County partners with local Conservation Authorities to launch Land Stewardship Pilot Program

Wyoming, ON - The County of Lambton is working with the St. Clair Region Conservation Authority (SCRCA) and Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority (ABCA) to launch a Land Stewardship pilot program, which is funded by the Ontario government’s Great Lakes Local Action Fund.

The Lambton County Land Stewardship pilot program works to increase and support local environmental stewardship efforts by providing matching grants to farmers and landowners of up to 50 percent, to a maximum of $10,000, to help offset the cost of implementing land stewardship projects on their properties.

The pilot was identified as an action item in the County’s Corporate Climate Change Strategy, adopted in 2024. “As part of its mission, the County is committed to environmental stewardship, practicing sound environmental principles that are transferable from one generation to the next,” said Lambton County Warden Kevin Marriott. “That mission includes protecting local waterways, shorelines, marshes, agricultural lands, and other components of the natural environment.”

 “Farmers and landowners know their lands best—they are ideal environmental stewardship partners for this project spearheaded by the County of Lambton and local conservation organizations to protect local watersheds and communities,” said Todd McCarthy, Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks. “By supporting local initiatives through the Great Lakes Local Action Fund, we are helping to make a lasting impact on the health of waterways and the strength of our communities for generations to come.”

"I'm extremely pleased that the Government of Ontario is partnering with the County of Lambton and our local conservation authorities on this exciting initiative,” said Sarnia-Lambton MPP Bob Bailey. “I strongly encourage local residents to put forward stewardship ideas that will support and strengthen our local environment for generations to come.”

Eligible project types were identified in consultation with the Conservation Authorities and the County of Lambton Agricultural Advisory Committee. They were selected for their ability to mitigate the impacts of climate change locally, build soil resiliency, reduce agricultural and rural impacts to water quality, and reduce financial barriers to project adoption and uptake.

Eligible projects include:

• Rural stormwater management and wetland management plans
• Community projects (including tree plantings)
• Well decommissioning
• Cover crop incentive
• Forest management plans and woodlot enhancement
• Wetland restoration incentive programs (including phragmites management)
• Erosion control
• Living snow fences, windbreaks, riparian buffers, and woodlot expansion/increasing wildlife habitat connectivity

Projects must occur between February 15, 2025, and December 31, 2025 to be eligible, and align with SCRCA and ABCA conservation goals, and help to protect and improve the health of the Great Lakes.

Visit lambtononline.ca/landstewardship to learn more about the program and how to apply.

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Please contact:

Jessica Van Zwol
Healthy Watershed Coordinator
St. Clair Region Conservation Authority
519-245-3710 ext. 241
Email Jessica Van Zwol

Brooklyn Rau
Stewardship Technician
Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority
519-235-2610 ext. 261
Email Brooklyn Rau