A fifth round of funding to the tune of $63 million is being made available by the Forest Enhancement Society of BC (FESBC) beginning Oct. 1.
Since its inception, FESBC has awarded grants for 171 projects with a combined total value of $163 million, said Steve Kozuki, FESBC executive director.
“Our society deploys grant funding to organizations like community forests, municipalities, and First Nations who implement projects focused on a variety of treatments on Provincial Crown forest lands.”
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FESBC has a team of forest professionals that help those applying for funding and guiding the process to ensure the ensuing work done across the province utilizes the best strategies, Kozuki added, noting the society’s mandate is to ensure funding is well spent on projects that will have meaningful impact.
With $63 million available during the fifth intake, $30 million is earmarked for carbon emission reduction and $33 million for projects fulfilling the society’s purpose to prevent and mitigate the impact of wildfires, as well as and other objectives.
“This is a dual stream intake,” Kozuki said. “The focus for carbon emission reduction will select projects focused on fibre utilization which reduce greenhouse gases, for example, by utilizing low value trees instead of burning them in slash piles. This will be an open intake with funding available until dollars are depleted, anticipated to take three years.”
The $33-million has a deadline for proposals of Nov. 30, 2018 and will be for Wildlife Risk Reduction and other projects.
Once the board receives the applications it will independently start the process of looking through each one to assess its merit and fit to fulfill multiple FESBC purposes.
“All projects put forward by proponents are developed in collaboration with the land manager from the Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations & Rural Development,” said FESBC board chair Wayne Clogg. “Our job is to ensure the project is on Provincial Crown land, aligns with FESBC’s purposes, and is consistent with the priorities of the land manager.”
Proponents looking to apply, are asked to contact the society directly.
“Our team is here to assist interested proponents,” Kozukisaid. “We invite people to call us at 1-877-225-2010 or e-mail office@fesbc.ca and our team can help confirm the project’s eligibility and walk them through the process. We want projects to have success and receive funding if they are in alignment with our purposes.”
An online Application Guide can be found on the FESBC website at www.fesbc.ca.
It will provide information on application deadlines, project parameters, and available funding.
There is no set deadline for the Carbon Emission Reduction projects.
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With files from Forest Enhancement Society of BC
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