The federal government is now accepting applications for new projects through the Small Projects Stream of the Natural Infrastructure Fund.

The $200-million fund supports building community awareness of the value of natural infrastructure. It aims to bring noticeable benefits to communities across Canada by improving access to nature, providing cleaner air and water, protecting and preserving biodiversity and wildlife habitats and mitigating carbon emissions.

"All Canadians, whether they live in a densely populated city or in rural Canada, deserve to have access to nature," said Infrastructure and Communities Minister Dominic LeBlanc. “It has clear benefits for our well-being and helps us better understand the world around us. Through the Natural Infrastructure Fund, we are building more resilient communities while improving the health of our planet

This funding program is key to the Government of Canada's ongoing efforts to build a healthier and more inclusive future for everyone. Investing in natural infrastructure will reduce emissions, create good jobs and address climate-related challenges that communities are facing across the country. 

Municipalities, local governments, provinces or territories, public sector bodies, Indigenous organizations, not-for-profit, and for-profit organizations in partnership with other eligible applicants outside the private sector, can apply for up to $1 million in federal funding to restore and enhance natural infrastructure like urban forests, street trees, wetlands, living dykes, bioswales, and naturalized coastal restoration.

The small projects stream of the fund will support new projects with total eligible costs between $30,000 and $3 million. At least 10 percent of the overall program funding will be allocated to Indigenous-led projects.