By: Angela Straathof, Program Director, OSCIA

Ontario’s landscape may soon be seeing many more acres of dedicated wetlands, grasslands and riparian zones thanks to support queued up for farmers through the Nature Smart Climate Readiness Program. Funded by Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC), the Nature Smart program is designed to support projects with the most environmental benefit and return on the investment for funding provided under the program. Projects supported by the Nature Smart program should:

1. Reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and increase carbon sequestration through the restoration and conservation of grassland, wetland and riparian ecosystems;
2. Support the conservation of carbon and biodiversity-rich ecosystems that are at high risk of conversion to other uses that would release their stored carbon;
3. Encourage enhanced land management practices that reduce GHG emissions or increase carbon sequestration in ecosystems, and support biodiversity.

During application intakes, farmers will have the opportunity to submit a competitive bid for funding to support their proposed project, alongside information on their site’s features. This information will allow the proposal to be ranked alongside other applications. Successfully-funded projects will have demonstrated the most potential for environmental benefits through carbon sequestration, greenhouse gas emission reduction, and other co-benefits such as preservation of habitat for Species at Risk.

Carbon storage is an environmental long-game: carbon in plants and soil can be readily returned to the atmosphere if the practices that ensure its stability are not maintained. To ensure the long-term benefit of carbon sequestration is realized, the landowner will be required to commit to maintaining their project for ten years. Funding support provided under the program is meant to acknowledge this level of commitment by the landowner.

This project is being undertaken with the financial support of the Government of Canada through Environment and Climate Change’s  Nature Smart Climate Solutions Fund. This funding program recognizes that conserving and restoring nature is fundamental to mitigating and adapting to climate change. Canada is committed to nature-based solutions to build resilience and help Canada meet its 2030 and 2050 climate change objectives. OSCIA is pleased to be supporting these national objectives through delivery of the Nature Smart Climate Readiness Program.

The program runs until 2025. The first intake is currently in development and will be announced as soon intake dates are confirmed. To receive the latest information about intake opportunities, be sure to join the OSCIA programs mailing list at: https://www.ontariosoilcrop.org/subscribe-to-our-programs-mailing-list/