The Pacific Salmon Foundation has announced that six Delta projects received more than $25,000 in grants through the Community Salmon Program in 2019.
The total value of the projects, which includes community fundraising, contributions and volunteer time, is $241,725.
Grants provided by the Pacific Salmon Foundation for more than 200 projects across B.C. totaled almost $1.8 million in 2019. Along with community fundraising and volunteer time, the total value of the projects was $10.1 million.
The Community Salmon Program is funded primarily from sales of the federal government’s Salmon Conservation Stamp. The Salmon Conservation Stamp is a decal purchased annually by anglers if they wish to keep Pacific salmon caught in saltwater off of Canada’s West Coast. Proceeds from the $6 stamp are returned to British Columbia through PSF, generating nearly $1.5 million for community grants annually.
In 2019, the provincial government also contributed funds to the Pacific Salmon Foundation’s Community Salmon Program as part of a $5 Million grant to address the immediate needs of Pacific salmon and their habitats.
“PSF's Community Salmon Program grants have been absolutely key in putting rain gardens on the map here in North Delta. From our first rain garden in 2006 to our most recent in 2019, we've collaborated with PSF, City of Delta and others to create 29 school and community rain gardens, all planted by youth and adult volunteers,” said Deborah Jones, Rain Gardens coordinator, North Delta/Surrey Cougar Creek Streamkeepers.
“These gardens collectively receive over 20 million litres of stormwater runoff annually that used to flow untreated into salmon habitat. Also, the City of Delta has been inspired to create numerous infiltration projects of its own. This is great leveraging with multiple benefits: pollutant removal and groundwater recharge for the benefit of Cougar Creek and North Delta's other salmon streams, and also enhanced green spaces throughout the community.”
Community Salmon Program grants provided to Delta:
• Burns Bog Conservation Society, Community Stewardship Program
• Cougar Creek Streamkeepers, Lookout Preschool Rain Garden
• Ducks Unlimited Canada, Habitat Assessment
• Brooke Elementary School, Salmonids in the Classroom
• Heath Traditional Elementary School, Salmonids in the Classroom
• Richardson Elementary, Salmonids in the Classroom
“The Community Salmon Program is the heart of the Pacific Salmon Foundation’s work and the projects highlight and manifest PSF’s commitment to revitalize and protect Pacific salmon,” said Michael Meneer, Pacific Salmon Foundation president and CEO. “By working together with government, First Nations, businesses, community organizations and volunteers, we can find solutions together and the best way to ensure the future of Pacific salmon across the province.”
The program requires grantees to find local matching funds for projects. On average, grantees raise an additional seven dollars for every dollar they receive through cash and in-kind donations at the community level. In addition to funds generated from the Salmon Conservation Stamp, these grants are made possible by Pacific Salmon Foundation fundraising dinners, auctions and donations from individuals, foundations and businesses.
