(UPDATE) Fish and wildlife program to start accepting grant applications for 2026 projects

Updated, July 29th, 11:00 a.m.: This article has been updated to remove mentions of Site C; the FWCP exists to address fish and wildlife impacts resulting from the W.A.C. Bennett and Peace Canyon dams, not Site C. Energeticcity.ca is happy to set the record straight.

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — Grant applications are now being accepted for programs to enhance and conserve Peace region fish and wildlife in areas impacted by some BC Hydro dams.

The Fish and Wildlife Compensation Program (FWCP) — a partnership between BC Hydro, the provincial government, Fisheries and Oceans Canada and various public interest stakeholders and First Nations — announced in a press release that it’s accepting new grant applications starting July 28th.

The FWCP exists to address BC Hydro’s obligations to address fish and wildlife impacts from the construction of the W.A.C. Bennett and Peace Canyon dams, both located near Hudson’s Hope.

“We’re looking for quality grant applications and encouraging projects with other funding partners to leverage our grants for greater positive ecological effect,” says Chelsea Regina, the FWCP’s Peace region manager. “This year, our Peace region board approved approximately $2.1 million for eight fish and 17 wildlife projects. Now we’re looking ahead to projects that will start after March 2026.”

Projects approved as part of last year’s intake include the removal of culverts to improve fish passage through the Peace region, studying the movements of local bird and bat populations to learn more about their habitats and assessing the health of local wetlands.

The FWCP is currently working to update its guidance documents for prospective grant applicants. 

After applications open, interested groups will be required to submit a Notice of Intent (NOI) document outlining their project by September 7th. Full grant applications will need to be completed by November 3rd.

For people interested in learning more, the FWCP is hosting two online information sessions over the coming weeks outlining what’s required in an NOI and providing a general overview of its grants.

The NOI info session is happening on August 7th, while the general grant overview is scheduled for October 2nd.

The FWCP website has registration details.