Ontario Protecting Endangered and Threatened Species

Species at risk in Ontario

Province Investing in 105 Projects to Help At-Risk Plants and Animals

Ontario is protecting species at risk and promoting their recovery by investing to create and rehabilitate habitats, conduct research on recovery efforts and threats and educate youth about at-risk plants and animals in their area.

Now in its eleventh year, the Species at Risk Stewardship Program helps find solutions to problems such as reversing the decline of pollinators in Ontario, preventing the spread of White Nose Syndrome among bat populations and determining what kind of artificial habitats can be installed to host barn swallow.

105 projects are receiving support this year. Work includes:

  • Using science to monitor and conserve endangered bats in Ontario
  • Protecting and restoring rare oak savanna habitat for multiple species at risk at St. Williams Conservation Reserve
  • Recovering wood turtle populations in Huron County
  • Creating habitat for 22 species at risk in and around the Sydenham River
  • Enhancing the genetic diversity of the American chestnut tree and expanding seed colonies to continue to bring back this iconic tree.

Investing in the conservation and protection of biodiversity in Ontario is part of our plan to create jobs, grow our economy and help people in their everyday lives.

Quick Facts

  • Ontario is investing approximately $4.5 million in the 2017–18 Species at Risk Stewardship Program to support 53 new stewardship projects and 15 new research projects. Another 37 stewardship and research projects that began in previous years are receiving continued support.
  • Over the last 10 years, the Species at Risk Stewardship Program has funded more than 968 research and stewardship projects across Ontario, helping to restore 33,500 hectares of habitat for species at risk while creating 2,600 jobs and involving 28,000 volunteers.
  • This year’s projects focus on badgers, bats, birds, fish, insects, plants, pollinators, snakes, turtles and wolverines, and various habitats.
  • The Species at Risk Stewardship Program invites applications each fall from Indigenous communities and organizations, academic institutions, Conservation Authorities, individuals, businesses, consulting companies and industry organizations, landowners and farmers, municipal and local governments, and non-governmental organizations.

Photo from: www.onnaturemagazine.com

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