Thanks to an investment from the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, the Invasive Species Centre supports collaborative action projects by community groups, Indigenous organizations, and municipalities on critical invasive species, including invasive plants, aquatic plants, and forest pests.
Program Goal
Ontario is one of the highest-risk provinces for the introduction of new invasive species to Canada. With an abundance of invasive species and finite resources to address the issue, allocating resources to the most strategic projects is critical to make effective progress.
Many municipalities, organizations, conservation authorities and other partners continue to see invasive species establishing and spreading in their areas with few resources to work proactively to detect, prevent and eliminate these species prior to the requirement for long-term control and management action.
ISAF will enable successful applicants to catalyze action on invasive species management in Ontario in 2024, while also supporting them in planning and quantifying needs to complete work in the future.
This new program will also support goals identified in the Ontario Invasive Species Strategic Plan including:
- To prevent new invaders from arriving and surviving in Ontario,
- To slow, and where possible reverse, the spread of existing invasive species, and
- To reduce the harmful impacts of existing invasive species
Objectives
- Supporting prevention, control and eradication activities to reduce the threats posed by Ontario’s highest-risk invasive species
- Enabling planning, mapping, monitoring, and management actions at the local level
- Assessing the impact of control activities and supporting planning for future work
Learn more about the funded projects below (click the header to learn more).
Fiscal Year 2025 recipients
Stay tuned! More information coming soon.
Fiscal Year 2024 recipients
| Organization | Location | Project Name | Project Overview |
|---|---|---|---|
| Atikameksheng Anishnawbek | Naughton, ON | Reversing the Spread of Invasive Species in Atikameksheng Anishnawbek | Atikameksheng Anishnawbek will work to reduce the risk of Japanese knotweed by taking action to eradicate the species from reserve lands. |
| Big Cedar Lake Stewardship Association | North Kawartha, ON | Big Cedar Lake Public Boat Launch Invasive Species Weed-Free Boat Channel | Big Cedar Lake aquatic invasive species weed-free channel at the public boat launch. |
| Copeland Forest Friends Association | Coldwater, ON | Improving Recreation at Copeland Forest | This project will improve trail safety for recreational visitors within the Copeland Forest. |
| Corporation of the City of Vaughan | Vaughan, ON | Mapping the Hemlock Woolly Adelgid Species in the City of Vaughan | The City of Vaughan monitoring program for the hemlock woolly adelgid species will proactively identify areas affected and create a city-wide strategy to help keep its population under control. |
| County of Simcoe | Midhurst, ON | Managing Dog-strangling Vine and Other Invasives at County of Simcoe’s Tottenham Tract | Controlling dog-strangling vine and other invasive plants in Tottenham Tract to improve the health and plant diversity in the Oak Ridges Moraine Natural Linkage Area. |
| Drag Lake Property Owners’ Association | Haliburton, ON | Identification, Monitoring and Control of Eurasian Watermilfoil on Drag and Spruce Lakes | The Drag Lake Property Owners’ Association project aims to identify, monitor and selectively control Eurasian watermilfoil on Drag and Spruce lakes from June 1 until October 31, 2023. |
| Escarpment Biosphere Conservancy, Inc. | Toronto, ON | Simmons Preserve – Invasive Species Management | The Escarpment Biosphere Conservancy will be working with the local community and partners to identify and remove buckthorn and scots pine on the Simmons Nature Preserve. |
| Federation of Ontario Naturalists (operating as Ontario Nature) | Halton Hills, ON | Invasive Buckthorn Removal at Wilfrid G. Crozier Nature Reserve | Ontario Nature will reduce the spread of invasive buckthorn at the Wilfrid G. Crozier Nature Reserve, improving habitat within the Niagara Escarpment Biosphere Reserve. |
| Federation of Ontario Naturalists (operating as Ontario Nature) | Wainfleet, ON | Controlling Invasive Hemlock Woolly Adelgid at Harold Mitchell Nature Reserve | Ontario Nature will reduce the infestation of invasive hemlock woolly adelgid at the Harold Mitchell Nature Reserve, conserving the rare mature hemlock forest. |
| Freedom House International Church | Brantford, ON | Giant Hogweed Mitigation Project (GHMP) | GHMP coordinates landowners, volunteers, and authorities, to reduce populations of giant hogweed in the watershed and provide education about identification, removal, and risks, of this plant. |
| Friends & Stewards of Dorchester Park | Brampton, ON | Growing Together Against Invasives: Citizen Empowerment for Plant Removal | Community Stewardship at Dorchester Park through volunteer education and the removal of three invasive plant species. |
| Friends of Second Marsh | Oshawa, ON | Common (European) Buckthorn Management with Community Volunteer Stewardship | Common (European) buckthorn management in the McLaughlin Bay Wildlife Reserve through community volunteer stewardship. |
| Friends of Wye Marsh | Midland, ON | Buckthorn Suppression and SAR Habitat Improvement | Contain and suppress invasive buckthorn and restore with native shrubs for the creation of a species at risk turtle nesting site. |
| Ganaraska Region Conservation Authority | Port Hope, ON | GFC Revitalization – Building Long-term Resiliency to HWA, BLD and other Invasive Species Within a Forest Management Context | Monitoring and proactive management of beech leaf disease, hemlock woolly adelgid, and other invasive species to promote resiliency and native species via understory thinning in a mature plantation. |
| Garden River First Nation | Garden River First Nation, ON | Ketegaunseebee Plan for the Prevention and Monitoring of Invasive Species Project | This project is to plan for prevention and monitoring of invasive species in Garden River First Nation. |
| Grand Council Treaty #3 Represenative Services | Kenora, On | Treaty #3 Zebra Mussel Early Detection and Prevention | Grand Council Treaty #3 will work with Treaty #3 communities to collect water samples for early detection of zebra mussel veligers across the Treaty #3 Nation to inform and guide future zebra mussel management. |
