Essex – The Essex Region Conservation Authority is offering grants of up to 80% for projects that help protect our environment. “We are now accepting grant applications for crop nutrient plans for covering up to 80% of the cost of the plan including soil sampling, for watersheds that drain directly into Lake Erie,” says Michael Dick, Agricultural Technician. ERCA is also accepting Clean Water-Green Spaces grant applications for cover crops in these watersheds.
As well, ERCA is looking for landowners interested in planting trees or creating prairie habitat on their property this spring. “Planting trees on your property not only helps the environment, but can improve property value, reduce heating and cooling costs and improve the aesthetics of your land,” said Rob Davies, ERCA’s Forester. “Some species are only available in very limited quantities, so we would recommend that if you are interested, to contact us as soon as possible.”
ERCA acts as a one-stop shop for property owners, providing an online catalogue of tree and shrub species. Prices range from $0.85 seedlings to $41 large stock trees.
“We want to make it as convenient as possible for individuals to help us restore natural coverage,” Davies said. To participate in the program, individuals must own at least one acre of land and purchase a minimum of 100 seedlings or 15 large stock trees. The deadline for ordering trees is January 31, 2020.
In addition to agricultural grants, programs are also available to landowners wishing to undertake more significant restoration projects such as reforestation, buffer strips, prairie planting or windbreaks. Agricultural properties are eligible for windbreaks of 2000 linear feet for as little as no cost with landowners in kind contributions. Among their many benefits, windbreaks reduce soil erosion, increase water quality and have been shown to increase crop yields.
For more information about ERCA’s farm stewardship, tree planting and restoration programs, please visit essexregionconservation.ca/trees. 310 for restoration projects or Michael Dick at ext. 369 for agricultural related inquiries.
For more than four decades, Essex Region Conservation has been sustaining and enriching the environment of the Windsor-Essex-Pelee Island region to ensure it is the Place for Life.
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Media Contacts:
Kevin Money
Director, Conservation Services
519-776-5209 ext. 351
kmoney@erca.org
