The Foundation is a type of registered charity known as a “public foundation”. Formed in 1990 by members of the Federation of BC Naturalists, its purpose was to build a strong capital base, the future income from which would provide a steady source of funds for conservation and nature education. The primary purpose set out in the Constitution is “to promote the preservation of the natural environment for future generations through conservation, education and research projects.”
What does the Foundation actually
do?
The Foundation is required by law to
disburse a prescribed portion of its income to other registered
charities to achieve its purpose. It does not undertake programs
of its own. Instead it concentrates its efforts on building a strong
and flexible financial base for the future initiatives of BC’s
naturalists and it presently makes annual grants to BC Nature for
the conservation and education projects of naturalist clubs.
How is the Foundation managed?
According to the Foundation’s
bylaws BC Nature appoints members to the Foundation for three year
terms and nominates them to be its directors. The Board meets twice
a year and also holds conference calls when required. The Board
is principally concerned with soliciting gifts, managing the mutual
fund portfolio and meeting the requirements of the Canada Revenue
Agency.
What does the Foundation do
for naturalists?
Prior to 2003 the Foundation provided
grants to the FBCN to assist it with various operating expenses.
Since 2003 the Foundation’s policy has been to make an annual
grant to the FBCN, now BC Nature, for the conservation and nature
education projects of its member naturalist clubs.
What kinds of projects are
funded by grants from the Foundation?
Recent grants approved by BC Nature
with Foundation funds include outfitting a classroom laboratory
at the Iris Griffith Interpretive Centre in Pender Harbour, the
regular banding program of the Mackenzie Nature Observatory, the
Connecting Children with Nature program of the Victoria Natural
History Society, a habitat restoration program by the Comox Valley
Naturalists Society and a nature science program for children organized
by the Williams Lake Field Naturalists. Read
(272KB) a list of projects funded since the Foundation began providing
grants in 1991.
Where can I find out more about
the Foundation and its work?
Review the 2009
Report (1MB) to members of BC Nature. The Foundation has also
published two useful brochures:
§ Naturalists,
Their Legacies and Conservation gives helpful suggestions for
persons planning to make a will or bequest
§ Planned
Giving for Naturalists outlines various ways in which a person
can plan to make a gift, bequest or donation to the Foundation either
immediately or in the future.
Copies of these brochures are also
available from the BC Nature office.
|
How can I contribute to
the Foundation? Donations can be directed to the Foundation through the CanadaHelps website at www.CanadaHelps.org The BC Naturalists' Foundation is registered with CandaHelps and donors using this method will receive their tax receipt directly from CanadaHelps. For more information about these and other ways to make a gift to the Foundation you are invited to contact a Foundation director or call the BC Nature office at 604-985-3057. |
The Board of Directors elected at the Foundation AGM on May 15, 2009 is as follows:
| President: Vice-President: Treasurer: Secretary: Directors-at-Large: |
Bob Dyer David Hutchings Elisa Kreller Bev Ramey Frances Vyse, Vivian Birch-Jones and Dick Stace-Smith |
You can contact the Foundation through
the BC Nature office,
By e-mail: manager@bcnature.ca,
by phone: 604-985-3057
or by mail: 1620 Mount Seymour
Road, North Vancouver, BC V7G 2R9
Show you really care about nature by supporting the BC NATURE, its clubs, and naturalists across BC. Give a charitable donation to the BC Naturalists' Foundation. Your legacy gift doesn't have to be large to be appreciated by the BC Naturalists' Foundation - every act of giving counts!