How it works

Through the Land Stewardship and Habitat Restoration Program (LSHRP), you can get up to $20,000 in matching funds for a project that maintains or restores habitats that benefit fish, animals and/or plants.

Who is eligible

You are eligible if you are incorporated and:

  • an Aboriginal organization or community
  • a conservation organization
  • a business
  • a municipal government
  • a non-government organization

What is eligible

Eligible projects include:

  • stream restoration (e.g., fencing, shoreline planting)  
  • upland or terrestrial improvements (e.g., tree planting, windbreaks and corridors)
  • wetland restoration (e.g., water control, plantings and excavation)
  • invasive species control through mechanical or ecological means, or site modifications
  • native species reintroduction

You can submit only 1 project for funding in any given year.

How to apply

Applications will be accepted using the new Stewardship Portal.

Step 1: Read the program guidelines before registering for an account.

Step 2: Register for a Stewardship Portal account

Step 3: Complete the online application and submit via the Stewardship Portal.

Step 4: You will receive an email confirmation within 3 working days.

Selection process

This is a competitive funding program. Projects are chosen based on their strategic contribution to conserving Ontario’s biodiversity.

Phase 1: All applications are screened for program eligibility.

Phase 2:  Eligible applications are evaluated by ministry district staff.

Phase 3:  Eligible applications are reviewed by a team of experts. All projects are scored on how well they meet the program’s objectives, as well as project design, feasibility and community support.

All applicants are notified of the funding outcome of their proposal by e-mail.

2017/2018 LSHRP approved projects

Organization and project title

  • Ontario Streams: Lake Ontario and Lake Simcoe Watershed Improvement: Stream Rehabilitation Initiatives 2017
  • Rural Lambton Stewardship Network: Highway 40 International Prairie Passage
  • ReForest London: Forest City Woodland Enhancement Project
  • The Friends of Rondeau Provincial Park: Rondeau's Oak Savannah Restoration Project
  • Friends of Hullett: Hullett Phragmites Control Project
  • Ducks Unlimited Canada: Shea Rebuild Project
  • Royal Botanical Gardens: Cootes Paradise Princess Point Wildlife Habitat Project
  • Land Care Niagara Inc.: Afforestation Creation & Restoration in the Niagara Region and Haldimand County
  • Hamilton Conservation Authority: Christie Lake Conservation Area Invasive Species Control and Restoration Project
  • Trout Unlimited Canada: Brook Trout Habitat Restoration - Rudd Dam Removal Project
  • Trees for Hamilton: Trees for Hamilton - Natural Heritage Spaces
  • Willow Park Ecology Centre (WPEC): Preservation of Contiguous Forest and Swamp Habitat along Silver Creek/Hungry Hollow, Phase II
  • Federation of Ontario Naturalists (Ontario Nature): Rubbish Removal and Habitat Restoration at Lost Bay Nature Reserve
  • Lanark County Stewardship Council: Creating Corridors in Lanark County
  • Wabaseemoong Independent Nations: Restoring Habitats for Wild Rice, Wildlife, and Fish in Whitedog Lake and the Whitedog River
  • Nottawasaga Valley Conservation Authority (NVCA): Connecting Communities and Creeks - Lamont Creek Restoration
  • Bruce Peninsula Biosphere Association: Landscape-scale Management of Invasive Phragmites australis on the Bruce Peninsula (Phase 2)
  • Hepworth Anglers Club: Spring Creek Restoration Project
  • Credit Valley Conservation c/o Credit Valley Conservation Foundation: Controlling Dog Strangling Vine in the Forks of the Credit Centre for Biodiversity
  • Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters: Control and Outreach of Water Soldier in the Trent Severn Waterway
  • Kawartha Region Conservation Authority: McLarens Creek Fencing and Restoration Project
  • Kawartha Land Trust (KLT): Dance Nature Sanctuary Restoration Project
  • Catfish Creek Conservation Authority: Watershed Wetland Habitat Creation
  • Lower Thames Valley Conservation Authority: Ridge Head Water Core Enhancement
  • Grand River Conservation Foundation: New Forest in the City - invasive species removal/control