New Grants Support Indigenous Protected Areas and Climate Solutions

At their September 2022 meeting, the Real Estate Foundation of BC’s Board of Governors approved 18 grants totalling $1,282,000.

This funding supports applied research, public education, and policy and law reform to advance sustainable, equitable, and socially just land use and real estate with a view to upholding Indigenous rights and title and racial equity and justice.

Including these latest grants, REFBC has awarded more than $100 million to non-profit organizations working to strengthen BC communities and protect our shared land and water.

The Fall 2022 grants are listed alphabetically by recipient organization below.

Affine Climate Solutions Society will work with Brightside Community Homes Foundation to develop a decarbonization plan for its social housing buildings and with the Squamish Nation (Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw) to study a deep retrofit of the Chief Joe Mathias Centre. ($99,000)

Alkw Media Society (Nuxalk Radio) will hire a community coordinator to lead engagement around the restoration of the iconic House of Numst’ building in Bella Coola. ($30,000)

The BC First Nations Energy and Mining Council will undertake a comprehensive analysis of the Mineral Tenure Act and how it conflicts with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, and identify legislative options for advancing Indigenous self-determination. ($100,000)

The Centre for Ecocities at the BC Institute of Technology will work with local governments to measure their ecological and carbon footprints, as well as review and revise the ecoCity Footprint Tool with climate equity in mind. ($109,000)

The Canadian Centre for Journalism, in partnership with Canada’s National Observer, will produce in-depth stories about the impacts of climate change on coastal communities in BC. ($50,000)

Ecotrust Canada will work with the Heiltsuk, Hupačasath, and ʼNamgis First Nations and the Regional District of Mount Waddington to improve household energy security through policy changes, capacity development, and bulk retrofits. ($150,000)

The Fraser Basin Council, in partnership with First Nations and other parties, will create a lake monitoring strategy to advance implementation of the Nechako Watershed Roundtable’s 2022-2026 strategic plan. ($30,000)

Kanaka Bar Band (T’eqt’aqtn’mux) will undertake legal research to lay the groundwork for the establishment of the T’eqt’aqtn Indigenous protected and conserved area and Guardians program in the Fraser Canyon. ($28,000)

The Kwantlen Polytechnic University Foundation will support work by Seabird Island Band, in collaboration with KPU’s Institute for Sustainable Food Systems, to assess the health of leased lands as a step toward implementing regenerative agriculture practices. ($22,000)

The Municipal Natural Assets Initiative will engage First Nations and local governments in BC to develop an understanding of how First Nations knowledge, worldviews, and perspectives could be woven into municipal natural asset management. ($54,000)

Nature United will provide financial and technical support to First Nations advancing governance over land use and exploring new approaches to old-growth forest conservation and carbon management. ($150,000)

Neighbours United will conduct deep community engagement in six regions of BC to raise public understanding about land use and forestry policy solutions that support ecological values and watershed security. ($120,000)

Nexwagwezʔan-Dasiqox Tribal Park Initiative, hosted by MakeWay Charitable Society, will develop a governance model for the Indigenous protected and conserved area that expresses Tŝilhqot’in law, and coordinate with other Tŝilhqot’in stewardship initiatives to integrate their work. ($100,000)

Peninsula Streams Society, in partnership with Tseycum First Nation and SeaChange Marine Conservation Society, will undertake a Two-Eyed Seeing study of cultural and ecological resources in Tsehum Harbour and Roberts Bay to inform habitat management and protection. ($50,000)

The BC Sustainable Energy Association, in partnership with the Burnaby, Richmond, Surrey, and Vancouver school districts, will develop design guidelines for new and existing school buildings with an eye to achieving post-occupancy targets for energy consumption, user comfort, and maintenance costs. ($20,000)

The Sunshine Coast Conservation Association will undertake research, develop recommendations, and build capacity and support for a West Howe Sound Watershed protection plan, and seek a land reserve in the meantime. ($50,000)

Vancouver Urban Food Forest Foundation will create a forest garden in Burrard View Park that will honour Indigenous plant knowledge, host land-based programs, and bring people together. ($30,000)

Yellowstone to Yukon Conservation Initiative Foundation will support work by the Kaska Dena Council, Saulteau First Nations, Tsay Keh Dene Nation, and West Moberly First Nations to advance Indigenous protected and conserved areas in northern BC. ($100,000)

Looking for project funding?

Our upcoming Real Estate Industry Grant application cycle opens in November and closes on December 8, 2022. This intake will be open to regional real estate boards, the BC Real Estate Association, and the Real Estate Institute of BC.

Our next General Grant application cycle opens in January and closes on February 16, 2023.

For information on eligibility and funding priorities, visit refbc.com/grants or email grants@refbc.com to discuss your project idea.

What We’ve Funded