Streamside planting projects in our watershed are eligible for up to 100% funding. This is an excellent opportunity to enjoy the perks of stream buffers, with minimal planting cost.
Buffers offer lots of benefits for you and the environment. They help to stabilize streambanks by holding soil in place and reducing soil erosion. Our modelling in the Garvey-Glenn watershed has shown that bank erosion can contribute up to 50% of the sediment found in watercourses. Vegetation also helps to filter runoff and trap sediment before it enters the stream. This all helps keep soil in fields and out of waterways. Stream buffers also help to reduce downstream flooding by slowing down runoff. These areas even help to combat climate change, as the vegetation takes carbon dioxide out of the air.
As they grow, buffers provide important habitat and travel corridors for wildlife and pollinators like birds and butterflies.
Species selection should be based on existing soil conditions and the goals you would like to achieve. Maitland Conservation staff will help guide you through this selection process and develop a site plan to encourage success. Strip buffers with widths of at least 3 meters are generally required to have any impact. We encourage landowners to expand these widths where possible to reduce flooding and erosion, and improve wildlife habitat, carbon sequestration and nutrient filtration. The bigger the buffer, the bigger the impact! Species diversity of trees, shrubs, and forbs is also encouraged to increase resilience to climate change and new invasive species.
Every property is different, so staff are here to help design your project for best results.
Eligible Projects
Funding is available to establish new stream buffers that:
- Use native species
- Improve wildlife habitat
- Increase carbon sequestration
Note: Landowners must sign a 15-year agreement to protect and care for the planting.
Unsure if your property is located in Maitland Conservation’s watersheds? Check the map posted below that shows our Conservation Areas and our watershed boundaries:
If you have a stream or drain and would like to experience these benefits, don’t hesitate to contact Greg Urquhart or Shannon Millar. They will help you determine if your project is eligible for funding and work with you develop a plan. Apply today!
Greg Urquhart
[email protected]
519-335-3557 ext. 235
Shannon Millar
[email protected]
519-335-3557 ext. 233
For inspiration from landowners who have planted buffers on their properties, stay tuned for Maitland Conservation’s Landowner Spotlights.
