Caribou habitat restoration project gets over $2 million boost in northern B.C.

A caribou habitat in the Omineca-Peace region is receiving a significant boost in conservation support.

The Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation announced in a press release over $9.4 million in funding for 163 conservation and conservation stewardship projects throughout B.C., with over $2 million going towards projects in the Omineca and Peace regions.

One of the projects in the region, led by Chu Cho Environmental in collaboration with Tsay Keh Dene Nation, aims to restore low-elevation core caribou habitat.

Project leader Sean Rapai said that the project team identified the Swannell Valley and Wədzih Yinè’ Indigenous Protected and Conserved Area as priorities for restoration.

“We now seek to make roads within the Swannell Valley and Wədzih Yinè’ Indigenous Protected and Conserved Area less suitable for alternative prey species, predator travel, and enhance caribou summer and winter core range,” he said.

This year, so far, the project received a $71,029 funding from the HCTF.

According to the press release, for over 40 years, HCFT has provided more than $242 million in grants to conservation projects and programs.

“Each year, the conservation surcharge from these contributors fund over 100 fish, wildlife, and habitat projects, supporting projects leaders such as Chu Cho Environmental in their work to restore caribou habitat,” Dan Buffett, CEO of HCFT, added.

“This project is a great example of working in partnerships to reduce the habitat degradation of linear features and return the area back on a trajectory of improving forest health that better supports caribou and the many wildlife species relying on contiguous, unfragmented forested areas.”

Randene Neill, minister of water, land and resource stewardship, added that the foundation is a key partner in the ministry’s ongoing support for wildlife, healthy ecosystems, habitat conservation and biodiversity.

“The project to restore caribou habitat in the Omineca-Peace region is just one example of how our government is working with First Nations, communities, scientists, environmental groups, and dedicated individuals to enhance fish and wildlife habitat throughout this beautiful province,” she said.

Some of the other projects supported in Omineca-Peace region include:

• $20,000 in funding to restore high-quality kokanee, bull trout, and rainbow trout habitat in Sitlika Creek by repairing a flood-damaged section;
• $965,679 in funding over three years for caribou habitat restoration in high-priority areas near Tumbler Ridge, benefitting the Quinette herd
• $70,000 in funding to determine behaviour, habitat selection, and migratory pathways of elk in the Vanderhoof area to support regional and provincial management