The Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority

Riverine Flood Status
Normal
Lake Simcoe Shoreline Status
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Low Water Status
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Funding & Expertise

Restoring the Lake Simcoe watershed

Restoration Impacts

Our restoration program works to protect and enhance water quality and quantity, natural ecosystems, and wildlife habitat through tree planting, best management practices, and low impact development.

Restoration projects that our team has the pleasure of working on include enhancing ecosystems such as streams, wetlands, forests and meadows. We also work on enhancing stowrmwater in our urban environments and with farmers to implement agricultural projects. We value working with our partners, federal, provincial, municipal, community and private to complete projects that work toward our mission.

Book your no obligation site visit​

We know that undertaking projects on your property can be costly, and we want to encourage you to choose the projects that provide the changes you seek, but also ones that benefit the air, water and land that sustain us all.

Our current funding support seeks to achieve:

water quality icon
Improved water quality

through streambank erosion protection, limiting nutrient inputs and sediment loading, removal of barriers, and decreasing wa​ter temperatures.

Soil
Soil conservation

by addressing water and wind erosion.

natural areas
Enhanced natural areas

by increasing biodiversity and wildlife habitat, expanding buffers and encouraging other natural features such as grasslands.​​​

Need information from an Restoration Project Specialist?

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Paul Cottenden

Restoration Project Specialist

905-895-1281 Ext. 245
P.Cottenden@lsrca.on.ca

  • Bradford West Gwillimbury (Holland Marsh)
  • New Tecumseth
  • York Region
    • Aurora
    • East Gwillimbury
    • King
    • Newmarket
    • Whitchurch-Stouffville​​​​
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Peter Shuttleworth

Restoration Project Specialist

905-895-1281 Ext. 114
p.shuttleworth@lsrca.on.ca

  • Barrie
  • City of Kawartha Lakes
  • Durham Region
    • Brock
    • Scugog
    • Uxbridge
  • Simcoe County
    • Bradford West Gwillimbury (excluding the Holland Marsh)
    • Innisfil
    • Oro-Medonte
    • Ramara 
  • York Region
    • ​Georgina

Top 10 Restoration Projects

Are you wondering how our funding program works?
Here are some frequently asked questions!

Funding Q & A

Our member municipalities provide the funding that is available to landowners in the Lake Simcoe watershed. This funding helps landowners complete projects that have environmental benefits, supporting improved water quality, soil conservation, or natural heritage enhancement.

Owners of public, private, or commercial properties within the Lake Simcoe watershed are eligible to apply for funding assistance. Each grant category has specific eligibility criteria that must be met before funding is approved. To find out more about each category’s guidelines, visit our eligible project list and click your project of interest. 

Our Restoration Project Specialists have expertise in biology, ecology, forestry, bio-engineering, and many related fields. Their technical advice is provided at no cost, to help you plan and complete your project. Our team can also assist you with accessing funding from other sources, if/when it is available.

A range of projects may be considered for funding. Each project type is unique. We recommend you check each project category to determine what costs are eligible. For details on eligible projects, please refer to the project guidelines available under each of our project category pages. Innovative projects may also be considered for funding. Contact our Restoration Project Specialists for more information.

Funding rates and caps vary depending on the project. Rates typically range from 50 – 100%, with caps for each project. View the project guidelines for details, or view the eligible projects for an overview of rates and caps.

An application package consists of Applicant Information Forms, Project Profile Forms, as well as a minimum of two written quotes from qualified contractors. Some project categories require additional information to accompany the application. Application Forms can be found under eligible projects. Click the link to the project you’re interested in completing, and then click the drop down to see application forms.

While a contractor may be able to assist you in filling out your application form, we strongly encourage all applicants to complete the necessary forms yourself as you will be required to sign all documents. The funding cannot be issued to the contractor directly. Only the landowner is eligible to receive the grant reimbursement.

Applications can be filled out electronically and submitted via email, mailed or hand delivered to the LSRCA offices at 120 Bayview Parkway, Newmarket, Ontario L3Y 3W3. Paper copies of the application are also available.

Applications are accepted year-round. The funding is limited each year and is administered on a first-come, first-served basis.

All projects must be pre-approved for funding prior to commencing. Projects that begin prior to receiving a formal letter of funding approval are considered retroactive and would need to be discussed with your restoration project specialist. 

Funding assistance is provided through a reimbursement process. Landowners are responsible for arranging permits, project construction, and for paying contractors up-front and in-full. Receipts and other required documents must be sent to our stewardship department upon project completion. A checklist of required information is sent with your funding approval letter. Once all required documents are received, you can expect to receive reimbursement within the mail within 4-6 weeks.

All projects must be pre-approved to be eligible for funding. Retroactive projects are not typically accepted. Contact our Restoration Project Specialists for more information.

Yes, you can still apply for our funding. In many cases, we can work with you to apply for other grants to “stack” your funding.

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