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Wetlands Conservation Partner Program
Wetland restoration capital funding
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Funding available
$ 200,000
Location
Ontario, Canada
Overview
The Wetlands Conservation Partner Program has provided nearly $41 million in capital funding across Ontario for municipal governments, conservation authorities and their foundations, conservation organizations, and Indigenous communities to restore and enhance wetlands. It supports projects that improve wetland function, prevent flooding, strengthen resilience, and improve water quality.
Receipt of requests is now closed
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At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Increase social or community impact
- Implement environmental initiatives
- Reduce environmental footprint
Eligible Funding
- Minimum amount : 200,000 $
Funds Providers
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Location
- Ontario
Legal structures
- Non-profit
- Public or Parapublic institution
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- Indigenous Peoples
Non-profit candidates
Sector of operation
- Environment
Target groups
- Indigenous peoples
- Nonprofits / charities
- Community leaders
Revenue structures
- All structures
Scope
- Regional
- Provincial
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
Availability timeline
2026
Periods: 1
Activities funded
- Wetland restoration projects
- Wetland enhancement projects
- Projects that improve wetland functionality and connectivity
- Projects that mitigate stormwater impacts and improve shoreline resiliency
Documents Needed
- Completed application form through Transfer Payment Ontario
- Completed work plan
- Detailed project budget using the WCPP Budget Calculator
- Signed matching contribution letters
- Supporting materials and any available permits or approvals
Sources and recorded changes
- Source change captured
- Change recorded
- Record updated
A captured source change or record update does not confirm eligibility. Check the funder’s current rules before applying.
Wetlands program eligibility and intake details updated
The Wetlands Conservation Partner Program page now shows a shorter applicant summary, removes the application instructions and deadline, and updates the funding context to nearly $41 million with the most recent intake in 2025 and completions in 2026.
The Wetlands Conservation Partner Program page has been streamlined: the detailed who-can-apply rules and eligibility conditions were replaced by a brief statement that eligible applicants included municipal governments, conservation authorities and their foundations, conservation organizations, and Indigenous communities. The page also removed the application instructions, Transfer Payment Ontario registration steps, and the October 8, 2025 deadline, while the overview now says the most recent intake took place in 2025 and funded projects are scheduled for completion in 2026. The funding summary now says the program has provided nearly $41 million in capital funding since 2020, replacing the earlier $31 million total and $9.6 million available for new projects.
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Municipal governments
- Conservation authorities and their foundations
- Conservation organizations
- Indigenous communities
Eligible expenses
- Materials and supplies needed for the project
- Third-party services and contractors
- Project staff wages and mandatory benefits
- Consulting services, such as engineering or landscape design
- Equipment or capital item rental, and some approved purchases
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- Fundraising and lobbying
- Overhead and non-project costs
- Accommodation, hospitality, food, and beverages
- Costs incurred before the transfer payment agreement takes effect
- Land purchase, easements, donations, feasibility studies, and new wetlands where none previously existed
Eligible geographic areas
- Ontario
- Great Lakes coastal wetlands, including Areas of Concern
- Ecoregions 6E and 7E
Selection criteria
- Alignment with program objectives
- Environmental benefits and long-term impact
- Project design, workplan clarity, and feasibility
- Expertise, matching contributions, and value for money
How to apply
- Step 1: Review the application guidelines
- Read the 2025 Wetlands Conservation Partner Program Application Guidelines.
- Step 2: Register on Transfer Payment Ontario
- Create a My Ontario Account if needed.
- Register for Transfer Payment Ontario and wait for access.
- Step 3: Prepare the application package
- Download and complete the application form and supporting materials.
- Prepare the work plan, budget, and signed matching contribution letters.
- Step 4: Submit the application online
- Submit the completed application through the Transfer Payment Ontario portal.
Processing and Agreement
- Applications are screened for completeness and eligibility.
- Complete applications are reviewed through a multi-staged assessment process.
- Applicants are notified of the decision by email.
- Successful applicants must sign a transfer payment agreement before any payment is made.
- Payments are made after milestones and required reporting are approved.
Additional information
- Applicants must have completed at least two similar projects in the past five years.
- Successful applicants must enter into a transfer payment agreement before funding is paid.
- Projects may require permits, approvals, or landowner permission before work can begin.
- Recipients must acknowledge Ontario government funding in the form specified in the agreement.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the Wetlands Conservation Partner Program Program
What is the Wetlands Conservation Partner Program?
The Wetlands Conservation Partner Program has provided nearly $41 million in capital funding across Ontario for municipal governments, conservation authorities and their foundations, conservation organizations, and Indigenous communities to restore and enhance wetlands. It supports projects that improve wetland function, prevent flooding, strengthen resilience, and improve water quality.
Who is eligible for the Wetlands Conservation Partner Program program?
To be eligible for the Wetlands Conservation Partner Program program, you must:
Legal entity
Two similar projects in 5 years
Capital project in eligible area
What expenses are eligible under Wetlands Conservation Partner Program?
Materials and supplies needed for the project
Third-party services and contractors
Project staff wages and mandatory benefits
Consulting services, such as engineering or landscape design
Equipment or capital item rental, and some approved purchases
Who can I contact for more information about the Wetlands Conservation Partner Program?
You can contact Ontario Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks by email at glo@ontario.ca or by phone at 647-808-8253.
Where is the Wetlands Conservation Partner Program available?
The Wetlands Conservation Partner Program program is available the province of Ontario.
Is the Wetlands Conservation Partner Program a grant, loan, or tax credit?
Wetlands Conservation Partner Program is a Grant and Funding
Who are the financial supporters of the Wetlands Conservation Partner Program?
Wetlands Conservation Partner Program is funded by Ontario Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks