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Caribou habitat restoration receives shot in the arm from BC Government

The Habitat Conservation Trust Fund in BC is receiving two-million dollars from the province.

In the early 1900s there were about 40,000 caribou in BC, while today there are about 19,000 remaining.

It’s about building the numbers back up according to Minister of Forests Doug Donaldson.

“There are over 50 specific breeds in BC with some not doing very well while others are doing a little bit better we want to make sure we have some means to do that restoration because the main factor is ensuring that we sustain populations and also growing them.”

“Some of the restoration involves tree planting, fertilization of the ground and vegetative areas and that kind of work, so it’s good work outdoors on the land base and we’ll see that rolling out in areas of the northeast especially where we are focusing on the herds this year.”

The habitat restoration will be focused in the Peace Area, Boreal Hurd and South Central Hurd areas this year.

Places like roads, trails and right-of-ways have changed the landscape on where caribou live making them vulnerable to wolves, cougars and bears.

For those who like to hunt, Donaldson encourages those to exercise caution in the back country following last year’s record-breaking wildfire season.

“We want them to be vigilant when using the back country as spring turns into summer and conditions dry up and to make sure your they’re thought process is not conducive to spreading or starting wildfires.”

Since 1981, the Habitat Conservation Trust Fund has invested over $170 million dollars to support 2,500 conservation projects in BC.

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Send us a news tip by emailing [email protected].

Brendan Pawliw
Brendan Pawliw
Since moving to Prince George in 2015, Brendan has covered local sports including the WHL’s Prince George Cougars, Prince George Spruce Kings, UNBC Timberwolves, Cariboo Cougars AAA, and Northern Capitals U18 female hockey teams. Career highlights include play-by-play during the Spruce Kings' BCHL championship runs in 2018 and 2019, including the Doyle Cup win. He also covered the 2019 National Junior A Championship, the 2017 Telus Cup, the 2022 World Women’s Curling Championship, and the 2022 BC Summer Games. Brendan is the news voice on 94.3 The Goat and Country 97 FM, reporting on crime, real estate, labour, and environmental issues. Outside of work, he officiates box lacrosse and fastball, sits on the Prince George Sports Hall of Fame board, and co-hosts the Hockey North podcast.

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