Williams Lake Community Forest Now Accepting 2026 Grant Applications

Joint Release from the City of Williams Lake and Williams Lake First Nation:

The Williams Lake Community Forests' (WLCF) 2025 Granting Application six-week window is currently open and accepting applications for 2026 projects until 4 pm on Thursday, November 20, 2025.

Grant applicants must be living and/or working in the WLCF “local area” which is defined as the City of Williams Lake, and CRD Electoral Areas D, E, and F. This area extends west to the east side of the Fraser River, North to Marguerite and south to Dog Creek.  Along Highway 97 the eligible area extends south to include 141 Mile, then east to Bosk and Crooked Lakes and north encompassing Quesnel Lake and Mitchell Lake. A map is provided on the WLCF website: https://williamslakecommunityforest.com/about/location/ 

Applications can come from registered charities, non-profit and/or community organizations such as Parent Advisory Councils, clubs including 4H clubs, and community associations. Public, Private and Indigenous schools and educators are also invited to apply if they are within the “local area” described above.  

Funds are targeted towards:

• outdoor opportunities relating to sustainable forestry;
• education and outreach projects for any/all age groups; 
• environmental stewardship;
• other projects particularly related to forest resource values; or 
• capital improvements to facilities available for public use, including recreation and recreational structures such as trails, signs and kiosks.

There is a pre-established set of evaluation criteria provided with the application form, along with a budget template. 

Five per cent of annual WLCF profits are set aside to be distributed to the community through this granting program. The WLCF has increased its allocation over the years and expects to award $80,000 for successful 2026 projects. Previous WLCF grant distributions were $23,500 in 2019, $45,000 annually from 2020 – 2022, $65,000 in 2023, $75,000 in 2024, and $80,000 in 2025. Students pursuing post-secondary studies can also apply for Youth Awards starting in January 2026 on the same Community Granting page of the website.   

Paper application forms are available at the Williams Lake Community Forest Office at 177 Yorston Street, or locate digital forms online at https://williamslakecommunityforest.com/community-granting/. 

Williams Lake Community Forest Now Accepting Grant Applications

Courtesy of the City of Williams Lake:

The Williams Lake Community Forest’s 2024 Granting Application six-week window is currently open and accepting applications for 2025 projects until 4 pm on Friday, November 22, 2024.

Grant applicants must be living and/or working in the WLCF “local area” which is defined as the City of Williams Lake, and CRD Electoral Areas D, E, and F. This area extends west to the east side of the Fraser River, North to Marguerite and south to Dog Creek.  Along Highway 97 the eligible area extends south to include 141 Mile, then east to Bosk and Crooked Lakes and north  encompassing Quesnel Lake and Mitchell Lake.  A map is provided on the WLCF website under the “About/Location” section.  

Applications can come from registered charities, non-profit and/or community organizations such as Parent Advisory Councils, clubs including 4H clubs, and community associations.  Public, Private and Indigenous schools and educators are also invited to apply if they are within the “local area” described above. 

Funds are targeted toward:

• recreation and recreational structures including trails, signs and kiosks; 
• community-based culture and arts projects as they relate to nature; 
• capital improvements to facilities available for public use;
• Outdoor opportunities relating to sustainable forestry
• education and outreach projects for all age groups; 
• environmental stewardship; and
• other projects particularly related to forest resource values.

There is a pre-established set of evaluation criteria provided with the application form, along with a budget template. Five per cent of annual WLCF profits are set aside to be distributed to the community through this granting program.  

The Williams Lake Community Forest has increased its allocation for 2025 and expects to award a record $80,000 for 2025 projects. Previous WLCF grant distributions were $23,500 in 2019, $45,000 annually from 2020 – 2022, $65,000 in 2023, and $75,000 in 2024.     

Paper application forms are available at the Williams Lake Community Forest Office at 177 Yorston Street, or locate digital forms online at https://williamslakecommunityforest.com/community-granting/. 

Prescribed Burn planned for Williams Lake Community Forest

Courtesy of the BC Wildfire Service:

The BC Wildfire Service will be working in partnership with Williams Lake Community Forest and Williams Lake First Nation to conduct a prescribed burn approximately 10 kilometres west of Williams Lake beside the Fraser River. The prescribed burn will cover approximately 40 hectares within the Williams Lake Community Forest.

Burning is expected to begin March 30, 2024, and continue periodically until April 4, 2024. Ignitions will proceed if conditions are suitable and allow for quick smoke dissipation. Smoke will be visible from Williams Lake and surrounding areas and to motorists travelling on Highway 20.

