Protecting Our Environment

Trees and natural areas store carbon, reduce flooding, improve air quality, cool communities during heat waves, can increase crop yields, and provide critical wildlife habitat. Through partnerships between private landowners, Trees for Mapleton, Wellington County's Green Legacy Programme, the Grand River Conservation Authority, schools, community groups, and the Township, close to 4 million trees have been planted in the County since 2004!

The Trees for Mapleton W. Paul Day Forest Project brought together local landowners, volunteers, and the Township of Mapleton to plant 11,020 native trees between 2017 and 2024, surpassing its goal of planting one tree for every Mapleton resident!

From planting a tree in your backyard to establishing a windbreak, restoring a stream buffer, or naturalizing acreage, there are many incentives and expert supports available to help bring your project to life.

Smaller or Backyard Projects

For smaller tree-planting initiatives in Mapleton, Wellington County's Green Legacy Program provides a valuable source of trees, planting support, and community-based environmental stewardship opportunities.

The Green Legacy Program is an award-winning municipal tree-planting initiative, dedicated to increasing forest cover, enhancing biodiversity, and building climate resilience across local communities. Since 2004, the program has distributed more than 3 million trees through free seedling programs, community planting events, school education initiatives, volunteer opportunities, and two County-operated tree nurseries. Green Legacy also provides tree planting guidance and related supplies to help residents, organizations, and municipalities successfully grow and care for trees that will benefit the environment for generations to come.

Contact: Email: planninginfo@wellington.ca, Phone: 519.830.7306

Projects Over 2 Hectares (5 Acres)

The Grand River Conservation Authority (GRCA)

The GRCA Private Land Tree Planting Program helps rural landowners establish large-scale tree planting projects on private property within the Grand River watershed.

The program is intended for larger projects, including farm windbreaks, riparian buffers along watercourses, wildlife corridors, natural area restoration, block plantings, and living snow fences

A GRCA Forestry Specialist can visit your property and assess planting opportunities, develop a customized planting plan based on site conditions and your goals, recommend

suitable native tree species, assist with grant applications, and arrange contractor planting services if desired. Contact: Email: trees@grandriver.ca, Phone: 519-621-2761

Wetlands and healthy watersheds play a vital role in rural Ontario by reducing flood risks, improving water quality, recharging groundwater supplies, and providing essential habitat for fish and wildlife. As climate change increases the frequency and intensity of extreme rainfall events, these natural systems become even more important, helping communities adapt by absorbing and storing excess water, reducing erosion, and building resilience to droughts and floods.

In Wellington County, there are a number of excellent programs available for residents, landowners, and farmers to help protect and enhance the health of the watershed.

Wellington Rural Water Quality Program (WRWQP)

This is one of the strongest stewardship funding programs in Ontario. It provides financial and technical assistance to rural landowners and farmers implementing projects that improve water quality, soil health, wetlands, and aquatic habitat. The program is funded by Wellington County and delivered through local Conservation Authorities.

Eligible projects include stream and wetland buffers, tree planting, natural area restoration, livestock exclusion fencing, erosion control projects, cover crops, well decommissioning and upgrades, nutrient management initiatives, milk house washwater treatment systems, manure storage improvements, and stream bank stabilization. These agricultural stewardship projects help reduce nutrient and bacteria runoff, protect groundwater resources, and improve the health of local rivers, streams, and wetlands.

Funding available includes:

• Tree planting: up to 80% of costs plus performance incentives
• Natural area restoration: up to 80% of costs
• Exclusion fencing: 75% to 100% of costs
• Well abandonment: up to 100% of costs
• Manure storage and handling systems: 50% of eligible costs, up to $25,000. Manure storage decommissioning: 50% of eligible costs, up to $3,000.
• Milking center washwater treatment and disposal (milkhouse washwater): 50% of eligible costs, up to $5,000

Since 1999, the program has supported nearly 4,000 projects, planted over 1 million trees, established 81 km of stream and wetland buffers, and excluded livestock from over 50 km of waterways. The program has also helped farmers implement a wide range of water quality improvements, including upgrades to manure storage facilities and milk house management systems that reduce the risk of nutrient losses to surface water and groundwater.

