Victoria Foundation grants $550,000 to local organizations for nature-based climate solutions
The Victoria Foundation announced today that it will distribute $550,000 to 14 organizations in the capital region that are addressing climate change through nature-based solutions, including 12 local environmental organizations and two local Nations. The funding will support initiatives that protect, restore, and manage terrestrial, freshwater, and/or marine ecosystems in the region.
Earlier this year the Foundation released a call for funding that was open to registered charities, local Nations, and other qualified organizations working within the capital region. The funding was made available because of a generous estate gift, with direction that it be used to support environmental causes. Eligible organizations and local Nations were invited to apply for up to $50,000 each, with priority given to Indigenous-led, equity-deserving, community-led, or grassroots nature-based activities.?
“The generosity of a donor has allowed us to provide funding to organizations with a goal to address the climate crisis through nature-based solutions. The grants will support work such as ecological restoration, land conservation, biodiversity, and species at risk, to name a few,” said Sandra Richardson, Victoria Foundation CEO.
“With the growing impacts of climate change, we must protect this natural environment for ourselves and future generations, and we are grateful for the support of donors to help with this important work,” she said.
The Foundation worked with subject matter experts from the environmental sector to advise on priority areas for funding. A full list of grant recipients is available below and on the Nature-based Climate Action Funding webpage.
One of the 14 organizations to receive a grant is the Gorge Waterway Action Society for their Gorge Creek Salt Marsh Restoration Project.
“This funding will support the restoration of the salt marsh ecosystem in Esquimalt Gorge Park. Through removal of invasive species, planting of native riparian species, and creation of interpretive signage, a functional habitat and place of learning will be created,” said Brad Procter, Gorge Waterway Action Society Executive Director.
“The restoration will benefit the community through flood mitigation, lessening erosion, water filtration and increased biodiversity by attracting native pollinators, fish, birds, and other wildlife. We are grateful to the Victoria Foundation for its support,” he said.
The WSÁNEĆ Leadership Council and the Raincoast Conservation Foundation also received a grant to support the ȻENEṈITEL (kwuh-nung-ee-tuhl) Project, which aims to apply nature-based climate actions through reconciliation-driven collaboration between the WSÁNEĆ community and non-Indigenous conservation groups across WSÁNEĆ Territories.
“The WSÁNEĆ Leadership Council is pleased to receive this funding. Working in partnership with Raincoast Conservation Foundation, we will use the funds to advance our ȻENEṈITEL Nature Based Climate Solutions project,” said Chief Don Tom, Chair of the WSÁNEĆ Leadership Council.
“A primary goal of this project is to establish economic sovereignty through Indigenous-led and restorative land-based work. We will improve biodiversity and ecological resilience while establishing sustainable funding pathways. This work will be accomplished collaboratively within a community of conservation organizations working throughout WSÁNEĆ Territories,” he said.
For more information, visit the Nature-based Climate Action Funding webpage.
Grant Recipients
| Organization Name | Description of Initiative/Project |
| WSÁNEĆ Leadership Council (Raincoast Conservation Foundation as charity partner) | The ȻENEṈITEL Project aims to apply nature-based climate actions through reconciliation-driven collaboration between the WSÁNEĆ community and non-Indigenous conservation groups across WSÁNEĆ Territories. |
| Georgia Strait Alliance | Centering communities in biodiversity protection and climate mitigation planning for marine protected areas. |
| Gorge Waterway Action Society | Gorge Creek Salt Marsh Restoration Project |
| Stqeeye’ Learning Society | Xwaaqw’um Carbon Sequestration Project is an Indigenous led restoration project that addresses the threat of forest, stream and estuary degradation, protects culturally important areas and supports ecosystem and community resilience to climate change. |
| Pepaken Hautw Foundation | PEPAKEN TE TENEW: New Growth for Restoration in the WSÁNEĆ Homelands |
| Galiano Conservancy Association | Demonstrating Climate-Resilient Forest Restoration at Quadra Hill on Galiano Island. |
| Mayne Island Conservancy Society | Mayne Island Land Stewardship for Nature-Based Solutions. |
| Metchosin Foundation | Metchosin Conservation Corridor for Biodiversity and Climate Resiliency. |
| Sc’ianew (Beecher Bay) Nation | Sc’ianew Community Capacity Development for Nature-Based Climate Resiliency |
| Raincoast Conservation Foundation | Protecting forests for the future through the development of new conservation covenant standards. |
| Habitat Acquisition Trust | Enhancing HAT: Increasing Capacity to Cultivate Stewardship in the Capital Region |
| Rocky Point Bird Observatory Society | Migration Monitoring and Research programs of Rocky Point Bird Observatory. |
| Tsawout Nation | Native Tree Restoration Project: planning and clean-up of the Tsawout and Tseycum Saturna Island Reserve lands. |
| Garry Oak Meadow Preservation Society | GOMPS Volunteer Nursery: key infrastructure and maintenance investments for sustainability. |
About the Victoria Foundation
Established in 1936, the Victoria Foundation is Canada’s second oldest community foundation and the sixth largest of over 200 nation-wide. The Victoria Foundation manages charitable gifts from donors whose generosity allows them to create permanent, income-earning funds. The proceeds from these funds are then distributed as grants for charitable or educational purposes. To date, the Victoria Foundation has invested over $313 million in people, projects and non-profit organizations that strengthen communities in BC and throughout Canada.
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