More funding available for water quality protection

The Shuswap Watershed Council (SWC) has allocated more funding to its Water Quality Grant Program to help farms and landowners protect and improve water quality. 

At their meeting on December 13, SWC members voted unanimously to increase the grant program budget from $55,000 to $65,000. The increase will help farms, landowners, stewards and other eligible grant applicants cope with rising project costs. 

“Last year, our grant program was over-subscribed,” says Erin Vieira, Program Manager for the SWC. “The SWC approved an increase to the grant budget which means we can support more watershed restoration projects and support projects larger in scope, to have greater impact protecting and improving water quality in the Shuswap.”

Vieira says the grant program has a particular focus on reducing nutrient inputs from the landscape to rivers and lakes. That’s because excessive amounts of nutrients, especially phosphorus, contribute to algal blooms which reduce the quality of water for drinking and recreation and may become toxic to people, pets, and livestock. The grant program is geared toward helping farms and other land stewards undertake projects or implement new practices to improve nutrient management and soil health.

Up to $65,000 is available in the current intake, which is open until January 31, 2024. Farmers, agri-businesses, hobby farmers, landowners and stewardship groups within the Shuswap watershed are invited to apply. Successful applicants will receive funding as early as April 2024.

Prospective applicants are encouraged to register for a free informative webinar that SWC staff are facilitating on January 10 via Zoom. For more information about the grant program, to apply for funding, or to register for the webinar visit the SWC website, www.shuswapwater.ca or contact SWC staff.

Republished courtesy of the Shuswap Watershed Council