BC Conservation Fund Gets Rolling

A first-of-its-kind initiative in the province, the BC Conservation Fund is now entering an exciting chapter: funding its inaugural projects. 

Launched in 2024, the Fund was created to support the long-term conservation of priority biodiverse areas across British Columbia, working together with the Province of BC, First Nations, and many other partners. The Fund is designed to help address the twin crises of biodiversity loss and climate change.

After an initial province-wide call for Expressions of Interest, the first round of full project applications has been reviewed. Projects were reviewed by the BC Conservation Fund Oversight Committee—a diverse group of experts passionate about conservation. Now, the Fund is beginning to invest in conservation projects across BC.

The largest group of projects are aimed at conserving areas important for biodiversity. “From coastal and interior wetlands that shelter endangered birds and amphibians, to old-growth forests that hold centuries of ecological memory, to watersheds that sustain both cultural lifeways and species at risk—these projects span a range of landscapes and priorities,” says Kaaren Lewis, VP Conservation at BC Parks Foundation. “Some protect rare habitats like Coastal Douglas-fir; others restore degraded areas or steward lands of deep spiritual and cultural meaning. Each one reflects a steadfast commitment to lasting care.”

Together, the projects represent an essential step towards more connected and resilient habitats, which is critical because British Columbia is the most biodiverse place in North America—yet less than 20% of its land is currently conserved.

The Fund is also supporting school districts across BC to create biodiversity on their school grounds. That not only brings more life and greenspace into urban areas, but studies show that when kids learn in nature, they perform better and are healthier.

“Increasing biodiversity on school grounds creates healthier habitats and healthier kids,” says Jennie McCaffrey, VP of Health and Education for BC Parks Foundation. “Learning in nature sparks curiosity, builds resilience, and supports mental and physical well-being. Connecting youth to nature, and real examples of BC's conservation efforts, is a powerful step towards inspiring youth agency and action in biodiversity protection."

The Fund is designed to support area-based conservation projects, innovation and education, with multiple partners involved in projects. Governments, First Nations, scientists, educators and school children, local communities, businesses, donors, non-profits, and other partners are all part of conserving and caring for BC’s biodiversity.

New conservation areas will only be designated with the support of the Province and First Nations. “Having these projects move forward with First Nation leadership and support built in from the start, and with a focus on aligning them with government-to-government agreements resulting from planning, will ensure a more united and successful approach to conserving all the biodiversity which sustains us,” says Cohen Bradley, Director of Indigenous Initiatives at BC Parks Foundation. “Respect, reciprocity, and a long-term vision for stewardship are key.”

With more than 50,000 species calling BC home—and many at-risk or not yet studied—the need for action is immediate. Many of BC’s species are important to agriculture and food production, clean air and water, culture, tourism, health, and other human benefits. We need to act now, for their survival and ours.

“The world’s greatest challenge today is to find win-win-win solutions for people, nature and climate,” says Andy Day, CEO of the Foundation. “It’s not either/or. Healthy people and economies need nature and climates to be healthy, and vice versa. It is possible to conserve the environment while also sustaining the economy of local communities, but that means doing things differently than we have in the past.”

By investing in projects that conserve and restore healthy lands and waters, the Fund helps create the conditions for stable jobs, resilient communities, and long-term prosperity. Every project supported is a step toward a future where biodiversity, livelihoods, and human well-being thrive.

Thanks to your support, we’re creating a living legacy—one that will provide benefits to people and wildlife for generations. Stay tuned as we share stories about the great people and places that are part of keeping BC beautiful for all to enjoy, forever.

Visit bcparksfoundation.ca to learn more, donate, and follow the journey.