Ontario farmers play a vital role in protecting biodiversity across the province’s agricultural landscape. Through the Species at Risk Partnerships on Agricultural Lands (SARPAL) program, producers have the opportunity to implement stewardship practices that support wildlife recovery while improving habitat resilience on their farms.
Administered by the Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association (OSCIA), SARPAL is funded by Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) and focuses on helping producers contribute directly to the recovery of 12 target species at risk. These include grassland birds, pollinators, and other wildlife that depend on working agricultural lands.
What the SARPAL Program Supports
SARPAL provides cost‑share funding for on‑farm habitat creation, enhancement, and protection. Eligible best management practices (BMPs) include:
- Tree and shrub planting
- In‑field perennial grass strip establishment
- Wetland restoration
- Grassland restoration
- Cross‑fencing for rotational grazing
- Livestock exclusion fencing
- Delayed haying to protect nesting birds
These practices help maintain critical habitat while integrating seamlessly with many existing farm operations.
To participate, applicants must:
- Be actively farming or own actively farmed land in Ontario
- Have a validated 4th Edition Environmental Farm Plan (EFP)
- Submit a complete application during an official intake window [ontariosoilcrop.org]
For the 2026 program cycle, OSCIA has confirmed the intake opens March 10, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. ET
The intake window is normally short, so it is important to prepare materials—such as EFP verification and project plans—well in advance.
Related SARPAL Opportunities: Targeted Tree & Shrub Planting Intake
A separate tree and shrub planting–focused SARPAL intake opens November 26, 2024 at 9:00 a.m. ET and remains open until the budget is fully allocated. This intake supports both late‑2024 and spring 2025 planting projects, with special requirements for 2025 plantings, such as working with an approved Planting Delivery Agent.
Farm businesses must have an EFP to apply, and approved applicants enter into a Conservation Agreement with ECCC to ensure the long‑term stewardship of supported habitat.
Why SARPAL Matters for Small Farms
Smaller-scale farms often maintain diverse landscapes—fencerows, grasslands, woodlots, and wetlands—that are essential habitats for species at risk. Programs like SARPAL help producers:
- Offset the cost of stewardship practices
- Improve ecological resilience
- Contribute to the recovery of threatened species
- Enhance long‑term sustainability and land health
For livestock and mixed farms in particular, habitat‑supportive practices such as improved grazing systems and delayed haying can yield operational benefits while supporting wildlife.
How to Prepare for the Next Intake
Given SARPAL’s narrow application window, Ontario farmers should begin preparing early:
- Ensure your Environmental Farm Plan is up to date.
- Identify projects that align with species at risk habitat needs.
- Gather documentation, such as farm business registration details and property assessment information.
- Monitor OSCIA’s program guide and subscribe to updates for intake announcements.
Farmers can find application guides, resources, and updates directly through OSCIA.