Ontario Investing $20 Million to Protect Species at Risk

As part of its plan to protect Ontario’s environment and preserve biodiversity for future generations, the Ontario government is investing $20 million through the Species Conservation Program to help protect species at risk and their habitats across the province. This year’s funding will support 46 community-led conservation projects, protecting a wide range of at-risk species such as Monarch butterflies, Blanding’s turtles and butternut trees.

“Under the new Species Conservation Program, Ontario has quadrupled its investment in species conservation, expanding the impact of community‑driven projects in every corner of the province,” said Todd McCarthy, Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks. “By making strategic investments to support experienced conservation leaders, we are taking action to restore habitat, support species recovery efforts and protect Ontario’s rich biodiversity for generations to come.”

The Species Conservation Program replaces and improves on the former Species at Risk Stewardship Program (SARSP) with four times more funding to boost the valuable work that species experts and community-based protection and conservation projects are doing province-wide. The program was created to encourage people and organizations to get involved in conserving species at risk and their habitats through stewardship activities.

Minister McCarthy was joined today by conservation partners, including Earth Rangers, which is receiving $500,000 in funding to develop seven new bilingual “missions.” Delivered through the Earth Rangers app and website, these interactive, real‑world environmental activities will help children and families learn about native at‑risk species in Ontario and the simple, everyday actions they can take to help protect them.

Funding through the Species Conservation Program will support 15 new projects and 31 multi-year initiatives, including:

• ALUS Canada restoring more than 4,700 acres of farmland to create new habitat for a wide range of at‑risk species across the province
• Ontario Turtle Conservation Centre rehabilitating injured turtles and releasing hatchlings, supported by research and education
• Ducks Unlimited Canada restoring and enhancing wetlands to support at-risk wildlife in key wetlands areas, including turtles and birds like the Least Bittern
• Land Care Niagara improving habitat for Monarch butterflies through restoration and stewardship work in the Niagara region
• Georgian Bay Forever removing invasive Phragmites to improve wetland habitat used by several at‑risk turtle species
• Forest Gene Conservation Association conserving disease‑resistant butternut trees to support the recovery of this threatened native tree
• Ontario Land Trust Alliance supporting land trusts across the province to secure and manage high-value conservation lands and protect priority species

The Species Conservation Program is part of Ontario’s plan to protect the rich biodiversity of the province for future generations and support healthy, more resilient communities.

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