The Caribou Habitat Restoration Fund Grants

The Caribou Habitat Restoration Fund Grants

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation
Last Updated: September 19, 2025

Summary

The Caribou Habitat Restoration Fund (CHRF) provides critical funding for projects aimed at restoring high-value caribou habitats in British Columbia. Managed by the Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation, CHRF supports initiatives that reduce caribou mortality through functional restoration of linear features like roads and seismic lines, and ecological restoration of adjacent habitats. Applications are encouraged to seek significant partner contributions to maximize environmental benefits and ensure long-term success.

Overview

Background The Caribou Habitat Restoration Fund (CHRF) is managed by the Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation for the purpose of restoring high-value habitat for caribou in BC using functional and ecological restoration methods. The CHRF is made possible by contributions from the Province of BC and Environment and Climate Change Canada. The Caribou Habitat Restoration Fund (CHRF) supports projects that help reduce caribou mortality in the short-term by functionally restoring linear features, such as roads and seismic lines, and secondly by restoring linear features to their adjacent intact habitat types through ecological restoration. Project Funding There is no upper limit to the amount of money an application can request, however, keep in mind that HCTF’s goal is to allocate this money to habitat restoration projects that, in aggregate, will provide the maximum benefit to caribou. Priority will be given to projects that secure significant partner contributions (cash and in-kind). We encourage applicants to target a 0.5 to 1 funding match. Multi-Year Projects The CHRF accepts applications for projects up to 3 years in duration (or 1 or 2 years). For multi-year projects funds will be released in installments and the submission of a Progress Update will be required each year so HCTF staff and the technical review committee can assess that the project is on track. Types of Restoration Projects Prioritized for Funding: Focus on the functional restoration of roads or other linear features adjacent or leading to areas of intact, high-value caribou habitat. Focus on treating disturbance features where natural vegetation recovery is not occurring, or is limited, with the treatment focused on the site-specific limiting factor. Focus on reducing the suitability of matrix habitat for primary prey such as planting or treating areas with high shrub production. Please see FAQs for additional guidelines.

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. Any individual or organization capable of restoring habitat for caribou in British Columbia. To maximize the benefits for caribou using the funds available, the Province of BC has identified priority herds and developed guidelines for selecting restoration areas and activities that will benefit these herds.There is no upper limit to the amount of money an application can request, however, keep in mind that HCTF’s goal is to allocate this money to habitat restoration projects that, in aggregate, will provide the maximum benefit to caribou.Eligible Activities:Pre-treatment inventory and planning: Pre-treatment inventory and development of treatment prescriptions for sites that have been identified as high priority for caribou habitat restoration. Completion of documentation necessary to support permitting requirements. Purchasing plant stock (trees and shrubs).Functional Restoration Treatments Designed to reduce the use of linear features by caribou predators and people. activities can include: Mounding/berming;Ripping/scarification; Roll back and placement of coarse woody material;Tree felling;Winter planting;Sowing of native shrub and tree seed;Tree bending; Line blocking;Bar mounding;Angle slicing; and,Constructing and installing fences.Public education signage to explain access control measures (not regulatory signage).Ecological Restoration Treatments: Designed to return disturbed ecosystems back to their pre-disturbed state. Activities can include:Winter planting;Sowing of native shrub and tree seed;Lichen transplants;Control of herbaceous or other competing plant species;Fertilization to increase rate of re-establishment of target vegetation; and,Site preparation activities and earthworks deemed necessary for successful revegetation of target species prior to planting. May include soil inversion, ripping, scarification, re- contouring, etc.Operational oversight of restoration activities.Monitoring:Field verification to ensure treatments are delivered as planned.Monitoring vegetation response to treatment: Vegetation surveys; and/or, Lichen surveys. Monitoring wildlife response to treatment:Natural sign and track surveys; and/or, Remote camera monitoring of wildlife response for new CHRF projects will only be considered in exceptional circumstances. Monitoring human response to treatments reducing access:Questionnaire surveys; Track surveys; and/or, Remote cameras.Reporting:Conducting analysis and reporting on results of operational treatments. Production of extension material to highlight project specific results and to garner general support for habitat restoration activities.

Ineligibility

Ineligible activities include, but are not limited to: Project TypesHigh-level landscape or range plans, including planning strategic coordination and prioritization of restoration efforts (development of restoration plans/site prescriptions for areas identified as being high priority for caribou habitat restoration by the Province are eligible). Mapping projects that are not essential to site-specific caribou habitat restoration activities. Purchase or acquisition of land.Rehabilitation and Rearing ActivitiesRehabilitation, captive breeding, feeding or control of wildlife species. Maternal penning.Communications and EventsDevelopment or production of hunting, tour, or curriculum guidebooks or publication materials. Conferences, lecture series, or conventions. Production or sponsorship of commercial programs. Organizational fundraising. Creation or management of electronic databases, websites or file systems.Training, Wages and MaterialsTraining costs for contractors for activities not directly related to the project. Salaries for regular government employees (Employee time should be listed as in-kind). OtherLegal Fees and Insurance costs. Activities to fulfil statutory or legal requirements. Law enforcement activities and general patrols. Regulatory signage or information projects on regulations.  Archeological assessments. Capital Assets (item per unit over $1,000).