The Habitat Acquisition Trust (HAT) is looking to raise $60,000 for restoration work across more than 30 ecologically and culturally important areas in the Capital Region.
Last year’s pilot of the Grow Hope, Restore Nature initiative resulted in more than 4,000 hours of on-the-ground restoration, with 803 volunteers engaged and 110,000 square meters of meadow habitat restored. This year, HAT seeks to expand efforts, scale its training, deepen relationships with Indigenous-led initiatives, and create more opportunities for the public to participate meaningfully.
“This restoration model has become a powerful tool for meaningful employment, skill building, and healing land in ways that honour the people and histories of these places,” noted Max Mitchell, HAT's habitat restoration supervisor, in a news release. “We’re proud to be building this network in collaboration with over 11 partners.”
Among the ecosystems they aim to support are the Garry Oak, or prairie-oak, ecosystems, known to the WSANEC and Lekwungen peoples as vital cultural and ecological landscapes, according to the release. Less than three per cent of intact prairie-oak ecosystems remain in Canada.
As of July 2, HAT has raised $14,736.96, or about 25 per cent of their overall goal of $60,000.
HAT is also accepting tax-deductible sponsorships from local businesses in amounts over $1,000. To learn more, get involved in restoration events, or contribute to the movement, visit hat.bc.ca/growhope or call 250-995-2428.
