FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Jan. 6, 2020
Increased investment to help preserve plants, insects,
fish and wildlife throughout the province
SIMCOE — The Ontario government is investing up to $4.5 million to help protect and recover plants and animals that are in danger of disappearing in the province, including nearly $1.9 million in Haldimand-Norfolk over the next few years.
The funding will be provided to non-profit organizations and other groups through the Species at Risk Stewardship Program for on-the-ground projects that help preserve species at risk and their habitat.
In Haldimand-Norfolk, 13 projects were approved, including vital multi-year support for some projects.
ALUS Canada is the largest of the recipients locally, receiving $750,000 in multi-year support. This money will be used to work with farmers and local community partners to create, enhance, restore and manage on-the-ground habitat conservation projects.
Birds Canada, based in Port Rowan, also received multi-year funding for three separate initiatives. These are research and stewardship for declining aerial insectivore populations, conservation and stewardship for piping plover populations and habitat creation for multiple at-risk bird species in the province.
Taquanyah Conservation Area in Haldimand will benefit from nearly $38,000 in funding through Wilfrid Laurier University to establish Virginia Mallow in areas where invasive phragmites currently exists or where control efforts have been implemented. Other organizations from outside the riding also received funding for work in Haldimand and Norfolk.
“The significant funding invested locally demonstrates the important role Haldimand and Norfolk play as habitat for these plants and animals,” said Haldimand-Norfolk MPP Toby Barrett. ““I was pleased to host several events last year to celebrate this funding and had the opportunity to talk to people working with ALUS and Birds Canada.”
“Our community partners play an important role in environmental stewardship. Through the Species at Risk Stewardship Program, we have funded over 1,100 local projects since 2007 that have helped protect and recover species at risk in Ontario,” said Jeff Yurek, Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks. “This on-the-ground work is extremely important to preserving the biodiversity of our province for future generations, and I am proud to continue this program for another year.”
Protecting species at risk and their habitat is part of the government’s Made-in-Ontario Environment Plan – a roadmap to preserving and protecting the province’s land, air and water.
Applications for funding for the 2021-2022 Species at Risk Stewardship Program are now open. Individuals, communities and organizations have until 3 p.m. February 9, 2021 to apply.
QUICK FACTS
- A list of projects being supported by the program in 2020-21 is available online.
- Ontario is home to more than 30,000 species of plants, insects, fish and wildlife.
- 243 species are listed on the Species at Risk in Ontario List.
- Projects funded through the Species at Risk Stewardship Program have contributed to the restoration of approximately 54,500 hectares of habitat for species at risk.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
- Learn more about how Ontario protects and recovers species at risk and how you can help.
- Read the Made-in-Ontario Environment Plan.
-30-
For more information, contact MPP Toby Barrett at 519-428-0446 or 905-765-8413 or toby.barrett@pc.ola.org