With $25 million in new funding from the provincial government, the Forest Enhancement Society of BC (FESBC) is now accepting applications to finance projects that will assist the province of British Columbia in reducing wildfire risk and increasing community resiliency to wildfire across B.C.
Successful applicants will receive funding to undertake activities that fall under at least one of the three criteria:
- Wildfire Risk Reduction planning and treatment prescription development.
- Wildfire Risk Reduction treatments.
- Recovery and utilization of low-value residual fibre resulting from wildfire risk reduction treatments funded by FESBC.
“The FESBC is a proven partner in delivering projects on the ground that protect people from wildfire risks and reduce emissions from slash pile burning,” Minister of Forests Katrine Conroy said. “Along with the historic investments in Budget 2022 to transform the BC Wildfire Service into a year-round service and double funding for proactive wildfire prevention, this new funding for FESBC will help build communities that are safer and more resilient to climate change.”
FESBC executive director Steve Kozuki explained what this funding would mean for the work undertaken by FESBC to reduce wildfire risk throughout the province, and said that it was encouraging to see more people realizing the benefits of protecting communities from wildfire risk.
“The FESBC is thrilled with the funding announcement, and we are looking forward to seeing applications for projects focused on reducing wildfire risk throughout the province,” said Kozuki.
The FESBC has previously helped to reduce wildfire risk in 120 communities across the province. Many of these projects have also gone above and beyond the primary objective of reducing wildfire risk and have identified additional outcomes that have proven beneficial to communities.
Find details on the application process, eligibility criteria and a step-by-step guide on next steps here.
