The CNC Research Forest Society (CNCRFS) has resumed its annual search for environmentally focused projects to support through its legacy fund.
The successful applicant(s) can receive up to $50,000 to continue their work sustaining and revitalizing local natural resources.
The CNCRFS is seeking applications for projects with a focus on environmental improvement, renewable natural resource education and/or outreach programs, outdoor recreation improvement, or social/environmental commitment to local communities.
“Multiple community groups have great, novel ideas to enrich our lives,” said Tara Szerencsi, vice president of finance and corporate services. “We already funded four projects resulting in long-term environmental improvements and new opportunities for people to enjoy our natural forest resources. It is a bonus for CNC that we are able to meet new community members and garner new research and educational collaborations with project proponents.”
Launched in 2019, the CNCRFS legacy fund is made available through the harvest and sale of timber affected by spruce beetles within the Research Forest north of Prince George. Since 2019, the fund has provided $190,000 to projects in northern British Columbia.
“Originally the funding was intended for environmental improvement works within the CNC Research Forest, but the Society recognized the unique opportunity of serving the broader CNC region,” explained Research Forest manager Carl Pollard. “We are seeing great results from all the funding recipients so far because each of those projects are led by local people who are passionate about improving the greater CNC communities.”
Last year, the CNCRFS awarded two legacy fund grants, each for the maximum amount of $50,000. The 2022 recipients were the Fraser Headwaters Alliance for their work upgrading the historic Goat River Trail and the Nazko First Nation’s Landscape Recovery program for their work reclaiming native plants and restoring habitats.
“Each year there is a surprising variety of proposals because the fund is available to proponents within a vast territory,” said Pollard. “We hope to see that again with this year’s applications so we can support another group that is ready and motivated, but just needs our funding to cross the finish line.”
The CNCRFS legacy fund is open to individuals, businesses, community groups, First Nations communities, government agency, as well as secondary and post-secondary schools within the communities CNC serves (Prince George, Bear Lake, McLeod Lake, Mackenzie, Quesnel, Fort St. James, Vanderhoof, and Burns Lake).
Visit the Research Forest Society Legacy Fund for more information on the program and full application details. The deadline for submissions is February 10, 2023.