Contact: Email ruralwater@grandriver.ca, Phone: 519-621-2763

Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC)

DUC is one of Canada's leading wetland conservation organizations and offers a range of programs, technical services, and incentives to help landowners protect and restore wetlands, improve water quality, enhance wildlife habitat, and increase climate resilience. In Ontario, DUC works directly with private landowners, farmers, conservation authorities, municipalities, and community partners to deliver wetland restoration and stewardship projects.

Programs, Services and Incentives

DUC may provide:

• Wetland restoration and enhancement projects
• Technical advice and site assessments for landowners
• Habitat management planning
• Conservation easements and land stewardship agreements
• Assistance accessing funding for habitat restoration
• Native shoreline and wetland buffer plantings
• Invasive species management support
• Nest box programs and wildlife habitat improvement projects
• Agricultural stewardship programs that balance farm productivity with environmental benefits

For eligible landowners, DUC often helps fund and coordinate small wetland restoration projects, including excavation, water retention features, native plantings, and habitat

enhancements. These projects improve flood mitigation, groundwater recharge, biodiversity, water quality, and climate resilience.

Contact: Email: ontario@ducks.ca, Phone: 1-888-402-4444

Healthy ecosystems depend on diverse plant and animal species. Climate change, habitat loss, and invasive species are increasing pressure on biodiversity across Ontario and Canada.

Resources

• Ontario Nature
• Pollinator Partnership Canada
• Nature Conservancy of Canada
• GRCA stewardship programs

Suggested Actions

• Plant native pollinator gardens.
• Reduce pesticide use.
• Preserve natural habitats.
• Install bird, bat, and pollinator habitat features.
• Report invasive species sightings.
• Participate in citizen science programs.

Agriculture is central to Wellington County's economy, with more than 2,600 farms and some of the province's most productive agricultural soils. Healthy soils improve resilience to drought and flooding, store carbon, and support long-term food production. Resources

• Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association
• Agricultural Climate Solutions Living Labs
• OMAFRA
• Wellington Federation of Agriculture

Suggested Actions

• Use cover crops and reduced tillage practices.
• Improve nutrient management.
• Protect riparian areas.
• Increase organic matter in soils.
• Plant shelterbelts and windbreaks.
• Support local farmers and food producers.

Strong local food systems improve food security, reduce transportation emissions, support local businesses, and enhance community resilience during disruptions.

Resources

• Wellington Federation of Agriculture
• Ontario Federation of Agriculture
• Local farmers' markets
• Community gardens and food organizations

Suggested Actions

• Buy locally produced food.
• Reduce food waste.
• Grow food at home or in community gardens.
• Support local food initiatives and food banks.
• Choose seasonal produce when possible.

Residential landscapes can support biodiversity, absorb stormwater, reduce urban heat, and create habitat while making properties more resilient to climate change.

Resources

• Reep Green Solutions
• Pollinator Partnership Canada
• Green Communities Canada

Suggested Actions

• Replace portions of lawn with native plants.
• Install rain gardens.
• Add shade trees.
• Compost yard and food waste.
• Reduce outdoor water use.
• Create pollinator habitat.

Protecting the environment requires collective action from individuals, community groups, businesses, farmers, and local governments.

Resources

• Wellington County Climate Change and Sustainability Division
• Local environmental organizations
• Conservation authorities
• Community volunteer programs

Suggested Actions

• Volunteer for local restoration projects.
• Participate in community clean-ups.
• Join stewardship groups.
• Support environmental policies and initiatives.
• Share knowledge and encourage others to take action.
• Participate in public consultations and planning processes.

Protecting the environment starts close to home. Whether it's planting trees, restoring wetlands, supporting local food production, creating pollinator habitat, or participating in community stewardship projects, every action helps strengthen Wellington County's ecosystems and resilience to climate change. By working together, we can protect biodiversity, improve water quality, support sustainable agriculture, and leave a healthier environment for future generations.