Planting Trees and Shrubs
There are many environmental benefits to planting trees. By having more trees on your property, you can help to reduce the impacts of climate change, increase wildlife habitat, help control erosion and flooding, improve air and water quality, and decrease home energy costs. The purpose of this program is to help landowners naturalize their property. The LSRCA provides knowledge, technical and planting services that will help ensure the long term success of your planting project.
Funding
Landowners within the Lake Simcoe watershed may qualify for grants of 50 per cent of project costs for eligible projects, to a maximum of $6,000. Additional funds may be available from other environmental grant funding sources. LSRCA watershed coordinators will ensure that you are made aware of all the grant funding programs available to you.
What projects are eligible?
- Reforestation projects on floodplains, marginal or fragile croplands, or groundwater recharge areas.
- Planting buffer strips along watercourses, wetlands, or other water bodies.
- Installing tree windbreaks to prevent wind erosion.
What costs may be covered?
- Site assessment and planting plan design
- Trees, shrubs and planting costs
- Establishment of cover crops on tilled land (in conjunction with tree planting)
- Site preparation
What isn't covered?
- Work that proceeds prior to funding approval.
- Commercial stock, fruit trees or trees established for Christmas tree production.
- Large nursery stock, as used for landscaping. Seedlings and bare root stock are preferred.
- Machinery or equipment used by the applicant, family dependents or the applicant's business.
Conditions
- If LSRCA services are not utilized, it is recommended that a private consultant with with membership in the Ontario.
- Professional Foresters Association be retained.
- The participant is responsible for the care and maintenance of trees and shrubs after planting.
- Landowners must place a minimum order of $500 (before grants are applied) if ordering trees from LSRCA.
- If you have an outstanding violation with the LSRCA or any other regulatory agency, you may not be eligible.