Enhancing Wildlife Habitat

• Wildlife habitat enhancement: Projects that create or restore wildlife habitat and the need for food, water, shelter and/or places to raise young, i.e. bird and/or bat boxes, snake hibernacula, planting native seed mixes, trees, shrubs, and herbaceous plants.

• Site preparation and planting materials: Projects that help manage and control invasive species including herbicide application by licensed applicator, rototilling, mowing, soil amendments, rodent guards, mulch, etc.

• Innovative projects: Do you have your own ideas that protect and enhance wildlife habitat? Talk to us to see if they will be considered.

Priority may be given to projects that are near identified natural heritage areas. Please consult with a Restoration Project Specialist.

Projects must be a minimum cost of $500 before tax.

• • Planting stock: Native trees and shrubs, herbaceous plants; bareroot and/or maximum 2 gallon pots – 50% up to $2,500

  • Wildlife habitat enhancement: Construction material for snake hibernacula, bird/bat/butterfly/insect boxes, nesting platform, seed costs etc. – 50% up to $2,500

  • Site preparation and planting materials: Including but not limited to rototilling, mowing, invasive species management and competition control (herbicide application by licensed applicator, soil amendments, rodent guards, brush mats, mulch), etc. – 50% up to $2,500

What’s covered?

• Permits

• Professional design fees

• Materials and labour associated with an approved project

What isn’t covered?

• Taxes

• Any projects associated with non-native and invasive species

• Enhancements for recreational use or aesthetic purposes

• Machinery or equipment owned and used by the applicant, family dependents or the applicant’s business

• Labour of applicant, family dependents or the applicant’s business

• If you have an outstanding violation with the Conservation Authority, you won’t be eligible for funding

• Work required as a condition of a municipal planning or Conservation Authority permit will not be eligible

• Work that proceeds prior to funding approval does not qualify for funding assistance

Projects in or near water may require reviews, approvals, and/or permits from, but not limited to the local municipality, the Conservation Authority, the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry, and the federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans. Permits are the responsibility of the applicant and must be in place prior to construction.

Please contact a Restoration Project Specialist to verify program eligibility and to answer any questions/concerns you may have about the program and/or the application process. This is a voluntary program and all calls are confidential.

Complete the Landowner Information Form and Project Profile Form to submit an application, along with:

• Two cost quotations

• Project site plan

Only complete applications will be considered for funding assistance.