Dedicated, Stable Funding

Modern wildlife legislation requires predictable, dedicated funding that links provincial revenue to provincial expenditure on wildlife and habitat.
Protecting Wildlife Habitat
Protecting wildlife and habitat in British Columbia

300,000+ British Columbians

The strength of our advocacy comes from our diversity. By bringing together traditionally separate groups under a shared respect for nature, we ensure that the provincial government hears the collective voice of BC’s outdoor community. Healthy habitats mean abundant wildlife, thriving fish populations, and a vibrant future for outdoor recreation.
BC Nature
Fraser Valley Salmon Society
Ducks Unlimited Canada
BCWF
28
Organizations

Why We Need Dedicated, Stable Funding for Wildlife

Fish, wildlife and habitat conservation in British Columbia is significantly underfunded, with current investments falling far short of what is needed to protect and restore ecosystems across the province. 

The coalition supports the principle that everyone who benefits from BC’s landscapes should contribute to their stewardship and conservation. However, existing funding mechanisms are often used to support core government responsibilities rather than generating additional conservation outcomes.

The coalition asks for the creation of a long-term, stable, and dedicated funding model that ensures funds are directed toward habitat restoration, stewardship, and on-the-ground conservation initiatives.

  • WSSBC
  • BC Federation of Fly Fishers
  • Outdoor Recreation Council of BC
  • Wilderness Tourism Association of BC
  • Wildlife Stewardship Council
  • Commercial Bear Viewing Association
  • Yellowstone to Yukon
  • Watershed Watch Salmon Society
  • Raincoast Conservation Foundation
  • Traditional Bowhunters of BC
  • Guide Outfitters Association of BC
  • Fraser Valley Angling Guide Association
  • Skeena Wild
  • Ducks Unlimited Canada
  • CPAWS BC
  • United Bowhunters of BC
  • Great River Fishing
  • Fraser Valley Salmon Society
  • Coast to Cascades Grizzley Bear Intiative
  • British Columbia Chapter of Backcountry Hunters & Anglers
  • BC Fishing Tourism Association
  • Wildsight
  • BC Federation of Drift Fishers
  • Hunters for BC
  • BC Trappers Association
  • BC Nature
  • The Steelhead Society of British Columbia
  • BCWF

1. Establish an Independent, Dedicated Wildlife & Habitat Fund

Core position: Fish, wildlife and habitat funding in BC must be reliable, long-term, and independently governed and administered.

Key Ask: Create a long-term, independent fund that is:

  • Protected from general revenue
  • Independently governed and administered
  • Transparent, audited, and publicly reported 
  • Focused on measurable conservation outcomes 
  • Inclusive of Indigenous participation in decision-making
  • Open to government, industry, and philanthropic contributions

Recommended Structure:

  • A centralized funding model with the Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation (HCTF) as the primary delivery mechanism
  • Conservation surcharge revenue and some other sources of income/grants are going through HCTF already, but several existing and new sources of funding, including compensation funding (e.g., FWCP), should also go through this external funding mechanism   

2. Ensure Dedicated Funding Supports Conservation

Core position: Dedicated funding must support community groups, NGOs and First Nations, and not be used for core government responsibilities. Its purpose is to generate additional conservation outcomes outside government capacity.

Dedicated funding should support:

  • Habitat protection
  • Habitat restoration
  • Habitat enhancement 
  • Stewardship partnerships
  • Community-based conservation initiatives
  • Indigenous-led conservation programs
  • Academic Research (leveraging dollars for MITACS, etc)

Dedicated funding should NOT be used for:

  • Routine monitoring
  • Wildlife inventories
  • Regulatory oversight
  • Government staffing obligations
  • Fulfilling government’s commitment to government-to-government relationships/ consultations
  • Activities that are already government obligations

These core functions should be supported through sufficiently stable government base budgets.

3. Redirect Existing Revenue Sources to Conservation

Core position: Those who benefit from or impact fish, wildlife, and habitat in BC must contribute to this dedicated fund, and related revenues should be reinvested directly into conservation outcomes.

Key Ask: Consider additional revenue sources, including:

  • Industry compensation programs (e.g., BC Hydro FWCP)
  • HCTF surcharges
  • Redirect hunting, trapping and guide outfitting licence fees 
  • Wildlife Act and other environmental fines and penalties
  • Other conservation-related fees and surcharges

4. Explore New Dedicated Revenue Sources

Core Position: In order to meet the funding needs of BC’s fish, wildlife and habitat, additional revenue streams will be needed that support conservation without competing directly with the general revenue.

Key Ask: Consider additional revenue streams, including:

  • Industry compensation mechanisms
    • Mining projects, wind projects, hydroelectric, oil/gas infrastructure and pipelines (important because of lack of EIA)
  • Voluntary tourism stewardship contributions
  • License plate fees
  • Public-private partnerships
  • Philanthropic contributions
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Our Partners Span British Columbia

The Fish, Wildlife and Habitat Coalition of BC is comprised of multidisciplinary experts whose diverse knowledge and experience strengthen conservation efforts across the province. We are 28 organizations representing more than 300,000 British Columbians. Take a look at our partners' list and discover how you are represented!
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