Action Grants for Wildlife Conservation (Canada)

The Action Grants program supports projects in British Columbia that create measurable changes in human behaviours and practices to conserve fish, wildlife, and habitats. Grants of up to $50,000 are available for projects lasting up to two years, with funding disbursed in two phases. Projects should engage communities, industries, or visitors to adopt sustainable and responsible practices, resulting in lasting conservation outcomes.

Overview of the Program

The Action Grants program is designed to encourage behavioural change and practical solutions that mitigate human-caused impacts on B.C.’s fish, wildlife, and habitats.

Key objectives include:

• Influencing behaviours of a defined target audience to support conservation

• Promoting sustainable practices across communities, industries, and visitor populations

• Ensuring measurable and lasting impacts on wildlife and habitat protection

Focus Areas

The program prioritizes projects that directly engage a target audience to create positive conservation outcomes, including:

1. Community Engagement

• Work with individuals or neighbourhoods near wildlife habitats

• Promote behaviours that protect species such as:

  • Northern red-legged frog

  • Grizzly bear

  • Big horned sheep

  • Western screech-owl

• Reduce negative human impacts through education and stewardship

2. Industry Collaboration

• Engage forestry, agriculture, or commercial sectors

• Encourage adoption of sustainable practices

• Mitigate environmental impacts affecting fish, wildlife, and habitats

3. Visitor Education

• Work with park and recreational visitors

• Promote responsible practices including:

  • Waste management

  • Safe trail use

  • Wildlife-safe behaviours

• Reduce human pressures on sensitive species and ecosystems

Funding Details

• Maximum grant per project: $50,000

• Project duration: Up to two years

• Funding disbursement:

  • 80% at project start

  • 20% upon completion and approval of the final report

• Projects must demonstrate measurable outcomes in behaviour change or practical conservation improvements

Who Is Eligible?

Eligible applicants include:

• Non-profit organizations and registered charities

• Community groups and associations

• Educational institutions

• Partnerships with clear target audiences

Applicants must:

• Design projects that directly engage the target audience

• Ensure intended changes are measurable, sustainable, and conservation-focused

How to Apply

Step 1: Identify a Target Audience

• Define a clear group whose behaviours or practices you aim to change

• Assess current behaviours and identify opportunities for improvement

Step 2: Develop a Project Plan

• Outline objectives, activities, and measurable outcomes

• Specify engagement strategies for communities, industries, or visitors

• Include timelines and responsibilities

Step 3: Prepare a Budget

• Request funding up to $50,000

• Indicate how funds will support behaviour change initiatives

• Include any in-kind contributions or matching resources

Step 4: Submit Application

• Provide project description, objectives, and measurable outcomes

• Include target audience engagement plan and project timeline

• Submit according to program guidelines

Expected Outcomes

Projects funded under Action Grants should:

• Create measurable behaviour changes benefiting wildlife and habitats

• Reduce human-caused pressures on ecosystems

• Promote stewardship, awareness, and responsible practices

• Engage target audiences effectively through education and collaboration

• Provide models for replication or scaling across communities

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Vague or undefined target audience

• Lack of measurable outcomes for behaviour change

• Insufficient engagement strategy with communities, industries, or visitors

• Ignoring sustainability beyond project completion

• Incomplete budget or missing justification for funding

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the maximum grant amount?

Up to $50,000 per project.

2. What is the project duration?

Projects must be completed within two years of approval.

3. How is funding disbursed?

• 80% at the start of the project

• 20% upon successful completion and approval of the final report

4. Who can apply?

Eligible applicants include non-profits, community groups, educational institutions, and partnerships with clearly defined target audiences.

5. What types of projects are supported?

Projects that influence behaviours and practices impacting fish, wildlife, and habitats, including community education, industry collaboration, and visitor engagement.

6. What is required to demonstrate success?

Projects must show measurable changes in behaviours or practices that result in conservation benefits.

7. Can projects involve multiple target audiences?

Yes, but the project must clearly define how each audience will be engaged and what behavioural changes are expected.

Conclusion

The Action Grants program empowers communities, industries, and visitors to adopt sustainable practices that reduce human impacts on B.C.’s fish, wildlife, and habitats. By funding projects that create measurable and lasting behavioural change, the program fosters stewardship, promotes conservation-minded actions, and ensures that human activities support the long-term health of local ecosystems.