A new conservation fund in the North Okanagan is open for applications until September 30, 2020. If you’re a local registered non-profit with a focus on the environment, this Fund is for you.
The North Okanagan Conservation Fund is a dedicated source of funding for the specific purpose of undertaking environmental conservation projects. This Fund will help communities ensure the sustainability of our environment and protect our quality of life now and for the future. The 2020/2021 Fund will provide over $80,000 to eligible conservation projects.
Natural lands in both rural and urban areas filter our water, supply open spaces for wildlife and people, and provide assets that improve the quality of life to communities.
Unfortunately, these natural systems are under stress. The current generation must act now to ensure a healthy physical environment for future generations. The purpose of the Fund is to provide local financial support for projects that will contribute to the conservation of our valuable natural areas and help restore and protect a healthy environment. The intent is to provide funding for conservation projects that are not the existing responsibility of the federal, provincial or local governments.
“We need to keep nature in our future since a healthy environment supports a healthy community, clean drinking water, and a healthy economy,” said Kevin Acton, Chair of the RDNO Board of Directors. “Conservation in one area benefits your neighbours in other communities, and throughout the Okanagan Valley, after all, we are One Region, with One Future.”
The participating areas include Electoral Areas “B”, “C”, “D”, “E”, “F”, the City of Armstrong, and the Village of Lumby. For a project to be eligible for funding, it must take place in one or more of these areas.
The Okanagan Collaborative Conservation Program (OCCP) has been engaged by the RDNO to assist proponents with the granting and reporting process for the Conservation Fund. OCCP will also coordinate a committee of technical experts that has clearly established criteria to ensure proposed projects are technically sound, and contribute to important conservation goals.
A list of sample projects, the terms of reference and an application form are available at www.rdno.ca/conserve