 This burn is the continuation of a spacing treatment that was previously completed to reduce stand density and create a more open and fire-resilient forest. A low- to moderate-intensity surface fire will be lit within pre-established boundaries to remove combustible materials and mimic a naturally occurring ground fire. The objective of the prescribed burn is to consume ground fuel and promote the growth of local plant species while reducing wildfire risk.

The BC Wildfire Service will be working on-site to prepare, control and monitor the fire. This project is a continuation of a relationship with Williams Lake First Nation to increase capacity and knowledge in cultural and prescribed burning

Learn More

A factsheet about prescribed burns and ecosystem restoration burns is available online: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/safety/wildfire-status/prevention/vegetation-and-fuel-management/prescribed-burning

To report a wildfire, unattended campfire or open burning violation, call 1 800 663-5555 toll-free or *5555 on a cell phone.

You can follow the latest wildfire news:

 • on the free BC Wildfire Service public mobile app, available for Apple (iOS) and Android devices

• on Twitter at: http://twitter.com/BCGovFireInfo

• on Facebook at: http://facebook.com/BCForestFireInfo

For more information, please contact:

 

BC Wildfire Service

Fire Information Officer

Cariboo Fire Centre

778 799-2100

Williams Lake Community Forest Now Accepting Grant Applications

Courtesy of the City of Williams Lake:

The Williams Lake Community Forest’s 2023 Granting Application six-week window is currently open and accepting applications for 2024 projects until 4 pm on Friday, November 17, 2023.

Grant applicants must be living and/or working in the WLCF “local area” which is defined as the City of Williams Lake, and CRD Electoral Areas D, E, and F. This area extends North to Marguerite, south to Dog Creek and follows the east side of the Fraser River. Along Highway 97 the eligible area extends south to include 141 Mile, and northeast encompassing Bosk Lake, Crooked Lake, Quesnel Lake and Mitchell Lake.  A map is provided on the WLCF website under the “About/Location” section.  

Applications can come from registered charities, non-profit and/or community organizations such as Parent Advisory Councils, clubs including 4H clubs, and community associations.  Public, Private and Indigenous schools and educators are also invited to apply if they are within the “local area” described above. 

Funds are targeted toward:

projects enhancing economic development; 

recreation and recreational structures including trails, signs and kiosks; 

culture and the arts projects as they relate to forests and forest values; 

capital improvements;

education and outreach projects for all age groups; and 

other projects particularly related to forest resource values.

There is a pre-established set of evaluation criteria provided with the application form, along with a budget template. Five per cent of annual WLCF profits are set aside to be distributed to the community through this granting program.  

The Williams Lake Community Forest has increased its allocation for 2024 by $10,000 thanks to receiving the Robin Hood Memorial Award 2023 for Excellence in Community Forestry, and expects to award $75,000 for 2024 projects.  Previous WLCF grant distributions were $23,500 in 2019, $45,000 annually from 2020 – 2022, and $65,000 in 2023.     

Paper application forms are available at the Williams Lake Community Forest Office at 177 Yorston Street, or locate digital forms online at https://williamslakecommunityforest.com/community-granting/. 

Williams Lake Community Forest Now Accepting Grant Applications

Courtesy of the City of Williams Lake:

The Williams Lake Community Forest’s 2021 Granting Application window is currently open and accepting applications until 4 pm December 3, 2021.

 

Proponents applying for grants must be living and/or working in the WLCF “local area” which is defined as the City of Williams Lake, and CRD Electoral Areas D, E, and F. This area extends North to Marguerite, south to Dog Creek and follows the east side of the Fraser River. Along Highway 97 the eligible area extends south to include 141 Mile, and northeast encompassing Bosk Lake, Crooked Lake, Quesnel Lake and Mitchell Lake. A map is provided on the WLCF website.

 

Applications can come from registered charities, non-profit and/or community organizations such as Parent Advisory Councils, clubs including 4H clubs, and community associations.  Funds are targeted towards creation/enhancement/expansion of recreation structures including trails, signs, and kiosks; capital improvements to facilities available for public use; environmental enhancement; economic development initiatives within or for the local communities; culture and the arts projects as related to the forests and forest values; outdoor opportunities relating to sustainable forestry for a quantifiable group; and education/outreach projects for a quantifiable group.  

 

There is a pre-established set of evaluation criteria provided with the application form, along with a budget template.

 

The Williams Lake Community Forest disbursed $45,000 through 11 grants last year, as well as eight $625 bursaries. Bursaries will be distributed again this year – students should review the WLCF webpage for application details. 

 

Paper application forms are available at the Williams Lake Community Forest Office at 177 Yorston Street, or can be found online at https://williamslakecommunityforest.com/community-granting/