Ontario Restoring Woodlands in London Area
Press Release
Highlighting Local Efforts to Protect and Enhance Fish and Wildlife Habitat
September 6, 2017 1:00 P.M.
Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry
Ontario is protecting plants, forests, streams and wetlands and restoring habitats for fish and wildlife in partnership with municipalities and organizations, including Reforest London.
Through the Land Stewardship and Habitat Restoration Program, the province is supporting Reforest London to enhance ecosystem health and forest cover in the London area. Reforest London will focus restoration efforts on five large publicly owned woodlands through tree planting and invasive species removal, which will improve the health of the woodlands and the important habitat they provide for wildlife. This project will engage community members and local business volunteers, empowering them to be active in protecting and enhancing natural areas across London.
Twenty four additional projects across the province are receiving support through the program this year in order to rehabilitate over 1,050 hectares of land and protect biodiversity. The selected projects will help to restore streams and wetlands, control invasive species, and enhance habitats for fish and wildlife.
Promoting and protecting biodiversity in Ontario is part of our plan to create jobs, grow our economy and help people in their everyday lives.
Quick Facts
- In 2017, Ontario is providing over $380,000 in funding for 25 projects that will help restore and rehabilitate over 1,050 hectares of land and protect biodiversity.
- Over the past four years the Land Stewardship and Habitat Restoration Program has helped restore over 2,500 hectares of habitat, created and supported 277 jobs and provided approximately 40,000 volunteer hours for Ontarians.
- The fund is available to incorporated organizations, including conservation organizations, Indigenous organizations, businesses, municipal governments and non-government organizations.
- Applications for 2018/2019 will be accepted beginning September 27, 2017.
- Ontario is home to over 30,000 species of plants and animals, all of which are important to the environmental, social and economic vitality of the province.
Additional Resources
- Land Stewardship and Habitat Restoration Program
- Land Stewardship and Habitat Restoration Program projects underway
- Species at Risk in Ontario
Quotes
“Through these projects being announced today, we will provide local organizations with the tools they need to restore and rehabilitate forests, streams and other habitats, ensuring a sustainable future for communities across Ontario.”
“Thanks to the most recent round of funding support from the Land Stewardship Habitat Restoration Program, Reforest London is going to host five community events where we expect to plant and care for 1,265 native trees and shrubs in the Upper Thames River Watershed, engage 225 community volunteers and restore 8,500 square meters of habitat in London, Ontario. This program is a great opportunity for the environmental sector and we strongly encourage organizations to apply to fund their restoration projects across Ontario.”
Kaitlin Richardson
Media Contacts
Media Calls Only: Emily Kirk
Minister’s Office
416-314-2206
Media Calls Only: Media Desk
Communications Services Branch
416-314-2106
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