The Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry is investing in the fight against invasive species in the province.
The new funding includes $750,000 for the Invasive Species Centre in Sault Ste. Marie.
Below is the full news release from the Ontario government:
On May 4, 2023, the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry announced a new investment of $1 million in the Invasive Species Centre and Nature Conservancy of Canada to help combat the damaging and costly impacts of invasive species in the province. The Ontario government will provide $750,000 to the Invasive Species Centre and $250,000 to the Nature Conservancy of Canada.
Half of the funding will be used to support projects led by community partners that will respond to and reduce the current ecological and economic harm caused by invasive species and will include invasive species grant programs. The grant programs will launch late-Spring 2023 and interested groups can sign up for email notifications here
The other half of the funding will support the implementation of a comprehensive Ontario-wide plan to fight the fast-spreading invasive phragmites plant in Ontario. The plan – developed by the Green Shovels Collaborative – will engage stakeholders, Indigenous communities, and the public on phragmites management in Ontario.
Invasive species - organisms introduced by humans to new environments that harm the environment, economy, and society - are costly and responsible for over $3.6 billion dollars of impact each year on forests, fisheries, agriculture, infrastructure, tourism, and recreation in Ontario. Invasive species can damage lakes, lands, forests, and communities. This investment will help catalyse collaborative action by many community groups on pressing invasive species, including the common reed Phragmites, aquatic plants, and forest pests.
“With this new investment, the Invasive Species Centre looks forward to establishing a new granting program for invasive species work that will start in spring and summer 2023,” said Bob Lambe, president of the Invasive Species Centre Board of Directors, “We are excited to work with community groups, Indigenous organizations, municipalities, and other partners to help support prevention and management of invasive species in Ontario.”