Across LTVCA Watershed –
The Lower Thames Valley Conservation Authority’s (LTVCA) mission is to lead by example in environmental protection in partnership with the community. Our stewardship programs offered to local landowners provide financial incentives to create a balanced and healthy watershed.
We focus our efforts on reducing nutrients and soil entering waterways and ultimately the Great Lakes. Staff apply for special funding which provides opportunities for local projects that will protect and restore species and habitats, encourage a sense of ownership of environmental rehabilitation efforts, and protect our source water resources. Below is a listing of what funding programs we can offer:
TREE PLANTING:
Annually, a mid-March deadline for ordering tree seedlings and large stock trees results in over 100,000 trees planted across the watershed. The deadline for ordering trees in 2017 is March 15th. Site visits can be conducted year round, so don’t hesitate to call! Trees are available for windbreaks, block plantations and shelterbelts. Anyone can purchase a minimum of 10 trees per species from our species availability form on our website. LTVCA planting service is $1.00/tree. The Chatham-Kent Tree of the Year Program offers a free tree to residents in early April and features a different tree each year!
CREATING WETLANDS:
Creating wetlands is one way to enhance your property and natural habitat. Wetland restoration requires a 1:3 ratio of surface water to upland habitat. This means that for a 1 acre pond, you would need 3 acres of upland habitat to create a suitable ecological system to function properly. Landowners who qualify may receive up to 75% cost share for wetland restorations. Not all sites are suitable so please call to arrange a site visit.
PRAIRIE GRASS SEEDING:
There is funding available for stream buffers, bank stabilization, pollinator habitat and warm season pastures. Please call us for details.
ELGIN CLEAN WATER PROGRAM:
This program is designed to assist landowners with projects that will help improve and protect
water quality in Elgin County. This program is available for farmers for erosion control, wellhead protection, well decommissioning, wetland and riparian habitat enhancement/restoration/ protection, clean water diversion, livestock access restriction to watercourses and other projects.
ALUS in ELGIN COUNTY:
Alternative Land Use Services (ALUS) is a community-developed, farmer-delivered program that provides supports to farmers and ranchers to enhance and maintain nature’s benefits on the working landscape. ALUS targets agricultural producer land that is environmentally sensitive and/or significant, marginal land or inaccessible lands.
GLASI: Great Lakes Agricultural Stewardship Initiative Jeannettes Creek Phosphorus Reduction and Monitoring Program:
The Jeannettes Creek Priority Subwatershed Project will evaluate the effectiveness of a focused stewardship approach on achieving measurable improvements to soil health and water quality. Reductions in edge-of-field losses of soil and nutrients, with a focus on phosphorus will be measured. This will be achieved by implementing several highly targeted agricultural Best Management Practices (BMPs) in the Jeannettes Creek Subwatershed. The goal is to observe cumulative reductions in soil and nutrient loss from the field’s edge as a direct result of the implemented BMPs. The program will offer grant funding to eligible farmers within Jeannettes Creek to implement the following agriculture best management practices: cover crops, alternative phosphorus application practices, crop and field nutrient management, buffer strips, drainage and water management and conservation tillage.
AGRICULTURAL IMPROVEMENT FUND:
This is a grant available to all farmers across the Lower Thames Watershed. It’s focus is to assist farmers with implementing Best Management Practices on their land to help proactively protect soil, air and water. BMPs such as buffer strips, windbreaks, cover crops, improved stream crossings, fencing to protect shorelines, stream banks and wetland areas, grassland waterways, and erosion control structures along stream banks and shorelines are eligible for funding.
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SPECIES AT RISK FARM IMPROVEMENT PLAN:
This is a grant available to all farmers across the Lower Thames Watershed who have completed the Environmental Farm Plan training and have known species at risk on their property. This program is administered by Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association and provides funding to enhance and sustain natural areas and habitats. It provides funding to landowners for stewardship projects that directly benefit Species at Risk.
GROWING FORWARD 2:
This is a grant available to all farmers across the Lower Thames Watershed. Although not mandatory, Environmental Farm Plan training will boost an applicant’s chance for funding. This program is administered by Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association and provides funding for various farm related improvements.
We encourage landowners to visit our website at www.ltvca for further information and application forms. Please contact us for details! Together we can make a difference across our watershed!
For Further Information Contact:
Greg Van Every
Environmental Project Coordinator
519-354-7310 ext.229
Email [email protected]