Historic Grant Helps Landowners and the Environment The St. Clair Region Conservation Authority (SCRCA) launched its Sydenham Phosphorus Reduction Initiative (SPRI) in December 2025, thanks to a historic investment of $7.85 million over four years from the Canada Water Agency. Landowners can apply through SPRI for funding and educa - tional opportunities to implement or enhance agricultural best management practices (BMPs) on their properties. BMPs such as windbreaks, cover crops, and wetland resto - ration play a critical role in minimizing phosphorus losses to waterways. They also help reduce soil erosion, protect wa - ter quality, increase crop yields, and potentially decrease the need for fertilizer, among other benefits. “SPRI is a substantial investment in supporting the efforts of our local producers and rural landowners as they work to build soil resiliency for both the benefit of water quality and for sustainably supporting future crop yields,” shares Jessica Van Zwol, Healthy Watershed Coordinator at SCRCA. “I’m excited that we have this opportunity to support our local ag- ricultural community, many of whom have already adopted several BMPs in their farm management.” For more information, visit www.sydenhamriver.on.ca/steward - ship/healthy-watersheds-program/spri or contact Jessica at jvanzwol@scrca.on.ca or 519-245-3710, ext. 241 or Lisa McNeill, Agricultural Stewardship Technician at lmcneill@scrca.on.ca or 519-245-3710, ext. 125.
An aerial view of the Crump Family Farm demonstrates the power of stacking Best Management Practices (BMPs) to reduce phosphorus losses. By combining tiered settling ponds, a grassed waterway, cover crops, and tree planting, this farm showcases a multi-layered ap- proach to sediment and erosion control, supporting both agricultural productivity and water quality. Photo courtesy of ALUS Middlesex
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Jan/Feb 2025 Page 13
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