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 (Western District) / ALUS Chatham-Kent Coordinator –
Soil Health Program
The objective of the Soil Health 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 support planting cover crops in the LTVCA watershed. Furthermore, the program provides cost share funding to complete grid or zone soil sampling to assess soil health and inform nutrient management planning. All details, forms and claims are available online or through:
Outreach Specialist- Sarah Cook, 519-354-7310 ext. 241
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 Services (ALUS) helps farmers and ranchers integrate ecologically beneficial projects on their properties in marginal, inaccessible and environmentally sensitive areas. What’s more, ALUS provides annual payments to ensure the ongoing maintenance and stewardship of the ALUS project. ALUS Elgin partners with each Conservation Authority and other organizations in the region to develop projects and ideas that are best suited to the landowners’ needs and the priorities of Elgin County.
ALUS Elgin Program Coordinator –Stephanie Cullen
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 Elgin Brochure
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