Explore our Peace Region 2025–2026 projects

Our annual grant intake is now open. Apply for a fish or wildlife grant that aligns with a priority 1 action in our ecosystem-based action plans.

Begin your annual grant application with a mandatory notice of intent due Tuesday, September 9, 2025 at 4 p.m. PT / 5 p.m. MT. This short project description is your first step and it’s part of how we are strengthening engagement of First Nations in the projects we fund.

Start your annual grant application.

Final grant applications are due by Monday, November 3, 2025 at 4 p.m. PT / 5 p.m. MT. Learn more.

Peace projects compensate for W.A.C. Bennett and Peace Canyon dams
The FWCP works to fulfill BC Hydro’s applicable water licence obligations to address fish and wildlife impacts resulting from the construction of W.A.C. Bennett and Peace Canyon dams.

The FWCP does not compensate for Site C impacts to fish and wildlife. Site C’s water licence obligations require BC Hydro to establish environmental monitoring, mitigation, and compensations programs. Under the water licence, BC Hydro will report to the water comptroller on these programs in ~2030.
 

Our Peace Region board approved approximately $2.1 million for 25 projects in 2025-2026. The projects—eight fish and 17 wildlife—will be delivered by First Nations, communities, and businesses, as well as agencies, stewardship groups, and consultants.

The projects align with our priorities for riparian areas, wetlands, uplands, rivers, lakes, and reservoirs. The projects are diverse and support a wide range of fish species including bull trout, Arctic grayling, and kokanee, and wildlife such as wolverine, bats, caribou, Stone’s sheep, elk, and moose.

The 2025-2026 projects will, among other things, improve fish passage by removing hanging culverts, study changes in elk movements, and recover Endangered caribou herds with maternity penning and habitat restoration. Several projects respond to First Nations’ priorities related to moose and food sustainability, culturally important plants, and bull trout populations.

Read our Peace Region 2025–2026 project list, look at our project map, and scroll up to explore our interactive map.

Learn how the projects we funded last year in our Peace Region helped to conserve and enhance fish and wildlife in watersheds impacted by BC Hydro dams. Our annual reports provide an overview of our work for the year, and our project outcomes share results from the projects funded by our Peace Region board.

We have identified conservation priorities for fish and wildlife in each of our three regions: Coastal, Columbia and Peace. These priorities and recommended actions are reflected in a series of watershed and ecosystem-based action plans that vary by region.

These plans recommend specific projects and priorities, and guide our grant decisions. In our Peace Region, we fund projects that align with our four Peace Region ecosystem-based action plans. Be sure to read our Overview of Peace Region Action Plans.

A local Board made up of BC Hydro, the Province of B.C., Fisheries and Oceans Canada, First Nations and public stakeholders, guides the work of the FWCP and is responsible for approving all FWCP projects in our Peace Region.

Most fish and wildlife projects in FWCP’s Peace Region are funded through FWCP grants, but our Board may choose to direct projects and approve funding to address regional priorities. Read our annual report. See our Peace Region map.

A unique First Nations’ Working Group (FNWG) is actively involved in FWCP’s Peace Region. The FNWG is responsible for ensuring First Nations considerations and input are included in FWCP planning and projects.

The FWCP’s Peace Region compensates for fish and wildlife impacts resulting from construction of the W.A.C. Bennett and Peace Canyon dams. Site C will be a third dam and generating station on the Peace River in northeast B.C. The project will provide 1,100 megawatts of capacity and about 5,100 gigawatt hours of energy each year to the province’s integrated electricity system. Site C is expected to be in service by 2025, with reservoir filling planned to occur in the fall of 2023. Site C and FWCP have an interest in sharing information regarding active programs in order to identify overlaps or synergies. Current federal and provincial authorizations and conditional water licence obligations require BC Hydro to establish environmental monitoring, mitigation, and compensation programs to address pre- and post-construction impacts specified within the water licence project conditions. Under the water licence, after five years of dam operation (~2030), BC Hydro is to provide the Water Comptroller with an assessment of the adequacy of the mitigation and monitoring programs for those conditions within the water licence and submit a report. The Water Comptroller will review the submission and may direct additional programs if mitigation and monitoring is determined to be inadequate to satisfy the intent of the condition. Learn more about Site C’s environmental programs. 

Stay up to date with the latest news from our Peace Region with our regional e-letter.

Our First Nations Working Group (FNWG) was established in 2012 through a Memorandum of Understanding signed by Doig River, Kwadacha, McLeod Lake, Nak’azdli, Prophet River, Saulteau, the Treaty 8 Tribal Association, Tsay Keh Dene, and West Moberly First Nations.

The FNWG ensures First Nations’ considerations and input are included in all aspects of our strategic planning, annual operating plans, project review, approval and initiation, and capacity-building.

To ensure early First Nation engagement in all FWCP projects, each grant applicant must submit a mandatory Notice of Intent (NOI) form prior to their grant application.  The NOI helps grant-seekers identify contacts and incorporate First Nations input and recommendations into grant applications and projects. Contact the Regional Manager for more details.