| Grand Council Treaty #3 Representative Services | Kenora, ON | Treaty #3 Purple Loosestrife Mapping and Monitoring | Grand Council Treaty #3 will map and monitor invasive purple loosestrife growing across the Treaty #3 Territory to guide future mitigation and removal work. |
| Hamilton Naturalists Club | Hamilton, ON | Managing Invasive Species at Hamilton Naturalists’ Club Nature Sanctuaries | Managing invasive species at Hamilton Naturalists’ Club’s nature sanctuaries will reduce the spread and impact of harmful invasive species in priority areas. |
| Heartland Forest Nature Experience | Niagara Falls, ON | Invasive Purple Loosestrife Community Engagement Removal Project | Heartland Forest’s project will eliminate or impede the invasion of purple loosestrife in our unique Carolinian forest ecosystem through community engagement initiatives. |
| Junction Creek Stewardship Committee Inc. | Sudbury, ON | Empowering Youth in Invasive Species | Provide the knowledge and tools to empower youth to be community stewards and take action against invasive species in the Junction Creek watershed. |
| Kawartha Land Trust | Peterborough, ON | Conserving American Ginseng: Relieving Invasive Species Pressure to Support Isolated Populations | Kawartha Land Trust is protecting critical populations of species from invasive species in our forests using volunteers and expert knowledge to make tangible impacts. |
| Kayanase, div of Grand River Employment & Training Inc | Brantford, ON | The Mohawk Village Memorial Park Naturalization Project | To cover the initial costs for the management of this forest which would divert possible future budget funds to the restoration effort. |
| Kettle Creek Conservation Authority | St Thomas, ON | Tackling Invasive Species at Kirk Cousins Management Area | Kettle Creek Conservation Authority will develop an invasive species management plan for the Kirk Cousins Management Area and initiate the treatment of spotted knapweed and woody invasive species including autumn olive and European and glossy buckthorn on seven acres of the property while engaging local high school students. |
| Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority | Newmarket, ON | Invasive Species Inventory and Mapping on Newly Acquired Conservation Lands | Conduct an inventory and mapping of invasive species distribution and abundance within a newly acquired conservation lands focused on ecological protection. |
| Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority | Newmarket, ON | Expanding Efforts for Wild Parsnip Control Along Trails and in Restoration Areas. | To control wild parsnip spread in a conservation area that is home to a well utilized trail network and recent habitat enhancement projects. |
| Lakehead Region Conservation Authority | Thunder Bay, ON | Identifying and Mapping Narrow-leaved Cattail Stands within Hurkett Cove, Ontario | The intent of the project is to map the existing stands of narrow-leaved cattail within Hurkett Cove and begin consultation with like-minded project partners. |
| Lanark County | Perth, ON | Ottawa Valley Recreational Trail Invasive Plants Stewardship Project | This project will mitigate the effects of invasive plants along the Ottawa Valley Recreational Trail to preserve the ecological and recreational value it provides to Lanark County. |
| Landscape Ontario Horticultural Trades Association | Southerwestern Ontario Regionwide | Monitoring for Invasive Species on the Landscape | The Landscape Ontario Horticultural Trades Association project focuses on surveillance and early detection of invasive pests (spotted lanternfly, oak wilt, hemlock woolly adelgid) in central and southern Ontario. |
| Lower Thames Valley Conservation Authority | Chatham, ON | Managing New Invasions in the Lower Thames Valley Conservation Authority | The Lower Thames Valley Conservation Authority will assess and actively manage recent invasions of Japanese stiltgrass on their property and water lettuce in McGregor Creek. |
| Lower Thames Valley Conservation Authority (LTVCA) | Chatham, ON | LTVCA Urban Stewardship Invasive Removal Program | This program will engage members of the community in volunteer events to remove woody invasives that threaten to overtake native tall-grass prairies. |
| Lower Trent Region Conservation Authority | Trenton, ON | Allowing Rare and Natural Flora Communities to Thrive Through Removal of Invasive Species | To preserve and protect Sager Conservation Area, a control plan to eradicate dog strangling vine will be implemented to allow natural plant communities, including rare remnant prairie species, to flourish. |
| Maitland Trail Association | Goderich, ON | Control invasive Buckthorn on the Sifto Loop | Kill and remove the vast majority of troublesome buckthorn shrubs on the Compass Mineral property known as the Sifto Loop; supported with future monitoring and control management. |
| Missanabie Cree First Nation | Missanabie, ON | Dog Lake Missanabie Invasive Species Watch | Dog Lake Missanabie Invasive Species Watch is intended to educate anglers coming in to fish on Dog Lake about the invasive species that are infiltrating northern inland lakes. We will have pictures in the pamphlet and will interview them over the course of 5-10 minutes at the boat launches to survey them about the knowledge/awareness of the invasives, whether they have seen them/where, and then we will ask them to do a circle check of their boat before launching to look for these invasives. |
| Niagara Bruce Trail Club | Beamsville, ON | Buckthorn & invasive honeysuckle removal on high priority Bruce Trail Conservancy Nature Reserves | Invasive buckthorn & invasive honeysuckle removal along high priority Bruce Trail Nature Reserves in the Niagara area. |
| Nottawasaga Valley Conservation Authority | Utopia, ON | Invasive Species Conservation Area Control | The Nottawasaga Valley Conservation Authority (NVCA) will implement best management practices to control targeted invasive species on various active conservation areas throughout our watershed. |
| Oakvillegreen Conservation Association | Oakville, ON | Buckthorn Busters: Buttonbush Woods Restoration Project | Oakvillegreen will be removing invasive buckthorn, providing educational and practical experience to residents and participants, and promoting upcoming native species plantings at the same site. |
