Community-led conservation projects receive major provincial investment

The province of Ontario is investing $20 million across 46 community-led conservation projects to help protect species at risk and their habitats across the province.

This is great news for Monarch butterflies, Blanding’s turtles and butternut trees, a few of the at-risk species that will be prioritized in these conservation efforts.

Funding is provided through the Species Conservation Program, created to encourage people and organizations to get involved in environmental stewardship.

“Under the new Species Conservation Program, Ontario has quadrupled its investment in species conservation, expanding the impact of community‑driven projects in every corner of the province,” said Todd McCarthy, Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks. “By making strategic investments to support experienced conservation leaders, we are taking action to restore habitat, support species recovery efforts and protect Ontario’s rich biodiversity for generations to come.”

Projects supported by this funding include:

• ALUS Canada restoring more than 4,700 acres of farmland to create new habitat for a wide range of at‑risk species across the province
• Ontario Turtle Conservation Centre rehabilitating injured turtles and releasing hatchlings, supported by research and education
• Ducks Unlimited Canada restoring and enhancing wetlands to support at-risk wildlife in key wetlands areas, including turtles and birds like the Least Bittern
• Land Care Niagara improving habitat for Monarch butterflies through restoration and stewardship work in the Niagara region
• Georgian Bay Forever removing invasive Phragmites to improve wetland habitat used by several at‑risk turtle species
• Forest Gene Conservation Association conserving disease‑resistant butternut trees to support the recovery of this threatened native tree
• Ontario Land Trust Alliance supporting land trusts across the province to secure and manage high-value conservation lands and protect priority species

Ducks Unlimited Canada says it looks forward to continuing its collaboration with conservation organizations, First Nations, landowners and the Ontario government to protect Canada’s wetlands.

“Wetlands are biodiversity hotspots, providing essential habitat for many at-risk amphibians, birds, reptiles and plants,” said Marie-Paule Godin, Manager of Provincial Operations for Ducks Unlimited Canada. “This funding will support the creation of new wetlands and help secure existing ones through restoration, monitoring and invasive species management.”

Since 2018, Ontario has invested $33 million in over 220 conservation and stewardship projects, creating more than 2,355 jobs and restoring nearly 50,000 acres of habitat for species at risk.