Four spots remain for Talbot River Healthy Environment Initiative

November 3, 2022 – Four opportunities remain for farmers and farm property owners in the Talbot River subwatershed to complete fully funded projects, up to $12,000 each, leading to an improvement between the land and rivers or streams on their property.

The Talbot River subwatershed is a large area situated mostly within Ward 1 in Kawartha Lakes. Kirkfield makes up the middle of the subwatershed, with areas to the north and east of Bolsover, east of the Cardon Alvar Provincial Park, south of Head Lake and west of Corsons.

“We’ve had a lot of interest from the agricultural community in this area of Kawartha Lakes who want to undertake projects that ultimately support healthy lakes, rivers and streams,” explained Landowner and Community Support, Danielle Marcoux-Hunter. “There are only four opportunities remaining, that can help landowners, particularly farmers, undertake impactful work on their properties.”

With support from the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA), Kawartha Conservation is funding up to 100% of project costs – to a maximum of $12,000 – to implement these healthy environment initiative projects. Along with financial support, Kawartha Conservation will provide all administration and implementation support.

Eligible project types can include tree and shrub planting, building livestock exclusion fencing, installing alternate watering systems and more.

“We would love to work with farmers interested in planting windrows adjacent to watercourses, that will help prevent wind and soil erosion, as well as control and filter stormwater runoff,” explained Marcoux-Hunter. “Creating a barrier to separate livestock from watercourses can also have a huge, beneficial impact, or installing solar pumps, watering troughs and other watering methods alternatives that eliminate livestock from accessing watercourses.”

The Talbot River Healthy Environment Initiative is a great opportunity for farmers in the specified area to receive demonstration projects on their property that ultimately support their own operations, their neighbours, their friends, their families and the entire watershed area.

“We have heard from the agricultural community loud and clear, and we’re excited to be able to provide the time and money that often limits landowners from undertaking these meaningful projects” said Marcoux-Hunter. “I encourage those farmers interested in submitting their project ideas or receiving more information to reach out soon.”

Kawartha Conservation has already launched one project that will see nearly a kilometer of creek protected as it runs through an agricultural property, by reducing runoff and the amount of contaminants entering the creek.

“Through our Integrated Watershed Management department, we know that phosphorus levels have been steadily increasing, and the aim of the Healthy Environment Initiative is to reduce, overtime, the amounts of contaminants entering watercourses in the subwatershed and ultimately reducing the total phosphorus,” said Marcoux-Hunter. “This program will allow us to collaborate with our agricultural community to make a positive impact for the future.”

To learn more about the Talbot River Healthy Environment Initiative or to submit your project idea, visit www.kawarthaconservation.com/healthytalbot.