| Odoonabii Watershed Stewards | Peterborough, ON | Jackson Park Invasive Species Removal – Phase 2 | The Odoonabii Watershed Stewards will extend the area that is cleared of buckthorn in Jackson Park, Peterborough. This natural park is within the City of Peterborough and invasives have established in several areas. |
| Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters | Peterborough, ON | Responding to Water Soldier in Ontario | Preventing the spread of water soldier in Ontario, responding to new populations detected, and eradicating established populations of water soldier from public waters in Ontario. |
| Ontario Streams | Aurora, ON | European Buckthorn Control and Native Revegetation Project 2023 | Ontario Streams will host events removing European Buckthorn and planting native vegetation in headwater habitats within the Humber River Watershed. |
| Picard Lake Cottage Association (PLCA) | Trent Lake, ON | Picard Lake Cottage Association Eurasian Water Milfoil Mitigation and Control Trial | The Picard Lake Cottage Association is launching a trial program to mitigate and control the spread of Eurasion water milfoil in its lake. |
| ReForest London | London, ON | Buckthorn Busting in London’s Celebration Forest | This project will create space for future naturalization plantings in London’s Celebration Forest through a series of buckthorn busting events with local community groups. |
| Rideau Waterway Land Trust | Elgin, ON | Improve trail viewpoint through Dog-strangling vine removal and the creation of native pollinator garden | The project aims to remove dog-strangling vine, prevent further spread, establish a pollinator garden, and educate visitors about conservation at the James Fullard Nature Reserve. |
| Riverview Park Community Association | Ottawa, ON | Friends of Riverview Park Green Spaces Invasive Eradication Project | The Friends of Riverview park Green Spaces group is working to improve our community greenspaces by combating invasives species. |
| Rotary Club of Uxbridge | Uxbridge, ON | Mechanical Removal of Common Buckthorn in the Trails of Uxbridge | A collaborative, volunteer community effort to mechanically remove and reduce the spread of common buckthorn in the trails of Uxbridge. |
| Severn Sound Environmental Association | Port McNicoll, ON | Severn Sound Community Invasive Shrub & Tree Management | Severn Sound Environmental Association aims to expand capacity for community invasive shrub & tree management through the addition of specialized equipment for community management events. |
| Sharbot Lake Property Owners Association (SLPOA) | Sharbot Lake, ON | Phase 2 Eurasian Water Milfoil Mapping Project | Phase 2 of drone mapping the spread of invasive Eurasian water milfoil in Sharbot Lake, Ontario. |
| The Corporation of the City of Windsor | Windsor, ON | Invasive Species Control Implementation and Early Detection Activities in the Ojibway Prairie Complex | The City of Windsor will implement control of dog strangling vine, Japanese knotweed, and autumn olive, while increasing capacity to detect species on the watch list. |
| The Corporation of the Municipality of McDougall | McDougall, ON | Addressing Japanese Knotweed in the Municipality of McDougall | The municipality will inspect all municipal roadsides for Japanese knotweed, and mitigate where found. |
| The Corporation of the Municipality of Port Hope | Port Hope, ON | Port Hope Waterfront Trail Invasive Species Monitoring and Management | The Municipality of Port Hope is surveying the waterfront and riverwalk trails to complete an Invasive Species Management Plan and complete removals of priority species. |
| The Couchiching Conservancy | Orillia, ON | Invasive Species Monitoring Program Expansion Plan | Couchiching Conservancy will map, monitor, and control the spread of five invasive plants and develop an Invasive plant eradication expansion plan for the future. |
| The Green Herons | St. Catharines, ON | Stop the Sticky Bedstraw Brah | Stickyweed is threatening our marsh and classroom. We strive to keep our ecosystem healthy and will ‘Stop the Sticky Bedstraw Brah’! |
| Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) | Toronto, ON | Hemlock Woolly Adelgid (HWA) Threat Assessment and Monitoring Plan | To meet the threat of hemlock woolly adelgid, TRCA is preparing and implementing an HWA Response Plan. |
| Toronto Nature Stewards (TNS) | Toronto, ON | Toronto Nature Stewards – Newtonbrook Creek Ravine Restoration Project | Newtonbrook Creek Restoration Project engages trained volunteers to remove invasive plants to help nature restore itself and allow native plants to thrive. |
| Toronto Nature Stewards, Leaside Park | Toronto, ON | Restoring the Natural Beauty of Leaside Park | We will train local residents to recognize and remove invasive species from Leaside Park, to help restore its natural beauty. |
| Township of King | King City, ON | Dog-Strangling Vine Mitigation at Cold Creek Conservation | King will utilize funding to undertake the identification and mitigation of dog strangling vine, as well as the installation of boot brushes at Cold Creek Conservation Area. |
| Township of Strong | Sundridge, ON | Say No to Japanese knotweed in Sundridge, Strong and Joly | The objective is to sensitize landowners and visitors to the presence of Japanese knotweed, promoting accurate identification of this invasive plant, as well as mapping and action guided by Best Management Practices guidelines. |
| University of Waterloo | Waterloo, ON | Managing Garlic Mustard at the University of Waterloo | This project will manage garlic mustard at the University of Waterloo through workdays where garlic mustard will be removed and native species will be planted. |
| Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) | London, ON | Invasive Species Management, Inventory, Monitoring, Mapping and Community Engagement in the UTRCA Watershed | This project will assist the UTRCA with our lands inventory and conservation area strategy projects as required by the Conservation Authorities Act. |
| West Lake Community Association (WLCA) | Picton, ON | West Lake Invasive Aquatic Vegetation Control and Management Project | To engage organizations securing all ways possible for invasive aquatic species education and safe removal in West Lake threatening lake health and endangered species at risk habitats. |
