Environmental Trust Fund

The Environmental Trust Fund supports projects focused on protecting, preserving and enhancing the province’s natural environment. Proposals should focus on one of three areas:  

• Protecting our environment: Conservation projects or research focused on water, air, coastlines and wetlands.  
• Managing our waste: Activities supporting waste reduction and management activities, like raising awareness on household organics disposal alternatives, discouraging illegal dumping and community clean-up projects.  
• Addressing climate change: Projects and initiatives in response to climate change and its impacts, like local adaptation plans, nature-based solutions, research on climate impacts, etc.

Note: Many submissions may fit into more than one priority area. When applying, choose up to two priority areas and measures that are most relevant to the project.

Projects will be considered and evaluated based on the priority measures and the priority areas. Initiatives that align best with these measures will be given funding priority.  

• 2026-2027 ETF Priority Areas (PDF 44 KB) 
• Priority Areas Measures (PDF 95 KB)
• ETF award list

The fund supports projects led by: 

• regional service commissions* (see note below)
• First Nations 
• institutions furthering sustainable development  
• local governments
• non-profit organizations 

*Regional service commissions are eligible for a maximum of 50% of total project costs.

• an application can be saved and resumed later by using the "Save and Exit" button (an email will be sent to the provided address with a link to resume the application) 
• if any information is missing, leave that field blank and come back to it later 
• an application can be edited until the "Submit" button is clicked 
• before clicking "Submit" on the application, save a copy by clicking "Print", which will give the option to print or save as a PDF to your desktop 
• once an application is submitted, it cannot be edited using this site 
• Standard ETF contract conditions (publication) 

Certain projects will require licences or permits to undertake all or part of the activity. It is the applicant’s responsibility to: 

• identify and obtain the licences or permits required 
• indicate that the project will comply with municipal, provincial and federal regulatory conditions 

It is important to begin obtaining the necessary license or permit as early as possible, as reviewing and securing supporting licenses can take a significant amount of time. For instance, applications for a Watercourse and Wetland Alteration Permit should be submitted at least two months before the intended start date to ensure enough time for review. 

Actual costs up to, but not exceeding, the approved amount for eligible projects are reimbursed. The letter of offer sent to successful projects explains reimbursement, time frames and other procedures. The letter acts as a contractual agreement between the recipient and the provincial government. 

Funding is for expenses within the fiscal year (April 1 to March 31) in the year they are announced. Multi-year projects will need to re-apply each year for funding. The fund will not help restore environmental quality or undertake measures necessary to meet environmental standards when the responsible party can be held accountable.

New for 2026-27: The Environmental Trust Fund is considering the possibility of supporting recurring projects beyond the 2026-2027 program year. To be eligible for this consideration, applicants must include a clear outline of their plans for continued activities and the anticipated total cost in the "Prior Funding" section of the application. Potential recurring projects will be assessed following the submission of midterm reports. To enable early assessment and potential pre-intake decisions, interim reports may be required by September 30, 2026. This would allow for project review ahead of the 2026 intake.

Applicants are encouraged to explore other possible sources of funding to share in the project's costs. This third-party funding and/or in-kind contributions will enable the fund to extend assistance to a greater number of projects. 

All necessary licenses and permits must be obtained before the project begins. Approval for funding does not exempt projects from meeting regulatory requirements. In addition, the fund does not support projects where the recipient would gain an advantage over entrepreneurs in the same sector or a related sector of the economy. 

Some activities are generally not supported by the fund, such as: 

• acquisition of land 
• activities that are required by legislation (i.e. Environmental Impact Assessments etc.) 
• activities where other more appropriate funding programs should be accessed. 
• bank and shoreline stabilization measures other than natural and manual plantings 
• development, management and maintenance of parks and trails 
• feasibility studies 
• infrastructure and capital assets 
• instances when the recipient would gain an advantage over entrepreneurs in the same sector or a related sector of the economy 
• non "green" activities (i.e. sidewalk construction, paving, etc.) 
• septic upgrades 

Over the years, the Environmental Trust Fund has successfully supported thousands of projects. Community groups, local governments, First Nations, non-profit organizations and institutions all shared their ideas to make our communities a better place. 

These projects have demonstrated tangible, measurable results, aimed at protecting, preserving and enhancing the province’s natural environment. 

• Environmental trust fund impact reports (publication)