Communities across Ontario are being given a helping hand when it comes to fighting invasive species.
The province is investing $2 million to help municipalities, Indigenous communities, conservation authorities and local organizations protect natural spaces.
Officials say the funding will help protect Ontario’s economy and biodiversity, support 112 projects, create over 160 good-paying local jobs and engage more than 3,000 volunteers to manage and prevent invasive species from spreading across the province.
“Protecting our natural spaces and native wildlife from invasive species is one of the most important conservation challenges we face,” Todd McCarthy, Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks said in a news release. “By supporting our partners on the ground, we are helping safeguard the watersheds, forests, and provincial parks that families across Ontario rely on – ensuring that future generations have the same opportunities to cherish and enjoy our shared environment.”
“This investment will support a coordinated response to invasive species, helping protect Ontario’s agri-food sector from emerging threats,” added Trevor Jones, Chatham-Kent-Leamington MPP and Minister of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness. “By stopping their spread, we are ensuring our farms and food supply remain strong.”
Ontario has the highest number of invasive species in Canada. Once established, invasive species can harm the natural environment and are extremely difficult and costly to control or remove.
Invasive species are a leading cause of biodiversity loss in Ontario, with an estimated economic impact of $3.6 billion each year across key sectors such as agriculture, fisheries, forestry, healthcare, tourism and outdoor recreation.