| Wollaston Lake Home and Cottage Association | Coe Hill, ON | Eurasian Milfoil Remediation – Benthic Mat Installation and Placement of Yellow Transport Canada approved Marker Buoys | The installation of benthic mats in Wollaston Lake, Coe Hill, Ontario, to reduce the prevalence and spread of Eurasian milfoil. |
| Wollaston Lake Home and Cottage Association | Coe Hill, ON | Boating Channel Creation via Mechanical Eurasian Milfoil Harvesting | The creation of a safe boating channel through harvesting of Eurasian milfoil. |
Fiscal Year 2023 recipients
| Organization | Project Name | Project Overview |
|---|---|---|
| Boating Ontario association | Aquatic Invasive Species Awareness | In person discussion’s at the Toronto International boat Show as well as follow ups for information requested and Boating Ontario social media |
| Central Lake Ontario Conservation Authority (CLOCA) | Hemlock Woolly Adelgid Awareness and Engagement Workshops | CLOCA’s Hemlock Woolly Adelgid Awareness and Engagement Workshops will provide community awareness and support that is critical to the success of our early detection and management program. |
| Central Peel Secondary School | Garlic Mustard Removal Program and Native Plant Restoration | Students at Central Peel Secondary School will learn to control Garlic Mustard and revitalize the area with native plants. |
| Don’t Mess with the Don | Expanded removal of invasives, DSV and Buckthorn, and restoration of habitat through widespread volunteer efforts | Removal and eradication of DSV invasive plants and restoration of native conditions through replanting. |
| Elephant Thoughts Educational Outreach | Engaging Community in the Prevention and Spread of Invasive Species. | The Engaging Community in the Prevention and Spread of Invasive Species program to ensure best practices to protect our region. |
| Guided Nature Meditation Walks & Events Meetup Group | Invasive Species Awareness Walk & Awareness | When community connects with the profound and healing beauty of nature we cannot help but strive to care more deeply for the natural environment this includes taking action to address invasive species. Guided forest bathing walks have the ability to help raise awareness about invasive plants and actions that can be taken towards stewarding the lands in higher integrity. |
| Kawartha Heights Public School | Nature Area Protection | The removal of invasive species in our Nature Area is crucial to providing a safe, informative and positive learning environment. |
| Kettle Creek Conservation Authority | Lake Margaret Woody Invasive Species Control | KCCA will manage woody invasive species on 3.5 acres of the shoreline of Lake Margaret in St. Thomas. |
| Lakehead University – Office of Community Engagement & Lifelong Learning | Ontario Youth Naturalist Program: Invasive Species Module – Trip to Georgian Bay Islands National Park | Implementation of the Invasive Species module for SHSM students and a youth action project (2 classes) with Parks Canada |
| Lanark County Stewardship Council | Lanark County Stewardship Council Invasive Species Tool Lending Library | Build community awareness on invasive species and provide tools and resources to engage Lanark County landowners in invasive species removal on their properties. |
| little Forest Kingston | Weweni Gnawendandaa Mitigwaaki – Let’s All Take Care of the Forest | An Indigenous-led project to improve biodiversity and spark citizen action while removing invasive species on Belle Island, in Kingston, Ontario. |
| Long Point Basin Land Trust | Eradicating the first record of Japanese Stiltgrass in Norfolk County | Long Point Basin Land Trust will eradicate Japanese Stiltgrass at the Shirley & George Pond Nature Reserve in Norfolk County. |
| Lower Thames Valley Conservation Authority | Imagine McGregor Invasive Removal Program | This program will utilize members of the community to remove woody invasives that threaten to overtake native tallgrass prairies. |
| Lower Trent Conservation Authority | Protecting Rare and Naturalized Plant Communities from Invasive Plants | In order to maintain and manage our property Sager Conservation Area, we would like to implement a control plan to eradicate the dog strangling vine that has been found throughout the property. |
| Municipality of Whitestone | Grow me Instead (Northern Ontario) – literature and demonstration garden | Educate ratepayers with ‘Grow Me Instead (Northern Ontario)’ brochures. Create garden using natural, native plants to show how easy and beautiful it can be. |
| Nipissing First Nation | Annual phragmites management support | The purpose of this initiative is to support our eradication efforts through purchasing motorized equipment (STIHL cutters) for the purpose of removing phragmites more efficiently utilizing the drownings technique. |
| Northumberland Land Trust | Control of dog- strangling vine at the McEwen Nature Reserve. | This project will control dog-strangling vine in nesting habitat for Grasshopper Sparrow and other grassland species. |
| Nottawasaga Valley Conservation Authority | Invasive Species Control to Improve Recreation | The Nottawasaga Valley Conservation Authority (NVCA) will implement best management practices to control wild parsnip, dog strangling vine, and Manitoba maple on various properties throughout our watershed. |
| Oakvillegreen Conservation Association Inc. | Invasive Captains and Resources for Community Action Against Invasive Species | Oakvillegreen is creating invasive species focused materials to increase awareness and knowledge of the different species and risks they pose. |
| Peterborough Golf & Country Club (PC&CC) | Dog Strangling Vine – Reduce-Remove-Replant | PC&CC will work local partners to increase awareness about dog strangling vine and to remove this vine in our community. |
| Rideau Waterway Land Trust | Warren Nature Reserve Property Management Plan and Invasive Species Removal | Invasive Plant Species Population Identification and Removal from the Warren Nature Reserve. |
| Temagami Lakes Association | Promotion of Watercraft Decontamination Within Temagami Area Lakes | Promote the adoption of watercraft decontamination techniques and practices within Temagami area lakes. |
