A project in Garden River First Nation is among the recipients of funding from the Invasive Species Centre's Invasive Species Action Fund.
The money is part of an investment received by the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry.
The project in Garden River, called Ketegaunseebee Plan for the Prevention and Monitoring of Invasive Species Project, is an effort to monitor and prevent invasive species in the area.
Other projects in northeastern Ontario that will be supported by the Invasive Species Action Fund include:
- McDougall: The Corporation of the Municipality of McDougall, Addressing Japanese Knotweed in the Municipality of McDougall
- Naughton: Atikameksheng Anishnawbek, Reversing the Spread of Invasive Species in Atikameksheng Anishnawbek
- Missanabie: Missanabie Cree First Nation, Dog Lake Missanabie Invasive Species Watch
- Sudbury: Junction Creek Stewardship Committee Inc., Empowering Youth in Invasive Species
- Sundridge: Township of Strong, Say No to Japanese knotweed in Sundridge, Strong and Joly
Following is a full release from the Invasive Species Centre on the fund:
Thanks to an investment from the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry, the Invasive Species Centre is supporting 61 new collaborative action projects by community groups, Indigenous organizations, and municipalities on critical invasive species, including invasive plants, aquatic plants, and forest pests.
Invasive species are those that are introduced to an ecosystem outside of their native range and have the potential to impact the ecology, economy, or society. Ontario is one of the highest-risk provinces for the introduction of new invasive species in Canada. Invasive species can damage lakes, lands, forests, and communities and are one of the greatest threats to the natural world. Invasive species are costly, responsible for an estimated $3.6 billion dollars of impact each year to forestry, fisheries, agriculture, infrastructure, tourism, and recreation in Ontario.
The Invasive Species Centre, through the first round of the Invasive Species Action Fund, is pleased to support 151 groups, including 1,400 support staff and volunteers for on-the-ground action to stop invasive species. The funding is supporting 61 Indigenous groups and communities and 72 municipalities and conservation authorities. Projects will engage almost 8,000 people at 104 events, including over 1,800 youth in Ontario in 2023.
“Working collaboratively, the Invasive Species Centre helps communities reduce the spread of invasive species which impact their parks, forests and lakes resulting in long-term positive change on the landscape,” said Sarah Rang, executive director.