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Resilient Agricultural Landscape Program (RALP)
If you own agricultural land in Durham Region and wish to conduct Best Management Practices on your farm, up to 100% funding is available for eligible projects*, including:
Tree Planting
Wetland Restoration
Grassland Restoration
Pollinator Strips
Pollinator Intercropping
*Landowners will require an Environmental Farm Plan. Services may vary across region.
About RALP
Durham Region and its five local Conservation Authorities—Central Lake Ontario, Ganaraska Region, Kawartha, Lake Simcoe Region, and Toronto and Region —have collaborated to form RALP, a subsidized farmland enhancement program for agricultural landowners.
Approximately 47% of Durham Region is active agricultural land. Recognising the importance of supporting enhancements of these privately owned lands, RALP offers up to 100% subsidies for environmental improvements that increase crop yields through erosion reduction, salinity management, and pollination enhancement, or provide natural shelter for livestock while contributing to a more resilient climate-ready future.
Funding for this program comes from the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership, Durham Region, conservation partners, the Province of Ontario, and the Government of Canada.
Durham Region
R.A.L.P.
R
RESILIENT, to mitigate the impacts of climate change.
A
AGRICULTURAL,
focusing on a more productive and sustainable future.
L
LANDSCAPE, a healthy future for the surrounding community.
P
PROGRAM, up to 100% subsidies available.
What will my project(s) look like?
The opportunities for enhancement will be unique to each property. Here are some examples:
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Strip planting of perennial cover to create grassed waterways or to manage salinity within a field (includes terraces and farmable berms).
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Converting marginal land to permanent grassland.
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Creation or widening of buffers (trees or shrubs) in agricultural fields adjacent to surface water sources, as well as other actions to protect existing riparian areas such as reshaping of edges and fields.
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Establishing pollinator strips or other perennial cover for pollinator habitat or other biodiversity purposes in fields or field margins of existing cropland (area planted with high-value plants that pollinators like).
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Establishing shelterbelts of farmyards, livestock facilities, and fields as well as intercropping with trees on annual cropland.
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Planting of trees or shrubs on marginal land.
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Wetland restoration or construction of new wetlands.
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Creation of water retention ponds.
The Program
Does my property qualify?
All projects must occur on farmland. Recipients must have a 5th edition Environmental Farm Plan or be working towards completing one. Your Conservation Authority can assist with this if it is not yet in place. Farmland properties can qualify for multiple project types, and individual projects can occur in more than one location on the same property.
If you qualify, the finalized Land-Use Agreement will include 10-years of maintenance for each project.
*If you don’t qualify for the RALP program, contact us anyway to see what other programs are available or check out Durham TREES.
Financial incentives
The Program offers up to 100% of funding for eligible projects, including full services through project completion and ongoing tending.
With over 50 years of planting and stewardship experience, our professionally trained staff will help you every step of the way: from funding assistance, to planning and planting, to tending to your project(s).
What's in it for you ?
Depending on the project(s) you qualify for, these enhancements may increase crop yields; increase property value;
provide an opportunity to qualify for a property tax reduction of up to 75% with the Managed Forest Tax Incentive Program; increase privacy; reduce maintenance; protect and improve water quality in streams and
ponds on your property; transform open fields into forests; create habitat for pollinators, birds and other wildlife; offer a healthier Durham Region through your contribution to the natural environment.
How Does it Work?
If you live in Durham Region, you live within one of five jurisdictions managed by a Conservation Authority. Using the Program mapping tool (accessed by clicking the 'Dig in!' button below), enter your address in the 'Search' field to identify your Conservation Authority. Complete the online form and your Conservation Authority will contact you to discuss your RALP opportunities.
Funding Partners