| The Bruce Trail Conservancy | Beaver Valley Buckthorn Busting | Bruce Trail Conservancy Ecologists and Beaver Valley Bruce Trail Club volunteers get together on a yearly basis in October to remove the invasive Common Buckthorn from BTC Owned or managed land. |
| Town of Parry Sound | Japanese Knotweed control and eradication program | Japanese Knotweed control and eradication to restore the shoreline of the Seguin River in the Town of Parry Sound |
| Township of King | Cold Creek Buckthorn Removal | The Township of King Community Services Department is committed to controlling terrestrial invasive plants growing at Cold Creek Conservation order in order to reduce the negative impacts associated with European buckthorn. The purpose of the proposed project is to control through best management practices identified patches of European Buckthorn to reduce the spread of this noxious plants throughout the property growing along the trails and along forest edges. |
| Trout Unlimited Canada | Strategic Watershed Action Team (SWAT) | We are improving southern Ontario’s freshwater and riparian buffers by removing invasive species while educating and connecting with local communities. |
Fiscal Year 2022 recipients
Summary of $1,000 Recipients
| Organization | Project Name | Project Overview |
|---|---|---|
| Aquatarium at Tall Ships Landing | St. Lawrence most wanted invasive species curiosity cart program | The Aquatarium at Tall Ships Landing will implement an educational project that helps children to identify and understand the risk of invasive species throughout the 1000 Islands St. Lawrence region including a pop-up education station at the Aquatarium which will host sessions in 2022. |
| Boating Ontario Association | Supporting invasive species education, community action and management planning in Ontario | The Boating Ontario Association will educate boaters on invasive species issues including provincial regulations, which will lead to a boating community equipped with the knowledge to keep waterways safe from invasive species. |
| City of Mississauga | 2022 Garlic Mustard Task Force | The Corporation of the City of Mississauga will support the 2022 implementation of the City of Mississauga’s Garlic Mustard Task Force (GMTF) in order to grow their volunteer team and remove garlic mustard from natural areas in Mississauga. |
| Clean North | Developing a Grow Me Instead education program for the greater Sault Ste. Marie area | Clean North will work with a range of partners including Sault Naturalists, the Lake Superior Watershed Conservancy, and the city to develop “Grow Me Instead” materials specific to the area around Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario which can be used to educate gardeners and homeowners. |
| Eagle Lake Property Owners Association | Eagle Lake Eurasian watermilfoil information campaign | The Eagle Lake Property Owners Association will develop an awareness program for the cottagers around Eagle Lake to collectively help slow the spread of Eurasian Water Milfoil. |
| EcoSuperior | 6th Annual Garlic Mustard Pull | EcoSuperior Environmental Programs will host the 6th Annual Garlic Mustard Pull and engage citizens on locally relevant invasive species. |
| Essex County Field Naturalists Phragmites | Phrag fighters | The Essex County Field Naturalists’ Club will run education and demonstration events for volunteers, followed by secondary suppression and removal of invasive Phragmites in Windsor and Essex County. |
| Field and Stream Rescue Team | ISC x FSRT Invasives on the edge 2022 | The Field and Stream Rescue Team will coordinate with local organizations and landowners in Burlington, Ontario to host community events that feature invasive species education, identification, and removal activities in valuable interstitial urban green spaces. |
| Friends of Kilally Meadows ESA | EcoHikes with Friends of Kilally Meadows | Friends of Kilally Meadows ESA will engage EcoHikers in restoration of Kilally Meadows ESA, Highbury Avenue Bridge access point through management of invasive Himalayan balsam and garlic mustard and planting native plants. |
| Friends of Salmon River | Invasive Species Action in the Salmon River Watershed | Friends of the Salmon River will educate community members about Invasive Species and host field sessions to remove invasive Phragmites from the Salmon River Watershed. |
| Greater Sudbury Watershed Alliance, Aquatic Invasive Species Committee | Eurasian watermilfoil in Sudbury Lakes: status and options for action | The Greater Sudbury Watershed Alliance, Aquatic Invasive Species Committee will create a comprehensive report to help the committee develop an environmentally and legally responsible action plan to limit the growth and spread of milfoil in the lakes in the City of Greater Sudbury. |
| Halton Environmental Network | The Meeting Hose – phragmites removal and re-naturalization project | The Halton Environmental Network will remove invasive Phragmites and replace them with native species at the Meeting House and host workshops to educate the community on native species, wetland restoration and Indigenous Reconciliation and Traditional Knowledge. |
| Hamilton Conservation Authority | Interpretive sign panel on invasive jumping worms | The Hamilton and Region Conservation Authority will install educational signage on jumping worms, to engage the community about the impacts they are having on the Dundas Valley Conservation Area and prevent their spread. |
| Indigenous Land Stewardship Circle | LDD Moth Egg Removal in High Park | The Indigenous Land Stewardship Circle will educate community members on how to identify and remove LDD moth eggs and host public engagement activities for removal in High Park, Toronto before snowmelt. |
| Junction Creek Stewardship Committee | Addressing erosion and biodiversity loss through invasive species management | The Junction Creek Stewardship Committee will address biodiversity loss and erosion concerns along Junction Creek by engaging with local stakeholders and volunteers to remove invasive plants and replace them with native plants. |
| Kensington Conservancy | Identifying and preventing the spread of invasive plant species | The Kensington Conservancy (TKC) will implement an educational campaign to create awareness about invasive species found in the St. Joseph Channel area and installation of boot brush stations to help prevent the spread of invasive plants. |
