Due to the huge success of Perth County’s inaugural stewardship program, the agricultural working group will be recommending that its funding be increased to $100,000 next year.
According to a report headed to county council this Thursday, the program was over-subscribed by over $26,000 this year. There was $75,000 available and $101,447.15 was requested by 45 applicants.
Thirty-nine of those applications were supported and nearly 15,000 trees were planted through the program.
Applications were scored based on evaluation criteria developed by staff, with top-ranking application receiving grant funds first.
Due to the significant over-subscription to the program, lower scoring applications received less grant funds or were deemed ineligible based on the scope of the project.
Council has committed to increasing the funds year-over-year, so more grant streams may be included in the future.
Environment and Climate Change Canada call for a minimum forest cover threshold of 30 per cent. In 2022, the county’s sub-watersheds ranged from 4.7 per cent to 17 per cent forest cover, with nine per cent being the average.
