The Clayoquot Biosphere Trust (CBT) is open for its 2020 grant cycle.
Until March 5, they will be accepting applications for Arts & Culture, Community Development, Youth & Education, and Research & Environment. Projects in these streams will be funded up to a maximum of $5,000. Vital Grants, a stream for larger projects up to $20,000, is open as well.
The Biosphere Research Award with one grant of $20,000 is also up for grabs. Last year, the Raincoast Education Society in partnership with Parks Canada Pacific Rim National Park Reserve and Environment and Climate Change Canada received the coveted CBT Biosphere Research Award for their project titled Residency and Habitat Use of Migrating Shorebirds in Tofino, B.C.
“This year marks the 18th year of CBT granting with more than $140,000 available to support local projects,” said executive director Rebecca Hurwitz.
Tofino resident and University of Victoria scholar Nora Morrison received a 2018 Research & Environment grant to spread awareness of the decline in Clayoquot Sound Chinook salmon and the contributing stressors.
“The application process was great. It was my first time applying for a grant and CBT was helpful making it accessible to me,” Morrison said.
With the CBT grant money, Morrison was able to produce, in partnership with the Thornton Creek Enhancement Society, a valuable communication tool to help local organizations engage with a general audience by illustrating the stressors facing Clayoquot Chinook in the region.
“Nora convened a team and created a map of Clayoquot Sound to outline the stressors salmon face along their migration route. This provided valuable statistics and explanations of salmon stressors, such as habitat degradation, fisheries, water quality, and climate change, as well as natural predators. The enhancement and restoration efforts to combat these stressors, as well as a call to action, are also included. Viewers can visualize the multitude of impacts on the salmon’s population health, which aims to inspire change in their own lives,” reads a statement from the CBT.
Paper copies of the Clayoquot Sound Chinook Salmon poster are available for free or donation at the CBT office. Larger 20-inch by 30-inch plaque editions are also available for a $300 donation to the Clayoquot Wild Salmon Fund.
Do you have a creative idea to help the region flourish? Reach out to CBT at grants@clayoquotbiosphere.org, call the office at 250-720-6381, or drop by in person at 316 Main Street in Tofino.
The CBT will also be hosting grant information sessions in each community over the coming weeks. People can learn about funding priorities, eligibility, and how to apply at: https://clayoquotbiosphere.org/grants/overview or visit the CBT Facebook page for updates.
nora.omalley@westerlynews.ca
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