3 Okanagan grad students win big for wildlife contributions
Published 12:30 pm Tuesday, September 8, 2026
Nine graduate students in B.C. have been awarded scholarships through the Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation (HCTF), including three students in the Okanagan.
Studying at the University of B.C. Okanagan (UBCO), Madeline Frazer, Peter Baker and Kara Atkinson were each awarded $10,000 to support applied research in wildlife and habitat stewardship, management, policy and decision-making.
“Their projects reflect the breadth of the challenges and opportunities in wildlife management, from species-focused research on grizzly bears, elk, mule deer, caribou, snakes and birds to broader work on the impact of climate change on species, evaluating invasive species management, the impact of silviculture and forest harvest on ungulate, and the history of land management on ecosystems,” said Dan Buffet with HCTF. “We look forward to their work supporting communities and informing decision-making to help shape conservation in B.C.”
The scholarship program, Together for Wildlife, is in its fourth year and runs in partnership with the First Nations – B.C. Wildlife and Habitat Conservation Forum and the Province of B.C.
“Supporting scientific research on wildlife deepens our understanding of B.C.’s habitats, ecosystems, biodiversity and stewardship practices for future generations,” said Randene Neill, Minister of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship. “The Together for Wildlife scholarship program encourages collaboration and knowledge sharing between academics, scientists, First Nations and community partners by drawing together diverse perspectives to make well-informed decisions about wildlife and habitat stewardship throughout B.C.”
Learn more about the 2026 winners at hctf.ca.