Role in the Funding Ecosystem
The Souris River Watershed District acts as a regional funding intermediary, distributing provincial and federal conservation funds to landowners within the Souris River Watershed in southwestern Manitoba. The organization serves as the primary point of contact for agricultural funding programs in the region, channeling resources from Manitoba's Climate and Green Plan initiatives directly to local landholders.
Funding Programs Offered
SRWD administers several major funding streams:
- Prairie Watershed Climate Program (PWCP): Supports Nitrogen Management, Rotational Grazing, and Cover Cropping practices. Eligible applicants can receive up to $15,000 annually. Funding covers activities like cover crop seeding ($35/acre), fencing and watering systems (85% of costs up to $18,000), soil testing (85% up to $2,500), and equipment upgrades.
- GROW Program (GRowing Outcomes in Watersheds): A Manitoba-wide initiative focused on watershed health and resilience. Includes wetland conservation payments, riparian area restoration, and upland management with annual payments to landowners.
- General Conservation Programs: Include shelterbelt establishment, well water testing, grassed waterways, pollinator habitat, stone crossings, alternate watering systems, hay and forage seed, saline seed remediation, gully erosion repair, bank stabilization, and water retention structures.
Eligibility Criteria
To qualify for SRWD funding, applicants must be landowners within the Rural Municipalities of Boissevain-Morton, Brenda-Waskada, Deloraine-Winchester, Grassland, Pipestone, Sifton, Souris-Glenwood, Two Borders, or Wallace-Woodworth. Some programs require a valid Environmental Farm Plan.
Governance and History
SRWD was formed on January 1, 2020 through the merger of the West Souris River Conservation District (established 1995) and the Turtle Mountain Conservation District (established 1978). The district operates under Manitoba's Conservation Districts Act and is a member of the Manitoba Association of Watersheds.
