Apply Now! Local Environmental Conservation & Restoration Project Funding
Valerie Huff Photo
CASTLEGAR, B.C. – The Waneta Expansion Limited Partnership (WELP), a partnership between Fortis Inc., Columbia Power Corporation and Columbia Basin Trust, is accepting applications for the 2017 Waneta Terrestrial Compensation Program (WTCP). This program will provide a total of up to $50,000 to projects in the Waneta area that promote conservation and restoration through research, physical works, and other on-the-ground or applied projects.
The deadline for submissions is January 31, 2017. Visit columbiapower.org/WTCP for an application form and more information.
Eligible projects include research, species inventories, educational programs, development of management plans, habitat creation (restoration, rehabilitation), weed control, habitat protection and land acquisition.
“This program supports a wide range of projects from biological inventories to species’ research projects and habitat restoration efforts,” said Wendy Horan, Manager of Environment for Columbia Power. “The program is designed to be accessible to anyone, professionals and non-professionals, who has a project in mind which benefits the natural environment.”
Last year’s successful terrestrial compensation projects include:
| Group | Project |
|---|---|
| Jacob Dulisse and Pandion Ecological | Reptile at risk project |
| Janice Arndt | Kootenay bank swallow survey |
| LV Rogers Secondary School | Bird and bat stewardship |
| Kootenay Native Plant Society | Milkweed and monarchs |
| Cori Lausen | Assessing the risk posed by white-nose syndrome in the Pend d’Oreille Valley |
| Beckwith Ecologies | Conservation strategy for red-listed clarkia rhomboidea |
| Durand Ecological | Species at risk inventory of terrestrial molluscs |
Earlier in 2016, Valerie Huff of the Kootenay Native Plant Society received funding from the WTCP to enhance and supplement milkweed populations in the Waneta area. “The Columbia River is a known flyway for monarch butterflies and milkweed plays a vital role as a food source and for egg-laying,” said Valerie Huff on behalf of the Kootenay Native Plant Society. “This funding allows us to showcase the importance of milkweed not only for monarch butterflies, but for other native pollinators and beneficial insects as well.”
The 335 MW Waneta Expansion Generating Station is now in commercial operation. Columbia Power managed construction of the Waneta Expansion on behalf of WELP. Project benefits included the injection of over $300 million into the local economy through the purchase of goods and services and wages. Employment reached over 1,400 people. For more information please visit columbiapower.org/wanetaexpansion.
For further information, please contact:
Michael Hounjet
WTCP Program Manager
Tel: 250.304.6026
Cell: 250.687.0910
Cell: Michael.Hounjet@columbiapower.org