| Kettlecreek Conservation Authority (KCCA) | Dalewood Reservoir Woody Invasive Species Management | KCCA plans to manage woody invasive species and engage youth through hands on action manual work in the St. Thomas area. |
| Lake of the Woods | Settlement Sampler Zebra Mussel Monitoring Program | The Lake of the Woods District Stewardship Association will distribute settlement samplers and aquatic invasive species resources to the community to detect, monitor, and manage the population of zebra mussels in the Lake of the Woods Watershed. |
| Lambton Shores Phragmites Community Group | Port Frank’s Wetland Enhancement Project | Lambton Shores Phragmites Community Group will install educational signs to educate the Port Franks community and tourists visiting the area regarding the threat posed by Phragmites to wetlands and shorelines and provide information and instruction for property owners. |
| Little RES Q | Red-Eared Slider Sanctuary Exclusion Fencing | Little RES Q will install specialty perimeter fencing for their turtle sanctuary in Pefferlaw, Ontario to accommodate and contain invasive red-eared slider turtles, providing a safe place for pet surrender that will prevent pet release and protect native turtle species. |
| Maitland Trail Association (MTA) | Remove Common Buckthorn from the Maitland Woods | MTA would like to remove buckthorn safely and introduce Indigenous tree species and engage the public with ecosystem restoration for the Goderich area. |
| Manitoulin Streams | Lake Wosle and Rozel Bay Phrag Removal | The Manitoulin Streams Improvement Association will remove invasive Phragmites from Lake Wosley and Rozel Bay with the help of community volunteers to protect native species habitat and Species at Risk. |
| Municipality of Huron Shores | Invasive species and species at risk in Huron Shores | The Municipality of Huron Shores will educate staff on invasive species issues, install signage on boat cleaning and boot brushing, and install a CD3 roadside boat cleaning system for public use to protect Huron Shores wilderness from invasive species. |
| Niagara College | Restoration of native escarpment flora | The Ecosystem Restoration students at Niagara College will reduce and prevent the spread of Common Buckthorn (Rhamnus cathartica) through mechanical removal techniques in the Niagara escarpment, and prepare the area for restorative planting. |
| Ontario Nature | Common reed management at Lawson Nature Reserve | Ontario Nature will remove invasive Phragmites from Lawson Nature Reserve and work with volunteers to monitor and manage regrowth. |
| Ontario Turtle Conservation Centre | Minimizing the threat of invasive species to at- risk turtle populations | The Ontario Turtle Conservation Centre will help to reduce the threat of invasive Phragmites and red-eared sliders on at-risk turtle populations through education workshops, modules and communication channels. |
| Odoonabii Watershed Stewards | Jackson Park invasive species removal | The Odoonabii Watershed Stewards will recruit community volunteers to remove buckthorn from Jackson Park in Peterborough, Ontario and replace it with native, fast-growing trees and shrubs to provide benefits to both humans and wildlife. |
| Ottawa South Ecoaction Network | Providing education and action on invasive species in Ottawa South | The Ottawa South Ecoaction Network will educate and train local residents and students in the proper identification, removal and disposal of invasive species in Southern Ontario and partner with ongoing removal efforts in nearby communities to build trained volunteer capacity for local projects. |
| Phragmites Working Group Lake Bernard | Truxor Days support and invasive species management education for municipal workers | The Phragmites Working Group Lake Bernard will use large equipment to unload and load pre- cut invasive Phragmites into trucks for transport to safe disposal areas and will deliver invasive species education to department staff in order to assist in invasive Phragmites management. |
| Port Dover Waterfront Preservation Association | Purple loosestrife biological control initiative | The Port Dover Waterfront Preservation Association will implement biological control to manage invasive purple loosestrife in the Silver Lake basin. |
| Rideau Waterway Land Trust | Nicholson’s Point Wood Nature Reserve Property Management Plan | Rideau Waterway Land Trust will work with and educate property neighbours to create a property management plan for Nicholson Point Woods Nature Reserve to quantify the threat of invasive species and how to address them. |
| Rouge River Malvern Seedy Saturday Fair (ad hoc) | Weed Walks | Rouge River and The Seedy Saturday Fair will invite residents to participate in biweekly walks to learn about invasive species such as dog-strangling vine and garlic mustard and how they can help to eliminate them. |
| Sault Ste. Marie Golf Club (SGC) | Outreach, education and action! | The Sault Ste. Marie Golf Club will provide outreach and education on invasive species to promote a greater awareness of invasive species issues such as early detection and community science to increase public engagement. |
| Severn Sound Environmental Association | Penetanguishene Waterfront Park phragmites management and site restoration | The Severn Sound Environmental Association will work with the town of Penetanguishene and engage community groups and volunteers in stewardship activities to remove invasive Phragmites and restore habitat through planting native species at Champlain Wendat Park. |
| Sharbot Lake Property Owners Association | Invasive Eurasian watermilfoil baseline imaging project | The Sharbot Lake Property Owners’ Association will work with the GREC school aerial drone program to produce a fly-over of portions of Sharbot Lake affected by the Eurasian watermilfoil and produce imagery of the affected areas to form a basis for continued monitoring and planning of control efforts. |
| Thames Talbot Land Trust | Invasive species mapping and removal | TTLT will enhance and restore important wildlife habitats through the management of invasive species in three nature reserves, Mud Lake Reserve, Sitler Woods and Newport Forest. |
