$1.6M approved fish and wildlife projects in Peace region

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — The Fish & Wildlife Compensation Program’s (FWCP) Peace Region board has approved $1.6 million in funding for 28 fish and wildlife projects.

The funding aims to help at-risk species in the region by supporting on-the-ground projects such as restoring abandoned resource roads in
the habitat of the Chase caribou herd, improving habitat for moose, enhancing waterfowl nesting habitat with nest boxes and floating islands, and improving fish passage.

According to a FWCP release Tuesday, the funding will also assist project partners conducting research to inform long-term recovery for key species.

Funding was also approved for Motus tracking of birds and bats — such as the little brown myotis bat and the bank swallow — to help identify critical habitat conservation measures, and for assessing habitat needs for the at-risk olive-sided flycatcher.

Money will also go toward the Nak’azdli Whut’en project to use GPS collars to track wolves in the range of the Wolverine caribou herd, which will provide critical information to develop conservation and enhancement actions to support the herd’s recovery.

“We’re funding a wide range of projects to fill data gaps and inform next steps for on-the-ground work that will enhance habitat for priority species in the Peace Region,” says Chelsea Coady, the FWCP’s Peace Region manager.

“We continue to support local First Nations in their conservation efforts, including Nak’azdli Whut’en, a Nation we’re providing project funding to for the first time this year.”

Other projects also approved for this year include environmental education for First Nation youth, nesting enhancements for waterfowl, improving fish passage, and projects that will benefit, Stone’s sheep, bull trout, Arctic grayling, grizzly bear, and birds.

The FWCP is a partnership between BC Hydro, the Province of B.C., Fisheries and Oceans Canada, First Nations, and public stakeholders to conserve and enhance fish and wildlife in watersheds impacted by BC Hydro dams with annual funding from BC Hydro.

Across B.C., the FWCP has approved approximately $10.2 million for 89 projects in its Coastal, Columbia, and Peace regions to support regional fish and wildlife priorities.

The Peace Region board approved funding for Motus tracking of birds and bats—such as the little brown myotis bat and the bank swallow—to help identify critical habitat conservation measures, and for assessing habitat needs for the at-risk olive-sided flycatcher.

They are also supporting a Nak’azdli Whut’en project to use GPS collars to track wolves in the range of the Wolverine caribou herd, which will provide critical information to develop conservation and enhancement actions to support the herd’s recovery.

“We’re funding a wide range of projects to fill data gaps and inform next steps for on-the-ground work that will enhance habitat for priority species in the Peace Region,” says Chelsea Coady, the FWCP’s Peace Region manager.

“We continue to support local First Nations in their conservation efforts, including Nak’azdli Whut’en, a Nation we’re providing project funding to for the first time this year.”

Other projects approved this year also include environmental education for First Nation youth, nesting enhancements for waterfowl, improving fish passage, and projects that will benefit, Stone’s sheep, bull trout, Arctic grayling, grizzly bear, and birds.

The FWCP is a partnership between BC Hydro, the Province of B.C., Fisheries and Oceans Canada, First Nations, and public stakeholders to conserve and enhance fish and wildlife in watersheds impacted by BC Hydro dams with annual funding from BC Hydro.

Across B.C., the FWCP has approved approximately $10.2 million for 89 projects in its Coastal, Columbia, and Peace regions to support regional fish and wildlife priorities.

Read the Peace Region project list at fwcp.ca/projectlists and visit the interactive project map at fwcp.ca/peace-region.

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