Forest Enhancement Society of B.C. has received $119,103,098 in applications for its fifth intake to fund projects that advance environmental and resource stewardship of B.C.’s forests.
The amount of requests is almost double the $63 million available, FESBC noted in a press release.
“We are delighted with the number of good quality proposals,” said Steve Kozuki, executive director of FESBC.
“Our team of forest professionals guided proponents through the application process to ensure funding is well spent on projects that have meaningful impact.”
In the Cariboo Chilcotin region, 34 proposals were received, in Kootenay-Boundary 30 proposals, South Coast 10 proposals, Omineca 5 proposals, Northeast one proposal, Thompson Okanagan 32 proposals, Skeena 12 proposals, West Coast six proposals and province-wide two proposals.
Of the total 132 applications, First Nations organizations submitted 45 requesting $38,744,613.
Read more: First Nations collaborating to rehabilitate forests
Areas covered by the proposals include wildfire risk reduction — 86 applications, forest carbon initiatives — 33 applications, improving low value forests — 10 applications, improving wildlife habitat — two applications and supporting the use of fibre - one application.
Aleece Laird, communications liaison confirmed the application decisions should be completed by the third week of March.
To date FESBC has approved funding for 171 projects valued at $163 million to organizations like community forests, municipalities, and First Nations. Many of those were in the Cariboo Chilcotin. Many of those have been in the Cariboo Chilcotin.
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