Habitat Restoration Grants
Assistance is available for Tallgrass Prairie, Wetland, and Tree Plantations. Please email our staff with the Lower Thames Valley Conservation Authority if you are interested in planting trees or creating wetlands on your property.
Conservation Services Coordinator – Greg Van Every
Species at Risk Farm Incentive Program – Intake Opened Annually Based Upon Funding
FYI – SARFIP Intake opens annually based upon funding. Funding closes as soon as funds are fully allocated!
The Species at Risk Farm Incentive Program (SARFIP) provides funding to agricultural landowners interested in completing habitat creation, enhancement and protection Best Management Practices (BMPs) that support species at risk. The range of possible activities applies to croplands, grasslands, stream banks, shorelines, wetlands and woodlands.
For more information on the Species at Risk Farm Incentive Program visit the Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Associations website.
Livestock Exclusion Fencing and Alternate Watering Sources
Contact us if you have an interest in livestock exclusion fencing and alternate watering sources.
Conservation Services Coordinator – Greg Van Every
Land Stewardship Technician / ALUS Chatham-Kent Coordinator – Rashel Tremblay
Agricultural Program
The objective of the Lower Thames Agricultural Program is to support agricultural businesses that are implementing practices to improve soil health and regional water quality. The LTVCA is looking for producers that are taking action to improve soil health and mitigate phosphorus loss.
This program will offer agricultural producers financial incentives to a suite of Best Management Practices such as: cover crops and 4R nutrient management. Funding and application forms for this program will be available beginning in November 2024.
For more information please contact the Agricultural Program Coordinator – Donna Small, 519-354-7310 ext. 235.
Erosion Control Grants
Funding is available to combat streambank erosion.
Eligible projects include:
- Riparian buffers of prairie grass, trees and/or shrubs planted between agricultural fields and creek/drains
- Fencing to exclude livestock from streams and provision of alternative water sources
- Wetland construction to allow eroded material to settle before water outlets to a watercourse
- Rock chutes for bank erosion prevention
Benefits:
- Reduced loss of soil and nutrients
- Improved herd health (weight gain and less disease)
- Improved water quality and habitat for aquatic species
Technical expertise is available.
Contact [email protected] for more information.
Elgin Clean Water Program
The Elgin Clean Water Program provides technical assistance and financial incentives to help landowners implement stewardship projects on their properties. The program was created by the four Elgin County Conservation Authorities (Catfish Creek, Kettle Creek, Long Point Region, and Lower Thames Valley) with the goal of protecting and improving water quality and habitat conditions across Elgin County. Landowners can apply to receive up to 50% of the cost of environmental stewardship projects undertaken on their property to a maximum of $4,000. Eligible project categories include erosion control measures, wetland and riparian habitat. Visit www.elgincleanwater.ca for further information.
The ALUS Program
Alternative Land Use Systems (ALUS) sees a future where all farmers provide ecosystem services from nature-based solutions on their land alongside regular production to help solve biodiversity loss and climate change. Through its community-delivered programs, ALUS helps farmers integrate ecologically beneficial projects on their properties in marginal, inaccessible and environmentally sensitive areas. To do so, ALUS aids in the establishment costs for approved ALUS projects, and as well as annual payments to partnering landowners to ensure their ongoing maintenance and stewardship, as outlined in Participant Agreements. ALUS also maintains their accountability to the success of these projects through design and implementation support, independent monitoring, and third-party verification.
The ALUS communities associated with the Lower Thames Conservation Authority include ALUS Chatham-Kent, ALUS Elgin, and ALUS Middlesex. These communities’ partner with regional Conservation Authorities and other organizations to develop projects and ideas that are best suited to the landowners’ needs and the priorities of each County. Through the collaborative integration of nature-based solutions, ALUS aims to promote long-term climate resilience and enhanced biodiversity, for the benefit of their communities.
ALUS Elgin Program Coordinator –
Mailing Address: Lower Thames Valley Conservation Authority, 8449 Irish Drive, R.R#1, Mount Brydges, ON N0P 1W0
ALUS Elgin Expression of Interest Form
ALUS Middlesex Program Coordinator – Elise Gabrielli-Schroder
Mailing Address: Lower Thames Valley Conservation Authority, 8449 Irish Drive, R.R#1, Mount Brydges, ON N0P 1W0
ALUS Middlesex Expression of Interest Form
ALUS Chatham-Kent Coordinator – Rashel Tremblay
Mailing Address: Lower Thames Valley Conservation Authority, 100 Thames Street, Chatham, ON N7L 2Y8
ALUS Chatham-Kent Expression of Interest Form
Environmental Farm Plan
Environmental Farm Plan (EFP) is a Canada wide program. If you have taken the course you are eligible for funding for windbreaks, shelter belts and many other environmental upgrades to your property.
For more information regarding any of the above programs, please email:
Land Stewardship Technician (Western District) – Amanda Blain
Land Stewardship Technician (Eastern District) – Tyler Thornton