Nature Smart Climate Readiness Program

• Detailed site map based on a satellite image.
• Letter of support or planning document from a qualified third party.
• Completed application form with project costs and bid.

Who is eligible?

• Ontario farm businesses.
• Farm businesses owning farmland in Ontario.
• Farm businesses proposing projects on farmland they own.

Who is not eligible

• Businesses that do not own farmland in Ontario.
• Applicants who do not own the project land.
• Projects involving land used for grazing or agricultural production.

Eligible expenses

• Third-party planning, design, engineering, and technical support.
• Site preparation, excavation, earthwork, equipment rental, and maintenance.
• Planting, specialized planting equipment, and livestock exclusion fencing.
• Permits, erosion control, ditch plugs, and water crossing improvements.
• In-kind labour and opportunity costs for land taken out of production.

Ineligible Costs and Activities

• Irrigation ponds, landscaping, and biofilters.
• Fencing not tied to livestock exclusion.
• Grazing areas or land accessed by livestock.
• Harvest-related vegetation establishment and invasive species planting.
• Travel, meals, accommodations, land purchase, and financing-related costs.

Eligible geographic areas

• Ontario

• Potential to sequester carbon and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
• Ecological benefits and overall project value per funding requested.
• Site characteristics such as soil carbon content, vegetation type, landscape connectivity, and area impacted.
• Enhancements that increase carbon storage, such as livestock exclusion or planting on erosion-prone areas.

• Step 1: Review the program guide and application requirements
  • Read the full Nature Smart guide.
  • Check the intake dates and confirm the project category.
• Step 2: Complete the application form
  • Download the appropriate application form during an open intake.
  • Provide project costs, funding request, and site details.
• Step 3: Gather supporting documents
  • Prepare the required site map and third-party support document.
  • Include all information listed in the application requirements.
• Step 4: Submit the application
  • Send the application by email or by post to OSCIA.
  • Submit only during the official intake period.

• Applications are reviewed only during intake periods.
• Applications are assessed competitively against other submissions.
• Written approval is sent by email if funding is allocated.
• A signed Conservation Agreement is required before payment is issued.
• Projects may be inspected during the 10-year agreement and funding may need to be repaid if conditions are not maintained.

• A Conservation Agreement is required before payment.
• Projects are subject to inspection during the agreement period.
• Nature Smart funding cannot be used for federal or provincial carbon credit programs during the agreement term.