Guest speakers, workshops, tours, demonstration projects - if they're agri-environmental in nature, they may be eligible for funding under a new South Nation Conservation sponsorship program through Dec. 31 of this year.

PHOTO CREDIT - Nation.on.ca

Finch - Oct. 10, 2011 - Guest speakers, workshops, tours, demonstration projects - if they're agri-environmental in nature, they may be eligible for funding under a new South Nation Conservation sponsorship program through Dec. 31 of this year.

Managed by SNC's Clean Water Committee (CWC), each successful application could be granted up to $500 while funds last. Agricultural organizations within the South Nation watershed are invited to apply no later than Dec. 1; for additional information, check with sponsorship coordinator Ronda Boutz at RBoutz@nation.on.ca.

SNC already operates a successful separate program which provides up to $500 per application to festivals and other events which bring attention to the many attributes of the South Nation River and its tributaries.

"The CWC sponsorship is strictly for environmental outreach and education," said committee chairman Denis Perrault. "It's a companion initiative to our Clean Water Program (CWP) which every year partners with property owners to reduce pollution in the watershed."

This season, 32 applications were reviewed under the CWP, with $40,000 allocated on a 50-50 basis to 14 projects which included septic system replacements, livestock watercourse fencing, manure and milkhouse wastewater storages, fuel storages, and well decommissioning. The largest amount approved was $8,000 in the Spencerville area for a subsurface constructed wetland for milkhouse wastewater treatment.

All CWP applications are peer reviewed and peer inspected. As for the sponsorship program, funded projects must provide credit to SNC for its participation, display the SNC banner and information, take part in a press release announcing SNC sponsorship, and provide SNC with a summary of the outcome of the project.