Positively Green is a climate resiliency program that will transform the health of Greenbelt forests, wetlands, grasslands, rivers and lakes to provide unparalleled environmental services and benefit 9.2 million residents.
A collaboration with 13 conservation authorities, Positively Green advances shovel-ready natural infrastructure projects. 100+ priority actions have been identified across the Greenbelt. Positively Green is an evidence-based program, the effectiveness and cost / benefits of natural solutions will be measured and shared to support greater investments in building climate resiliency. Individual projects will build a constituency of support for protection and investments in natural infrastructure.
Positively Green’s natural climate resiliency actions focus on:
- Reducing stormwater runoff / flood risk
- Protecting water quality and quantity
- Enhancing cooling effect and corridors
- Increasing biodiversity and healthy soils
- Enhancing greenspace quality and access
Year 1 Funding Objectives
Positively Green is part of the Foundation’s Resilient Greenbelt Funding Program.
Year 1 Funding Focus: Restoration Priorities Related to Flood Attenuation / Natural Flood Management
Flooding is the costliest and most disruptive impact of climate change on Canadian communities. Natural assets in the Greenbelt and adjacent near-urban lands provide low cost, durable solutions to help communities across the Greater Golden Horseshoe reduce flood risks and vulnerabilities and support local climate change plans.
Year 1 funding will support a limited number (~ 3) of signature Positively Green actions that reinforce the critical and irreplaceable role of natural infrastructure in the Greenbelt and adjacent lands in flood attenuation and management. Applicants should consider how to measure / support the business case for natural infrastructure. Restoration co-benefits such as increasing habitat connectivity and wildlife movement are also important to identify. Proposed activities can be nested within a larger, long-term project. Projects will:
- Enhance natural assets within the Greenbelt and adjacent near-urban lands to reduce flooding, increase infiltration and strengthen climate resiliency.
- Provide evidence of the effectiveness and return on investment of natural infrastructure to local governments and communities.
- Provide co-climate resiliency benefits to the public e.g. increasing natural cover and connectivity, reducing nutrient loading to rivers and lakes or enhancing access to greenspace.
- Build a constituency of support through project partnerships including municipal and other levels of government.
- Share project results to increase knowledge and use of the Greenbelt’s natural infrastructure to strengthen climate resiliency across the region.
Project Examples
- Restore / create wetlands to directly reduce flooding and future climate risk to downstream communities and natural habitats
- Replace inadequate online ponds by naturalizing adjacent areas into floodplain / riparian areas to improve management of stormwater runoff and the impact of increasingly intense rain events
- Significantly increase the size and water infiltration capacity of local forests to reduce stormwater flows into local creeks / rivers
- Enhance riparian areas with significant erosion problems to stabilize streambanks and reduce peak flows into local creeks / rivers
Apply for Funding
Eligibility: Funding Program is open to Positively Green’s 13 partnering Conservation Authorities
Application Deadline: Friday, February 21, 2020 at 4:00pm
Limitations: One project proposal per Conservation Authority
Funding Decision: March 10, 2020
Project Timeline: Proposed activities must be completed by December 2020
Submitting an Application
Applications are submitted online using the Foundation's grant portal.
First Step: All new applicants must first take an eligibility quiz. Once this step is completed, you can register your organization. Foundation staff will notify each applicant once your registration is approved.
Interim Step: Applicants must next provide the information requested on your organization and personnel, project title, budget and project start and end dates. Once completed, Foundation staff will provide applicants with access to the full funding application.
Final Step: Applicants must complete and submit your full funding proposals. The Foundation’s Grant Guidelines can be viewed HERE.
We encourage all potential applicants to discuss their projects with Foundation staff before submitting their funding requests. Please contact [email protected] and (416) 960-0001 ext. 308 to schedule a call with the Grants team.
This project has received funding support from the Government of Ontario. Such support does not indicate endorsement by the Government of Ontario of the contents of this material.