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.

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

1. Establish an Independent, Dedicated Wildlife & Habitat Fund

Ask: Create a long-term, independent funding mechanism dedicated exclusively to fish, wildlife, and habitat conservation in British Columbia.

The fund should be:

  • 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

Ask: 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 the 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

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

Revenue sources that should feed into this fund:

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

4. Explore New Dedicated Revenue Sources

Ask: Assess additional revenue streams that could support conservation WITHOUT competing directly with general revenue.

These may include

  • Tourism and lodging taxes (e.g., Oregon lodging tax)
  • Voluntary tourism stewardship contributions
  • License plate fees
  • Recreation fees (e.g, non-resident camping, access, license)
  • Industry compensation mechanisms
    • mining projects, wind projects, hydroelectric,
    • oil & gas infrastructure and pipelines (important because of lack of EIA)
  • 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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