| Toronto Natuare Stewards | Toronto Nature Stewards pop- up invasive removal events | The Toronto Nature Stewards will host pop-up events to educate volunteers about invasive garlic mustard, dog-strangling vine and buckthorn identification, impacts, and removal. |
| Township of King | Township of King invasive species management | The Township of King will develop an Invasive Species Management Operating Strategy, educate and engage the community in invasive species management, and remove invasive buckthorn from Cold Creek Conservation Area and other locations. |
| Township of Tiny | Spotted knapweed and habitat restoration project | The Township of Tiny will work in partnership with the Severn Sound Environmental Association and community volunteers to remove spotted knapweed and restore sand dune habitat through planting native species at the coastal site Lafontaine Beach, Tiny. |
| Tree Fest Ottawa (lead) and Friends of Carlington Woods | Buckthorn removal | Tree Fest Ottawa will partner with Friends of Carlington Woods to organize staff and volunteers to remove a stand of buckthorn that is threatening a pollinator garden in Carlington, the Clyde Bee & Butterfly Patch, and replace it with native species. |
| University of Toronto | Early detection of invasive jumping worms using community science | Dr. Michael McTavish, University of Toronto, will engage community members from several organizations to raise awareness of jumping worms through fact sheets, guided hikes, and public presentations and to collect invaluable early detection and monitoring data using online surveys, field sampling kits, and reporting to EDDMapS. |
| University of Toronto | Incorporating Invasive plants into the existing monitoring programs | The Institute of Forestry & Conservation, University of Toronto will make an invasive plant species inventory and monitoring more explicit within the existing programs and engage and educate the public about invasive plants through their two inventory and monitoring programs. |
| Wollaston Lake Home and Cottage Association | Eurasian Milfoil Action Committee | The Wollaston Lake Home and Cottage Association will manage the infestation of Eurasian Milfoil in Wollaston Lake through broad community engagement and education. |
| Wye Marsh Wildlife Centre | Riparian buckthorn control project | The Wye Marsh Wildlife Centre will coordinate staff and volunteers to contain and suppress invasive buckthorn using mechanical methods in the riparian areas of the Wye Marsh National Wildlife Area. |
| Your Leaf | Volunteer stewardship events | LEAF will host volunteer stewardship events in naturalized areas around the city of Richmond Hill and the Township of King to remove invasive plants and ensure the establishment of newly planted native trees and shrubs. |
Summary of $5,000 Recipients
| Organization | Project Name | Location | Project Overview |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alderville Black Oak Savanna (BOS) | Invasive species control in grassland habitat | Eastern Ontario | The Alderville BOS will execute an invasive species control program on globally-rare grassland ecosystems as an integral part of Tallgrass Prairie and Black Oak Savanna habitat restoration. |
| City of Markham | LDD Tree Burlap Banding Kits | Central Ontario | The City of Markham will assist residents in the control of spongy moth by providing assembled tree banding kits. |
| City of Stratford | Removal of invasive species vegetation from TJ Dolan Natural Area | Southwestern Ontario | The City of Stratford will eliminate Japanese Knotweed, European Buckthorn and periwinkle from the TJ Dolan natural area. |
| Credit Valley Conservation | Forks of the Credit Centre for Biodiversity dog-strangling vine community collaborative project | Central Ontario | Credit Valley Conservation Authority will connect with private landowners to control invasive dog-strangling vine on public and private landowner properties in the environmentally significant area of Forks of the Credit Centre for Biodiversity. |
| Ganaraska Region Conservation Authority (GRCA) | Mobilizing against the spread | Eastern Ontario | The GRCA will remove several invasive species and involve students in environmental initiatives in the Ganaraska forest. |
| Halton Region Conservation Authority | From the ground up species invaders program | Central Ontario | Conservation Halton will grow the capacity of their Species Invaders program by supporting a class-set of invasive species removal equipment. |
| Lakehead University | Ontario Youth Naturalist program invasive species module expansion and pilot | Northeastern Ontario | Lakehead University will educate Ontario’s SHSM students and pilot a youth action plan project with Parks Canada, aiming for participation from students in Orillia, Sault Ste. Marie, Stayner and Elliott Lake. |
| Magnetawan First Nation | Education, management and prevention of invasive species | Northeastern Ontario | Magnetawan First Nation (MFN) will employ a community member to develop and apply invasive species management and prevention skills to develop a community-based action plan for the prevention and management of invasive species on MFN. |
| Mohawk Seedkeeper Gardens | Phase II wetland restoration | Southwestern Ontario | Mohawk Seedkeeper Gardens will use Indigenous Knowledge and ancestral responsibilities to focus on healing Mother Earth, through land restoration and spiritual connections. This includes purple loosestrife removal, habitat revitalization initiatives and a community education workshop. |
| Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority | E.C. Brown Wetland restoration project | Southwestern Ontario | Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority will use funds to cut and paint the largest invasive European black alder trees in the E.C. Brown Wetland, located in the Welland River floodplain. |
| Oakville Green | Invasive species awareness in action project | Central Ontario | Oakville Green’s Invasive Species Awareness and Action Project will train community members to identify and control the spread of invasive species in local woodlots and private properties in Oakville through workshops and hands-on removal events. |
| Ontario Streams | European buckthorn control and native revegetation project | Central Ontario | Ontario Streams will host events removing European buckthorn and planting native vegetation in headwater habitats within the Humber River Watershed. This is expected to lead to 3,066 m2 of habitat improved from invasive plant species removal and engage more than 100 volunteers. |
