At their June meeting, the Real Estate Foundation of BC’s Board of Governors approved $572,190 in grants. This funding supports research, education, and policy analysis on conservation, agriculture, land management, and other topics.

Including these recent grants, REFBC has awarded over $90 million to non-profit organizations in communities across British Columbia.

Summer 2020 grants are listed alphabetically below.

The BC Conservation Foundation will work with partners, including local governments and non-profits, to develop a new conservation strategy and resources to protect sensitive Coastal Douglas-Fir ecosystems. ($19,000)

The BC Lung Association will work with development, energy, and radon professionals to create educational resources on radon risk in BC homes, as well as draft a model radon strategy for BC to reduce radon in buildings. ($142,440)

Canada Wild Arts Society will use virtual reality and mini screenings to bring Uninterrupted, an immersive film about the journey of Pacific salmon, to audiences in communities across BC. ($20,000)

The David Suzuki Foundation will work with Indigenous knowledge holders to host an event and create accompanying videos on land tenure, access, resource rights, and Indigenous consent on public (crown) lands in BC. ($8,850)

FarmFolk CityFolk Society will engage with farmers and ranchers to amplify climate-friendly agricultural practices and map out opportunities for policies that improve soils, protect ecosystems, and reduce emissions. ($150,000)

Friends of Kootenay Lake Stewardship Society will train citizen scientists and establish a community-based water monitoring program for the west arm of Kootenay Lake. ($56,900)

Gathering Voices Society will support the Yunesit’in Government to develop, test, and share an Indigenous-led fire management plan (controlled burns, fire keeping) for their territory. ($60,000)

The IISAAK OLAM Foundation will partner with Vancouver Island University to develop a certificate program on Indigenous-Protected Conservation Areas for planners. ($100,000)

Wildsight will create Columbia River curriculum resources for educators, covering geography, Indigenous history and culture, water science, climate change, hydroelectricity, and the Columbia River Treaty. Materials will be based on content from the Columbia River Field School. ($15,000)

List of REFBC Grants