Lower Trent Conservation
Did You Know?

More the 80 % of Ontario’s population receives their drinking water from a municipal drinking water system. Municipalities, Conservation Authorities, and Source Protection Authorities others play a strong role in ensuring that municipally treated drinking water is safe for our use.

Grants

Lower Trent Conservation offers stewardship grants to landowners living in the Lower Trent region watershed. To help you plan your stewardship project, book a site visit with Lower Trent Conservation staff. We offer technical advice and assist you with the application process. Applications will be reviewed by a committee and projects funded based on environmental benefit. Here are some things you can do to care for lands and waters:

Projects

Grant Rate

Why apply for cost-share funding?

Project Conditions

Livestock Fencing

50-75% up to max of

$2,000-$7,500*

  • Improve water quality by keeping livestock out of streams

  • Prevent nutrients & feces from entering water

  • Stabilize stream banks to reduce erosion

  • Fencing along streams or wetlands

     Installed at least 5 m from top-of-bank

    Shoreline plantings are encouraged

Alternate Watering Systems

50-75% up to max of

$2,000-$7,500*

  • Improve water quality by keeping livestock out of streams

  • Fencing to restrict livestock access to streams must be in place

Shoreline Planting

Plantings: 75-100%

up to max of $1,000

  • Plant native species to restore shoreline habitat to improve water quality, stabilize stream banks and filter excess nutrients

  • Plantings along shorelines up to 30 m wide on each side of a stream

    Only native plant species of trees, shrubs, wildflowers and grasses can be used

Tree Planting & Habitat Creation

50% up to max of

$1,000-$7,500*

  • Plant trees to increase and enhance forest cover

  • Wetland creation to improve water quality

  • Tree planting in areas less than 2.5 acres

Erosion Control

50% up to max of

$500-$7,500*

  • Utilize bioengineering techniques to reduce erosion along streams

  • Project must be designed by a trained professional (e.g. engineer or environmental technician)

Oil Tank Drip Tray & Alarm

50% up to max of

$250

  • Prevent oil spills from contaminating groundwater as required by the Trent Source Protection Plan

  • Applies to below ground home heating oil tanks located in vulnerable areas associated with the Stirling municipal drinking water system

Septic Systems

100% for septic tank pump-out, up to max of $400 for repairs

  • Improve water quality in the Bay of   Quinte by reducing sources of phosphorus from septic systems

  • For residential septic systems of properties on the Bay of Quinte, or on streams or rivers within 10 km of the outlet to the Bay of Quinte

Soil Testing

100% for soil laboratory analysis

  • Learn more about nutrients in your soil and best management practices

  • For crop farmers located within the Bay of Quinte Remedial Action Plan priority program area

Cover Crops

$30.00/acre up to $2,500

  • Reduce soil erosion and nutrient runoff

  • For crop farmers within the Bay of Quinte Remedial Action Plan priority program area

* Higher maximum grant limits may be available to landowners in some areas of the watershed through the Bay of Quinte Remedial Action Plan’s Habitat Enhancement Program.


Eligible project costs include: purchased materials, permits, contract labour. Ineligible costs include: tools & equipment, in-kind labour, new hydro lines or wells, new septic systems. All receipts must be from a registered business. A site visit by Lower Trent Conservation staff is required to determine project eligibility. Some projects may require permits from Lower Trent Conservation and/or other agencies. Lower Trent Conservation permit fees may be waived for eligible projects.

If you are interested in applying for a stewardship grant:

  1. Call and discuss your project ideas with Lower Trent Conservation staff.
  2. Book a site visit.
  3. Submit a grant funding application including quotes from a registered business.
  4. If your application is approved, you will receive a letter with the grant amount and terms.
  5. Complete your project and save your receipts!
  6. When finished, contact Lower Trent Conservation staff to book a final site visit and submit all eligible expense receipts.
  7. A cheque will be sent to you for the approved grant amount.
  8. Maintain your project for at least 10 years and enjoy the benefits of healthy lands and clean water.

For more information or to schedule your site visit with Lower Trent Conservation, please call the office to speak to an appropriate staff member.

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(613) 394-4829

714 Murray St
Trenton, ON
K8V 0N1