Financial Assistance

More Information

Get involved:

Many organizations provide financial assistance for the protection, enhancement or restoration of Ontario's biodiversity.

 

Are you looking for financial incentives or assistance to:

 

  • protect biodiversity?
  • restore or enhance biodiversity?
  • deliver educational or outreach programs?
  • organize community volunteer projects?
  • assist private landowners and farmers?

 

 

Incentives for Protecting Biodiversity

 

Here are some possible sources of funding and information:

 

Conservation Land Tax Incentive Program (CLTIP)
The Conservation Land Tax Incentive Program is a voluntary participation program that provides property tax relief to private landowners who commit to the protection of provincially recognized features and species on their property, as identified by the MNR. The program is designed to recognize, encourage and support the long-term private stewardship of Ontario's significant conservation lands. More detailed information on the program can be accessed on the CLTIP website.

 

The Managed Forest Tax Incentive Program (MFTIP)
The Managed Forest Tax Incentive Program is a voluntary program administered by the MNR to provide lower property taxes to participating landowners who agree to conserve and actively manage their forests. Under MFTIP, participating landowners have their property reassessed and classified as Managed Forest and are taxed at 25 percent of the municipal tax rate set for residential properties.

 

Ecological Gifts Program
The Ecological Gifts Program enables owners of property with sensitive natural features to preserve wildlife habitat. Since 1995, Canada's Ecological Gifts Program has helped donors and recipients of land certify land donations as ecological gifts. Private and corporate landowners who donate a conservation easement or full title to their land through the program can receive a donation receipt. In Ontario, Environment Canada certifies the ecological sensitivity of the land donation, the fair market value of the donation and that the recipient of the land donation is qualified.

 

Species at Risk Stewardship Fund

 

 

Financial Assistance to Restore or Enhance Biodiversity

 

If you’re interested in restoring biodiversity, these possible sources of funding and information will be helpful:

 

Great Lakes Sustainability Fund

This program, administered by Environment Canada, provides financial support to initiatives that rehabilitate key habitats in Canadian Great Lakes Areas of Concern. Project priorities include habitat rehabilitation, contaminated sediment clean up, stewardship and the control of runoff, in both urban and rural settings.

 

Community Fisheries and Wildlife Involvement Program

This Ministry of Natural Resources volunteer-based program is designed to encourage individual landowners, communities and school groups to participate in hands-on fish and wildlife management and conservation activities. Projects must involve members of the public and benefit Ontario's fish and wildlife.

 

Agricultural Drainage Infrastructure Program
This program is administered by the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs under authority of the Drainage Act. It provides grants to conduct assessments on agricultural land to determine the cost of municipal drain construction, improvements, maintenance, repair and operations. Wetland Drain Restoration Projects are eligible for grants under this program.

 

The Ontario Trillium Foundation
The Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF), an agency of the Ministry of Culture, is one of Canada's lead granting foundations. OTF distributes $100 million, generated through Ontario's charity casino initiative, in government funding each year. OTF encourages Ontarians to work together to improve the quality of life in their communities. Funding is available to registered non-profit organizations and community groups with a focus on strengthening the capacity of the voluntary sector.


 

Community Volunteer Programs

 

EcoAction
Environment Canada's funding program provides financial support for habitat rehabilitation and other environmental projects developed by local community groups. EcoAction funded projects rely on volunteers. The projects focus on developing the community infrastructure and on providing hands-on learning for participants.


 

Programs for Landowners/Farmers

 

Canada-Ontario Environmental Farm Plan
Environmental Farm Plans (EFP) are assessments voluntarily prepared by farm families to increase their environmental awareness in up to 23 different areas on their farm. Through the EFP local workshop process, farmers will highlight their farm’s environmental strengths identify areas of environmental concern, and set realistic action plans with time tables to improve environmental conditions. Environmental cost-share programs are available to Ontario farmers to assist in implementing projects including:

 


These are only a few of the sources available. Other sources of funds or information can be found through:

 

 

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