Ontario is investing $1 million in the Invasive Species Centre and Nature Conservancy Canada to help combat the damaging and costly impacts of invasive species in the province.
“By investing in these trusted partners, the Ontario government is helping to prevent, detect and respond to the threats of invasive species,” said Graydon Smith, Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry. “I would like to thank our partners for their continued efforts and dedication to preventing and reducing the ecological and economic harm caused by invasive species in Ontario.”
The government will be providing $750,000 to the Invasive Species Centre and $250,000 to the Nature Conservancy of Canada.
Half of the funding will support the implementation of a comprehensive Ontario-wide plan to fight invasive phragmites. Phragmites is an aggressive plant that spreads quickly, releasing toxins from its roots into the soil to hinder the growth of and kill surrounding plants.
The plan – developed by the Green Shovels Collaborative – will engage stakeholders, Indigenous communities and the public on phragmites management in Ontario.
The rest 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.
