GROW Trust funds watershed district projects
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This article was published 06/11/2020 (940 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
In October of last year, the provincial government announced the creation of the Growing Outcomes in Watersheds (GROW) Trust.
This made-in-Manitoba initiative provides annual incentive payments to eligible farmers who retain, restore or enhance natural areas that provide ecological benefits. Over $5.6 million has been allocated this year to GROW and Conservation Trust projects throughout the province.
The next round of funding is now available, with up to $8.6 million available for successful applicants. To date, 20 projects have been approved for funding across all 14 watershed districts of Manitoba.
The GROW initiative supports Manitoba’s ambitious climate and green plan. These projects fall in line with the government’s mission to improve water management and support conservation and restoration activities. GROW is delivered through Manitoba’s watershed districts, and focuses on improving watershed resilience. Its programs are proposed by watershed districts throughout Manitoba, and are reviewed by the Manitoba Habitat Heritage Corporation’s technical advisory team. Final approval for projects is then given by the MHHC’s board of directors.
Our government values the work of the MHHC board and, under the leadership of executive officer Tim Sopuck, these important projects are moving forward to mitigate the impacts of droughts and flooding, as well as improve overall water quality.
Each local GROW program is tailored to local watershed priorities and will therefore vary across Manitoba. Projects may include small water retention structures, wetland and grassland restoration, shoreline area management along lakes and rivers, soil health improvements, and shelterbelt development. The projects celebrate the co-operative decision-making between landowners, municipalities and watershed districts.
Premier Brian Pallister and I had the opportunity to see GROW’s potential on the ground over the summer, when we viewed projects in the Pembina Valley watershed district and the Souris River watershed district. These GROW projects will result in over 900 acres of protected wetlands, new water retention structures, several kilometres of new riparian fencing and over 1,500 acres of a protected riparian area.
In total, $500,000 in GROW Trust funding has been allocated to the Pembina Valley district and $440,000 has been allocated for the Souris River watershed district.
Other examples, just to name a few, of GROW projects within the province include GROWing EG&S in the Seine Rat and Roseau watershed district, the advancing landscape resiliency project within the Inter-Mountain watershed district, the Whitemud watershed 2020-21 GROW Program and the Farming the Best – Conserving the Rest program within the Central Assiniboine watershed district. Each of these mentioned projects is receiving $500,000 in GROW Trust funding.
The GROW initiative continues to demonstrate your government’s commitment in preserving and restoring Manitoba’s unique and precious natural areas.
Check with your local watershed district to develop a project specific to your landscape. Congratulations and thank you to all 14 watershed districts for their expertise in enhancing Manitoba’s natural advantages.
The next intake for projects is now open. To apply, visit the Manitoba Habitat Heritage Corporation website at www.mhhc.mb.ca
Blaine Pedersen
Midland constituency report
Blaine Pedersen is the PC MLA for Midland.