Ontario is one of the highest-risk provinces for the introduction of new invasive species to Canada. The Invasive Species Action Fund will provide grants for strategic projects to make effective progress.
The Invasive Species Action Fund, coordinated by the Invasive Species Centre, will support organizations across Ontario, including municipal and local governments, academic institutions, Indigenous communities, conservation authorities, and non-profits, to complete mapping, monitoring, and control activities on invasive species.
The Invasive Species Action Fund has three streams of funding available:
- Microgrants – $2,000 funding cap
- Accelerated Impact – $10,000 funding cap
- Transformative Action – $25,000 funding cap (Note: exceptional projects up to $50,000 will be considered)
The Invasive Species Action Fund is looking for projects that:
- Prevent new invaders from arriving and surviving in Ontario,
- Slow, and where possible reverse, the spread of existing invasive species, and
- Reduce the harmful impacts of existing invasive species.
Interested applicants can submit an online application by Wednesday, June 7, 2023. The Invasive Species Centre will also be hosting virtual information sessions where interested applicants will learn more about the program and receive tips from program staff as they prepare their submissions. Visit the Invasive Species Centre website (www.invasivespeciescentre.ca/isaf) for more information.
“The Invasive Species Centre is excited to support communities across the province with reducing the impacts that invasive species have on lands and waters,” says Sarah Rang, Executive Director of the Invasive Species Centre. “We know invasive species are costly, with over 3.6 billion dollars of impact each year in Ontario. This Fund will help catalyse collaborative action by community groups, municipal governments, Indigenous communities, and other organizations on pressing invasive species.”
This Fund is made possible with support from the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry.
For more information and to discuss the Invasive Species Action Fund, please contact
Colin Cassin at ccassin@invasivespeciescentre.ca.
Quick facts about invasive species in Ontario:
- Invasive species are those that are introduced to an ecosystem outside of their native range and have the potential to impact the ecology, economy, or society.
- Invasive species are considered one of the greatest threats to biodiversity.
- Invasive species are responsible for more than $3.6 billion dollars of impact each year on our forests, fisheries, agriculture, infrastructure, tourism and recreation in Ontario.
- The Invasive Species Action Fund will help address pressing invasive species including aquatic plants, terrestrial plants and forest pests.
Image 1: Maitland Trail Association Buckthorn Removal
Image 2: Port Dover Waterfront Preservation Association Purple Loosestrife Management
About the Invasive Species Centre
The Invasive Species Centre is a not-for-profit organization that prevents the spread of invasive species in Canada and beyond by connecting with stakeholders to catalyze invasive species management and communicate policy and science knowledge. Visit our website to learn about invasive species, get technical information, take action, register for events, and sign up to receive news.
Media contact:
Lauren Rogers
lrogers@invasivespeciescentre.ca
705-257-8188
