Maitland Conservation staff provide assistance to landowners undertaking projects to improve water quality. Grants are available in Huron and Wellington counties for selected best management practices. These programs are financially supported by local municipalities and delivered by Conservation Authority staff.
Stream Buffer Planting
Funding is available from multiple sources for streamside planting projects in our watershed This is an excellent opportunity to start a stream buffer project at a reduced 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. 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.
To get started please contact:
Shannon Millar
smillar@mvca.on.ca
519-335-3557 ext. 233
Huron Clean Water Project
For over 20 years the Huron Clean Water Project (HCWP) provided financial and technical assistance to county residents to improve and protect water quality. The project was funded by the County of Huron and delivered by the Maitland and Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authorities. Over 4,600 projects have been completed. The program is now winding down and Maitland Conservation would like to thank all the landowners who participated in the program over the years. Your commitment to stewardship has left a lasting legacy throughout the Maitland and Ausable Bayfield watersheds.
If you have questions about wrapping up a project on your property please contact Ben Van Dieten, Agricultural Stewardship Supervisor, at bvandieten@mvca.on.ca or 519-335-3557 ext. 245.