New Funding Supports Community-Led Conservation Efforts Across The Province
“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.” – Ontario Todd McCarthy, Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks
News from the Government of Ontario
Posted February 12th, 2026 on Niagara At Large
This image accompanies news released by the non-profit citizens group Environmental Defence just this past lyear (2025). See a link for the Environmental Defence news release at the bottom of this post.
A Brief Foreword Note from Doug Draper at Niagara At Large – To say that Ontario Premier Doug Ford’s government has a poor record when it comes to environmental protection and conserving our province’s natural heritage would be an understatement, to say the least.
With that said, I am posting this news release from the Ford government for the record and with faint hope that it may signal even a slight change in the 
government’s ways. There again, I wonder how many days or hours go by until Ford and company nullify this step forward by taking another two or three steps back in protecting and preserving our natural world from more low-density urban sprawl and unnecessary road and highway construction.
You are invited to offer your comment to all of this in the space below this post.
And now, here is the Ford government’s news release –
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.
Quick Facts
- Since 2018, Ontario has invested $33 million in over 220 conservation and stewardship projects, creating more than 2,355 jobs and restoring nearly 50,000 acres of habitat for species at risk.
- The new Species Conservation Program allows funding for land securement for the first time, helping protect ecologically significant areas that support species at risk.
- In 2024, children and their families completed 99,534 Earth Rangers missions through the app — actions like planting pollinator gardens and leading litter cleanups.
Quotes
“Earth Rangers is thrilled to see the Government of Ontario making such a substantial investment in the important and innovative work taking place across the province to protect species at risk and for recognizing the importance of engaging kids and families in these efforts. Our project will lead to meaningful actions like removing invasive species, contributing to habitat connectivity, and participating in citizen science by thousands of young Ontarians.” – Tovah Barocas, President, Earth Rangers
“This important investment from the Government of Ontario will enable the Ontario Turtle Conservation Centre to continue our unique approach to turtle conservation for years to come. Our dedicated staff, and hundreds of incredible volunteers, use investments like this to rehabilitate injured turtles and return them safely to their home wetlands. Support from MECP’s Species Conservation Program enables us to work with volunteers of all ages to protect Ontario’s turtle populations for future generations.” – Colin Cassin,
Vice-Chair, Ontario Turtle Conservation Centre
“Ducks Unlimited Canada is grateful for the Government of Ontario’s commitment to protecting species at risk and their habitats across the province. Wetlands are biodiversity hotspots, providing essential habitat for many at-risk amphibians, birds, reptiles and plants. This funding will support the creation of new wetlands and help secure existing ones through restoration, monitoring and invasive species management. Ducks Unlimited Canada looks forward to continuing its collaboration with conservation organizations, First Nations, landowners and the Ontario government to deliver impactful, science-based conservation on the ground.” – Marie-Paule Godin,
Manager of Provincial Operations, Ontario, Ducks Unlimited Canada
“Monarch conservation is a shared responsibility, and this multi-year funding recognizes the importance of collaboration and long-term commitment. It will support large-scale habitat restoration in areas critical to the monarch’s life cycle, helping secure their future along this vital migration corridor. We’re grateful for this support and eager to work with partners and communities to fill knowledge gaps, engage citizen scientists and strengthen monarch conservation efforts.” – Michelle Karam, Executive Director, Land Care Niagara
“Georgian Bay Forever is grateful for this investment in community-driven conservation across Ontario. Restoring wetlands and removing invasive Phragmites helps protect at-risk species while safeguarding clean drinking water, resilient shorelines and safe places for recreation. We look forward to working with partners and communities to protect the biodiversity and water quality that sustain us all.” – David Sweetnam, Executive Director, Georgian Bay Forever
“Investment in this work at this time is critical to ensuring healthy, genetically diverse forests for future generations.” – Kerry McLaven, CEO, Forest Gene Conservation Association
“We congratulate the Government of Ontario on this substantial investment in supporting biodiversity through the Species Conservation Program. The program changes that allow for land securement are especially notable for protecting the ecologically significant areas that species at risk rely on. The goal of conserving Ontario’s biodiverse landscapes lies at the heart of the land trust movement in the province. We celebrate our collaboration with the Government of Ontario, delivering results through this and other successful programs, such as the Greenlands Conservation Partnership Program. ” – Alison Howson, Executive Director, Ontario Land Trust Alliance
Additional Resources
Learn more about the Species Conservation Program
Read about species at risk in Ontario
For a 2025 News Release from the citizens group Environmental Defence on the Ford government and species at risk in Ontario, click on the following link – https://environmentaldefence.ca/2025/09/29/ontario-government-saddles-federal-government-with-exclusive-responsibility-for-106-species-at-risk/
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