A number of Saanich projects are among those that will benefit through funding from the Pacific Salmon Foundation.
The foundation announced funding of more than $55,000 for nine Pacific salmon projects in the Victoria area. The total value of the projects including volunteer time and community fundraising is more $370,000.
The local groups to receive funds include the Friends of Mount Douglas Park Society for the restoration of Douglas Creek, Campus View elementary school PAC for Stream of Dreams education, and the Peninsula Streams Association for work on Colquitz River salmon habitat restoration, Tod Creek coho assessment project, Swan Creek restoration and streamkeepers’ training.
“We are pleased to support all of the projects by these outstanding local salmon organizations,” said Brian Riddell, president and CEO of the Pacific Salmon Foundation. “Together, they represent a great mix of salmon education, habitat restoration and stewardship, all key components of our Community Salmon Program.”
The foundation’s Community Salmon Program supports community groups, volunteers and First Nations across the province. All give countless hours each year to monitor watersheds, develop and implement habitat rehabilitation projects, and educate communities about the conservation and protection of salmon. The program requires grantees to find local matching funds for projects. On average, grantees raise an additional $7 for every $1 they receive through cash and in-kind donations at the community level.
The majority of funds generated each year for the Community Salmon Program come through sales of the federal Salmon Conservation Stamp. The Salmon Conservation Stamp is a decal that must be purchased annually by anglers if they wish to keep Pacific salmon caught in saltwater off of Canada’s West Coast. Currently all proceeds from the $6 stamp are returned to British Columbia through the foundation, generating over $1 million for community grants annually.