Help restore your watershed with the Ontario Community Environment Fund – 10 days left to submit an application

Ontario uses penalties collected from environmental violations to fund community projects that restore and protect the environment.

Not-for-profit organizations, First Nations and Métis communities, municipalities, schools, colleges, universities, and conservation authorities can get government grants for local projects in their watersheds.

This year, $209,000 from the Ontario Community Environment Fund (OCEF) will be shared among 13 watersheds across the province where environmental penalties were collected.

 Past projects have successfully restored riverbanks by planting native trees and plants, helped protect the Great Lakes from invasive species, improved fish and wildlife habitat, and helped improve air quality and fight climate change in communities across Ontario.

 The deadline to submit an application is May 25th, 2017 at 5:00 PM. It is expected that applicants will be notified in fall, 2017.

For more information, please email ocef@ontario.ca or call the Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change Public Information Centre:

  • 1-800-565-4923 (toll-free)
  • 1-800-515-2759  (TTY/Teletypewriter, for people with hearing disabilities)

Get Involved!

From tree plantings and clean ups, to advocacy and education programs, CLICK HERE to find out how you can be involved with protecting and enhancing the Detroit River.