| Town of Midland | Little Lake Park Japanese knotweed removal | Central Ontario | The Town of Midland plans to manage the Japanese Knotweed growth in Little Lake Park. |
| Upper Thames River Conservation Authority | Savanna Restoration Project | Southwestern Ontario | Upper Thames River Conservation Authority will remove invasive plants and thinning pines in a sterile (non-productive) pine plantation in London, Ontario to create a diverse savanna and tallgrass prairie habitat. |
| Woolwich Township | Beating Back Buckthorn | Southwestern Ontario | Township of Woolwich Environmental Enhancement Committee will eradicate buckthorn in the Elmira Nature Reserve to protect native species with the help of community volunteers educated on invasive species issues and identification. |
Fiscal Year 2021 recipients
| Organization | Project Name | Project Overview |
|---|---|---|
| Aundeck Omni Kaning First Nation | Awareness to Weed Out Hogweed and Invasive Species | Community dissemination, tour to identify and provide proper equipment to remove hogweed and related species. |
| Chippewas of Georgina Island First Nation | Managing Invasive Species and Preserving TEK on Georgina Island First Nation | Reducing the introduction, establishment, and spread of invasive species while preserving Traditional plants with outreach and education initiatives on Georgina Island. |
| Corporation of the Township of Tiny | Play Clean Go Tiny | The Township of Tiny will host Invasive Species webinars and install a NAISMA Boot Brush Station and educational signage along the Tiny Trail, part of the Trans Canada Trail System. |
| EcoSuperior Environmental Programs | 5th Annual Garlic Mustard Invasive Plant Pull | EcoSuperior will host the 5th Annual Garlic Mustard Invasive Plant Pull at the McVicar Creek walking trail to control the spread of this harmful invasive in the Thunder Bay area. |
| Friends of Second Marsh | Let’s Dephrag the Marsh! – Public Education about Phragmites | To create a public awareness campaign about the impacts of Phragmites on our ecosystems and what can be done to manage its spread. |
| Goderich to Guelph Rail Trail Inc | G2G Citizen Science | Raising awareness of the trail community about differentiating invasive species and implementing action steps. |
| Grand Council Treaty #3 | Grand Council Treaty #3 Zebra Mussel Early Detection Program | The Territorial Planning Unit will work with Treaty #3 communities to create a network for early detection of zebra mussels in Treaty #3 territory. |
| Grey Sauble Conservation | Buckhorn Control at Massie Hills Management Unit | The reduction of Invasive Buckthorn shrubs in a managed forest that also includes several Species at Risk. |
| Kingston Indigenous Languages Nest | Mitigwakiing | The Enji-Goode project builds our capacity as an urban Indigenous community to promote biodiversity and manage invasive species. |
| Lake of the Woods District Stewardship Association | Zebra Mussel Settlement Sampler Community Workshops | Community workshops to construct zebra mussel samplers and learn how to prevent, monitor, and manage the spread of aquatic invasive species. |
| Lakehead University | Ontario Youth Naturalist Program: Invasive Species module | The Ontario Youth Naturalist Program’s Invasive species module enables youth to learn about invasives from Bob Bowles, and work with Parks Canada toward identification and eradication. |
| Manitoulin Streams Improvement Association | Smith Bay Creek Phragmites Removal | Removal of Phragmites from the mouth of Smith Bay Creek in order to protect native species and accessibility for migrating salmonids. |
| Missanabie Cree First Nation | Black Ash Inventory, Emerald Ash Borer Risk Assessment | Inventory black ash on MCFN reserve lands in summer of 2021, survey for existence of Emerald Ash Borer, collect black ash seeds. |
| Mohawk Seedkeeper Gardens | Indigenous Food Trees | Providing living examples of ancestral land management by enhancing community capacity and resiliency whilst preventing the spread of invasive species. |
| Municipality of Whitestone | Invasive Species Education Plan | Invasive species staff training, rate payer education and social media educational campaign. |
| Northumberland Land Trust | Dog-strangling vine control and native species replanting | To control dog-strangling vine and replant with native species |
| Oakvillegreen Conservation Association | Oakville Invasive Species Action Campaign | Building awareness among Oakville residents about the threats of invasive plant species and engaging them in hands-on action to restore the health of our urban forests. |
| Ontario Nature | Buckthorn and Garlic Mustard removal project at Lawson Nature Reserve | Ontario Nature will partner with nature clubs and the public to remove Buckthorn and Garlic Mustard at Lawson Nature Reserve. |
| rare Charitable Research Reserve | Communities for Conservation – Tackling Invasive Species with Action and Education through the Volunteer raresites Land Steward Program | Providing access to equipment, resources, and training to community members interested in monitoring trails and combatting invasive species at rare Charitable Research Reserve. |
| Severn Sound Environmental Association | Severn Sound Invasive Species Spotters | Volunteer citizen scientists will be recruited to collect scientific data on invasive Starry Stonewort in the Severn Sound area. |
| Society of Ecological Restoration, Niagara College Student Chapter | 6-Mile Riparian Restoration | Restoration of a portion of the 6-Mile creek on Niagara College Campus to remove invasive phragmites and naturalize the riparian buffer. |
| Toronto Master Gardeners | Invasive Species Awareness Initiative | Education of the gardening public by a team of specifically trained TMG’s with the goal of preventing and combatting the spread of invasive species. |
| Township of Woolwich | Fighting Phragmites | To mow, cut and control patches of phragmites in an area undergoing naturalization. |
| Whanapitae First Nation | Identifying Invasive Species of Whanapitae First Nation | Obtain proper knowledge, training, protocols, control, and awareness of what invasive species can be found in our community |
