$76,000 granted to Tofino and Ucluelet Community Salmon projects by the Pacific Salmon Foundation

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November  12, 2020

$76,000 granted to Tofino and Ucluelet Community Salmon projects by the Pacific Salmon Foundation 

VANCOUVER – The Pacific Salmon Foundation (PSF) provided grants this year to four projects in the Ucluelet and Tofino area totaling $76,590 through the PSF Community Salmon Program (CSP). The total value of the projects, which includes community fundraising, contributions and volunteer time, is $1,022,460, and is focused on habitat rehabilitation and stock assessment.

  • Cedar Coast Field Station Society: Juvenile salmon assessments in Clayoquot Sound
  • Central Westcoast Forest Society: Habitat Restoration at Shuhum Creek & Hydro Hill Watershed Projects
  • Thornton Creek Enhancement Society: Juvenile Chinook Survival and Hatchery Release Strategy Project

Community volunteers planting the banks of Hydro Hill West Creek with native vegetation and log placements to provide shade and cover for Pacific salmon habitat, Ucluelet spring 2019, photo credit Rob Crenson.

“The work completed on the Hydro Hill Watershed could not have been successful without the support from Pacific Salmon Foundation. It has been incredibly uplifting to see visible improvements to habitat conditions for Coho and cutthroat trout in this creek. PSF continues to be one of the most dedicated salmon stewardship organizations in Canada,” Megan Francis, General Manager, Central Westcoast Forest Society.

“These are important projects, and we know that Pacific salmon need our help now to restore spawning habitats in streams and rivers and carry out stock assessment,” says Michael Meneer, Pacific Salmon Foundation President and CEO. “The Community Salmon Program values its partnerships with grassroot organizations like the Cedar Coast Field Station Society, the Central Westcoast Forest Society and the Thornton Creek Enhancement Society, along with all of our partners in communities across the province.”

PSF’s Community Salmon Program is funded primarily from sales of the federal government’s Salmon Conservation Stamp. The Salmon Stamp is purchased annually by saltwater anglers who participate in the public fishery. Proceeds from the $6 stamp are returned to British Columbia through PSF, generating nearly $1.5 million for community grants annually.

The Port Alberni community is also a strong financial contributor through the annual PSF Port Alberni Dinner and Auction. Though postponed for now, the local organizing committee are hopeful that the event will be able to return soon.

This spring PSF awarded more than $1.2M in grants to 117 grassroots salmon conservation projects across British Columbia. The value of these projects is nearly $10M Including local fundraising and volunteerism. Thousands of volunteers will be supported to:

  • Restore salmon habitat in streams, rivers and estuaries
  • Operate conservation hatcheries & related education programs.
  • Undertake a variety of “citizen science” projects to help better understand the challenges Pacific salmon face amidst climate change.

The Province of British Columbia also contributed funds to Community Salmon Program as part of a $5 million grant, through 2023 to address the immediate and ongoing needs of Pacific salmon and their habitats.

Community Salmon Program grants support projects from across British Columbia and the Yukon, with a focus on habitat stewardship, salmon enhancement, science and education. In addition to funds generated from the Salmon Conservation Stamp, and from the Province of BC, these grants are made possible by corporate donations from Trans Mountain, Mosaic Forest Management, BC Hydro, Enbridge, Methanex, Seaspan, FortisBC Energy. Funds are also raised through Pacific Salmon Foundation fundraising dinners, auctions and donations from individuals, foundations and businesses.

 

 

About the Pacific Salmon Foundation:

PSF is the independent, thoughtful leader and catalyst in conservation, restoration, and enhancement of Pacific salmon and their ecosystems through strategic partnerships and leveraged use of resources. www.psf.ca