The Ontario government is putting up millions of dollars to tackle one of the province’s most destructive invasive plants.
In all, 119 projects are being funded to target phragmites, an aggressive weed that chokes out native species in Ontario’s wetlands, lakes, and rivers. Recipient groups include conservation authorities, municipalities, and Indigenous communities, with money going toward mapping, monitoring, and active cleanup efforts.
The funding is being delivered through the Ontario Phragmites Action program, which works with local partners and experts to manage and control invasive phragmites in communities across Ontario.
Invasive phragmites is one of Ontario’s most harmful invasive plants, spreading quickly and forming dense stands that crowd out native plants and damage wetlands, beaches, and wildlife habitat.
Invasive species are a leading cause of biodiversity loss in Ontario, with an estimated economic impact of $3.6 billion each year across sectors such as agriculture, fisheries, healthcare, and tourism.