The BC Conservation & Biodiversity Awards recipients were honoured for their work contributing to the improvement of the natural environment, and conservation of British Columbia’s wilderness and biodiversity.

The 2023 Award recipients and a summary of their conservation initiatives:

  • Wildsight to create a community-wide effort to compile monitoring data & understanding of the Kootenay Bighorn Sheep herd to help in government’s ongoing development of the Kootenay Bighorn Management Plan
  • Friends of Ecological Reserves Society to ensure biodiversity, habitat and Old Growth protection through scientific research and to hold government agencies accountable e.g. BC Timber Sales observing regional objectives such as protection of the main source of water for Gibsons/Sunshine Coast
  • BC Conservation Foundation to enhance habitat for grizzly recovery in southern BC’s Monashee Range and the Okanagan Highlands
  • BC Conservation Foundation Initiative to Protect BC’s 17 Bat Species, 9 of which are at risk, and specifically those species dependent on old-growth or mature trees
  • Habitat Acquisition Trust to engage key landowners, land managers, and Indigenous leaders to steward Gary Oak habitat (Victoria & Gulf Islands) utilizing HAT’s award-winning adaptive stewardship program
  • Be the Change Earth Alliance Society to empower 360 youth (ages 6-18) across BC to take action on freshwater pollution, habitat clean-up and climate change
  • Sea Smart School Society to engage Indigenous peoples, youth and the public to improve freshwater quality by reducing harmful substances in freshwater and to directly restore and protect freshwater ecosystem health
  • BC Small Wetlands Association to restore a 2-acre wetland in Spallumcheen while promoting sharing of traditional knowledge for indigenous and non-indigenous youth
  • BC Wildlife Federation to restore and enhance off channel Coho rearing habitat with groundwater input along the entire Bonaparte River
  • Okanagan Similkameen Stewardship Society to promote active biodiversity stewardship to enhance and restore important habitats within the communities of the Okanagan and Similkameen Valleys
  • BC Conservation Foundation East Coast Vancouver Island initiative to resolve urban roadway runoff mortality in salmon and trout which is primarily caused by tire wear toxin (TWT)
  • Salal Foundation to protect Old Growth trees and initiative for clean ocean waters in BC on the largest scale, by lobbying governments and the public

To learn more about the BC Conservation & Biodiversity Awards, or to apply for the 2024 Awards, click here.