Resilient Agricultural Landscape Program

Wetland Creation and Restoration

Funding is available听for the听implementation of听the creation or restoration of wetlands.听Wetlands are permanently or seasonally flooded areas with high water tables, saturated听soils听and water-tolerant plants.听Wetland听types include fens, bogs, swamps,听marshes,听and ponds.听

Rates

  • 50%
  • Maximum = $10,000

Requirements

  • Field (s) must be in the Upper Thames watershed
  • Applicants must have a verified 4th or 5th edition Environmental Farm Plan or are working towards the completion of an updated EFP within the timeline of the project
  • Applicants must have a Farm Business Registration Number (FBRN) or provide proof that the land is assessed as “farmland” as per Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC). The definition can be found at
  • Applicants must be willing to enter into a signed Land Use Agreement with UTRCA, committing the farm business to maintaining the project for a period of 15 years.
  • Livestock must be fences out of wetland
  • Appropriate permits and/or approvals must be obtained for all activities in and around existing wetlands or created wetland areas. As required, UTRCA will facilitate the Duty to Consult Process.
  • Municipal approval must be obtained for any alteration of existing drainage works.

Eligible Costs

  • Site preparation, including invasive species removal
  • Design, material and labour costs associated with the project including site excavation, earthwork, equipment rentals, erosion control, ditch plugs, tile drainage removal, control structures, overflow spillways
  • Establishment and re-establishment of planting and buffers, up to a maximum of 5 meters or less surrounding the wetland. Species must be recommended by UTRCA staff and be non-invasive
  • Livestock exclusion fencing and associated alternative water supply systems

Ineligible Costs

  • Work associated with irrigation ponds or landscaping
  • Work creating a depth of water approaching 4.5 meters (15ft)
  • Fencing not directly associated with live exclusion from the wetland area
  • Erosion control structures not related to wetlands
  • Tile听drainage that听is not听directly related听to the project听
  • Purchase of equipment听
  • Planting of invasive species听
  • Grant will not be paid on HST if the applicant is entitled to a HST rebate
  • Invoices听not听issued in the听applications听name or farm business.听

Grants under this program may not be combined with other initiatives that claim carbon credits. Projects funded through the Resilient Agricultural Landscape Program will not be entitled to carbon credits/greenhouse gas (GHG) offsets for the 10-year period of the agreement, after which, applicants may be eligible for Federal and Provincial GHG offset systems, as applicable.

Contact

Tatianna Lozier, Acting Manager, Integrated Watershed Management

[email protected]

519-451-2800 ext. 233