Deadline: 7-Apr-25
The City of Nanaimo has launched the Community Watershed Restoration Grant Program to assist property owners and organizations in supporting the City of Nanaimo’s City Plan goals and Environmental Responsibility objectives by providing annual funding to support community restoration projects.
Strategic Priorities
- The City’s strategic funding priorities for the Community Watershed Restoration Grant should be aligned with the Green Goals as identified in City Plan and its Integrated Action Plan projects and programs.
- The green goals identified in City Plan include:
- Watershed Protection (e.g. projects that protect/enhance or restore the riparian environments, sustainably manage stormwater (including daylighting piped systems), recognize the natural capital value of a wetland, river or other watercourses, and/or improve the water quality and fish habitats in City rivers, lakes, and wetlands.
- Urban Tree Canopy, Natural Areas, and Greenways (e.g. projects that protect and/or enhance the City’s natural environment including the urban tree canopy, marine foreshore, environmentally sensitive areas, nature parks, and green corridors).
- Climate Adaptation (e.g. projects that support people, the environment, buildings, and/or infrastructure adapting to the impacts of climate change).
- All projects should also support the “Environmental Responsibility” theme within the City’s Strategic Plan including projects that “will protect and enhance Nanaimo’s natural environment by looking after the community’s biological diversity and adapt the way they live, work, recreate, and move.”
Funding Information
- Total of $20,000 in funding will be available in 2025.
Eligible Activities
- Grant funding may be used to support the following project expenses:
- Project planning and design studies completed by a qualified professional including but not limited environmental assessments, restoration plans, site plan or surveys, landscape plans, slope/erosion stabilization study, and/or an archeological assessment.
- Plant and landscape material purchase and installation
- Disposal costs (e.g. bins to store and dispose of invasive material, waste removal, landfill fees)
- Construction equipment rental and labor costs
Eligibility Criteria
- Funding will be available annually to community organizations, environmental non-profits, and individual residents to provide financial support for community watershed restoration project and related eligible activities.
- Organizations and individuals applying for funding must be based in Nanaimo and/or be proposing a project that primarily serves Nanaimo residents. Eligible applicants include:
- Individual property owners (proof of ownership required) who own property that includes or is adjacent to a watercourse or other environmentally sensitive area where they wish to do environmental restoration or enhancement work that is not required as a condition of a development approval;
- A non-profit society incorporated under the BC Provincial Societies Act or federally designated as a registered charity;
- A recognized religious group with ongoing activities and a congregation; and
- A neighborhood association recognized by the City of Nanaimo.
Ineligibility Criteria
- Ineligible Organizations
- Groups, organizations, or individuals with outstanding balances owed to the City of Nanaimo.
- Groups, organizations, or individuals that are subject to active enforcement with the City of Nanaimo or not in good standing with the City of Nanaimo, Federal, or Provincial Governments.
- Organizations or individuals may not be eligible for Community Environment Grant funding if they have received other funding assistance through the City of Nanaimo within the same grant year period.
For more information, visit City of Nanaimo.