Landowner Grants & Programs
The Nottawasaga Valley Conservation Authority coordinates a number of programs that offer funding and technical support to landowners looking to restore and enhance water quality and wildlife habitats on their land.
Here are the programs that are offered
Healthy Waters
Program
NVCA’s provides landowners and community groups with funding and technical assistance for environmental projects on their land.
Let’s work together to restore our rivers and streams, and improve fish and wildlife habitat!
Rural Water Quality Program
NVCA offers grant incentives for landowners in Dufferin County through the Rural Water Quality Program to improve and protect water quality.
Qualified landowners and farmers receive financial assistance to share the cost of projects.
Forestry
Program
NVCA’s Forestry Program provides professional tree planting services and grants to landowners throughout the Nottawasaga Watershed.
Landowners with 2 to 2.5 acres of planting space in the Nottawasaga Watershed are eligible for funding.
Landowner Stewardship Resources
NVCA developed a list of stewardship resources for landowners. Please note that NVCA does not endorse or approve any of the products, services or opinions found on external sites. Further, NVCA is not responsible for the accuracy, accessibility, legality or content found on the external sites.
Other Land Stewardship Grants
Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association’s vision is farmers actively seeking, testing and adopting optimal farm production and stewardship practices.
Environmental Farm Plan Workshops
Grant programs offered by the Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association (OSCIA) require an Environmental Farm Plan to apply. Join the 70%+ of farmers that have completed theirs!
Learn how your farm rates with environmental risks, and how you can improve your farm, your profitability, protect your and your family’s water, and lower your risk.
Species at Risk Farm Incentive Program
The Species at Risk Farm Incentive Program (SARFIP) is a cost-share program available to farm businesses across Ontario. It provide funding for agricultural landowners interested in completing habitat creation and protection Best Management Practices (BMPs) that support species at risk. BMPs for croplands, grasslands, stream banks, shorelines, wetlands and woodlands may be eligible.
SARFIP is funded by the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forests through the Species At Risk Stewardship Fund, and the Government of Canada through the Habitat Stewardship Program for Species at Risk.
Canadian Agricultural Partnership Program
The Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership, Honey Bee Health Initiative helps to support beekeepers in maintaining healthy honey bee colonies as well as grow their number of colonies to increase the sustainability of the beekeeping industry in Ontario.
Need help with a letter of support for your application?
Stewardship staff from the NVCA may be able to help! Contact Shannon Stephens at 705-424-1479 ext 239.
For more information, visit Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association’s website.
Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) offers a variety of landowner programs. From financial incentives and land management advice to partnerships and resources for habitat enhancement.
DUC Programs in Ontario include:
- Wetland restoration and creation (1/2 acre+)
- Livestock fencing, watering systems & water diversions
- Nest Box Program
- Managed Forest Tax Incentive Program
- Conservation Easements
- Grassland Offset Program
Resource: A landowner’s guide to wetland restoration in Ontario
Not sure what program will work for you? Contact DUC at 705-721-4444 or email ontario@ducks.ca
For over 30 years, Evergreen has been facilitating change in communities through connection, innovation and sustainable actions. They work with community builders across sectors to solve some of the most pressing issues cities face: climate change, housing affordability, and access to nature and public spaces.
School Ground Greening
Green school grounds are inspired by the natural world, incorporating elements such as trees, rocks and shade to create a diverse landscape for children to explore. When combined with movable features—or with something as simple as sticks and shovels—they can bring out a child’s inner builder, architect and adventurer.
Climate Ready Schools
Evergreen’s Climate Ready Schools builds on their 30-year legacy of transforming school grounds across Canada into nature rich play and learning environments for both children and their community. This program is the next stage of their intensive work to green Canadian school grounds.
For more information, visit Evergreen’s website.
Founded by TD Bank Group in 1990, the TD Friends of the Environment Foundation is a national charity that funds environmental projects across Canada.
Organizations eligible to receive funding:
- Registered Canadian charities with a Charitable Registration Number (CRN)
- Educational institutions (primary/secondary/post-secondary)
- Municipalities
- Indigenous groups/communities
Projects eligible to receive funding:
The Foundation supports a wide range of environmental initiatives, with a primary focus on environmental education and green space programs.
Eligible projects include schoolyard greening, park revitalization, community gardens, park programming and citizen science initiatives.
For more information, visit TD Friends of the Environment Foundation’s website.
Each year, Tree Canada helps schools, community groups, Indigenous communities and municipalities across Canada looking to plant trees or develop green infrastructure through creative projects.
Greening Canada’s School Grounds
This grant helps support school greening projects that in turn enhance the learning experience for students and strengthen their relationship with nature.
Edible Trees
This grant helps fight food insecurity by offering financial and logistical support to plant fruit- and nut- bearing trees and shrubs in communities on publicly accessible sites.
Treemendous Communities
This grant encourages and supports community tree planting projects that create long-lasting benefits where people live, work or play.
For more information, visit Tree Canada’s website.
Contact ALUS Grey-Bruce Coordinators for more information
Keith and Joni Reid
206 Toronto St. S.,
Markdale, ON N0C 1H0
keith@greyagservices.ca
519-379-4086
Maple Leaves Forever offers a 25% “Thank You Rebate” on eligible purchases of Native Maple trees.
For more information, visit Maple Leaves Forever’s website.
EFAO is a membership organization that focuses on farmer-led education, research and community building. EFAO brings farmers together so they can learn from each other and improve the health of their soils, crops, livestock and the environment, to steward resilient ecological farms.
New Farmer Programs
What are you curious about on your farm? Do you have an idea for a research, variety, or breeding trial and need help designing an experiment?
EFAO can help you answer your on-farm questions with financial and technical support.
Small grains grant
As many farmers already know, small grains can offer big gains! But, trying something new on the farm comes with some uncertainty and risk. Recognizing the on-farm benefits and ecosystem services that diversified rotations provide, EFAO’s Small Grains Program addresses this risk by offsetting some of the cost of growing new acres of small grains. The Small Grains Program is open to farmers across Ontario, regardless of your agronomic practices.
For more information, visit Ecological Farmers Association of Ontario’s website.
