educating, relationship building)
• Planning and development of resource department operating strategic plans, operating plans, or funding applications.
Up to $100,000 per First Nation.
There are 4 application deadlines in 2012 - February 3, April 27, August 10, and October 19. Contact Coast Opportunity Funds directly for more information about accessing funds for your community.
Must be a participating First Nation.
