The purpose of this project is to improve water quality by retiring fragile agricultural land and creating vegetative buffers along watercourses and wetlands and in well head protection areas.

75%

$5,000

Must complete an Environmental Farm Plan to be eligible.

• Permanent retirement of flood plains
• Retirement of steeply sloped and erosion-prone lands
• Buffer strips on pasture land and cropped fields
• Retirement of up to 250’ around ecologically important or provincially significant wetland boundaries
• Retirement of sensitive groundwater areas including areas within Well Head Protection Areas (WHPAs)
• Enhancement or restoration of connectivity where lands help provide connections between other natural features (e.g. streams, meadows, woodlands, wetlands).
• Underplanting existing woodlots (e.g., disease impacted or conifer plantations) with seedling stock

• Fragile lands are tilled or pastured lands subject to either severe water erosion or flooding.
• Fragile lands are also areas that serve as recharge areas, adjacent to wetlands or prone to standing water.

• Buffer strips may be established along watercourses adjacent to either pasture or cropped land.
• Minimum buffer width is 10 feet. Wider buffers are encouraged.
• To be eligible, appropriate tree or shrub species must be planted in the buffer strip.
• May require municipal approval for tree planting along municipal drains.

• Trees, shrubs, grasses, wildflowers, and planting costs.
• Seedling planting is preferred; however, where need is strong and when recommended by C.A forestry staff, larger stock trees may be eligible for cost-share with $30 maximum per tree (includes planting).
• Design, engineering, minor excavation, material and labour costs of buffer strips.
• Tree protection systems and maintenance agreement costs obtained through the CA or planting contractor.
• Establishment of cover crops on tilled land (in conjunction with tree planting).

• Commercial stock, fruit trees or Christmas tree species that are intended for commercial resale.
• Labour and machinery use of applicant, family dependents, and the applicant’s business.

• To be eligible for the grant, trees, shrubs or native grasses and wildflowers must be planted on the retired acres.
• A plan is required specifying species, planting density, location, site preparation and maintenance. To promote approval, the plan should be developed in conjunction with Conservation Authority forestry staff or a private consultant.
• Management for invasive species prior to planting may be considered where appropriate.
• Proper site preparation is required for tree planting.
• The participant is responsible for the care and maintenance of tree plantings.
• Livestock must be excluded from the site.
• All trees, shrubs, grasses and wildflowers must be native unless strong reasoning can be provided for alternate stock.
• Applicants will be required to sign a 15-year management agreement.