Thanks to an investment from the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, the Invasive Species Centre is supporting 112 new projects across Ontario led by municipalities, Indigenous organizations, conservation authorities, community groups, and non-profit organizations on critical invasive species issues through the Invasive Species Action Fund (ISAF).
Invasive species impact lakes, land, forests, and communities, and are the second greatest threat to biodiversity worldwide. Ontario has the highest number of invasive species in Canada, which are responsible for an estimated $3.6 billion dollars of impact each year to forestry, fisheries, agriculture, infrastructure, tourism, and recreation in the province. They often limit access to outdoor spaces and common recreation such as swimming, boating, and hiking, and in some cases, even pose a risk to human health.
One organization who is tackling this issue in southwestern Ontario is Landscape Ontario.
Landscape Ontario is expanding early detection and monitoring efforts for emerging invasive forest and nursery pests across southern Ontario, including spotted lanternfly, hemlock woolly adelgid, beech leaf disease, oak wilt, and elm zigzag sawfly. The project will support surveillance at nurseries and high-risk host sites, track key information on pest biology and spread, and strengthen sector preparedness through training and outreach.
By working with growers, garden centres, industry partners, and government agencies, Landscape Ontario will build a network of trained professionals and citizen scientists equipped to identify and report invasive pests, helping to improve early detection, inform management strategies, and protect forests, nurseries, and landscapes in Ontario.
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“The best way to protect Ontario from invasive species is by preventing them from spreading,” said Mike Harris, Minister of Natural Resources. “That’s why our government is investing $2 million to give communities the tools they need to keep our waterways and forests safe for families across Ontario to enjoy.”
“This provincial funding for the early detection of forest and nursery pests in Niagara – in partnership with the Invasive Species Centre and Landscape Ontario – is critical to protecting our regional land and water resources from invasive species,” said Sam Oosterhoff, MPP for Niagara West. “This funding will not only protect our natural environment, but support our local grape and wine industry and other commodity crops, as well as preserving green space and agritourism attractions in our region.”
“Managing invasive species is an important commitment that requires action and collaboration at the local level. These projects help protect ecosystems, biodiversity, and the people that rely on them. They build the knowledge, partnerships, and capacity needed to address invasive species into the future.” – Colin Cassin, Executive Director, Invasive Species Centre.
“Our sector aims to be a leader for environmental and ecological sustainability in the province. The ISAF funding has enabled increased capacity for our sector to address invasive species – both invasive plants and new pests.” – Philip Pieper, Pieper Nurseries, co-chair, Landscape Ontario Growers’ Sector Group.
Since 2021, the Invasive Species Centre has partnered with Ministry of Natural Resources to fund 485 projects across the province that help protect natural spaces from the impacts of invasive species. This round of funding from the Invasive Species Action Fund supports several organizations in southwestern Ontario, including the following:
- City of Cambridge
- Corporation of the County of Grey
- Escarpment Biosphere Conservancy
- Friends of Hullett
- Grey Highlands Secondary School (Bluewater District School Board)
- Kettle Creek Conservation Authority
- Maitland Trail Association
- Ontario Farmland Trust
- Ontario Nature Incorporated
- rare Charitable Research Reserve
- Ruthven Park National Historic Site
- St Williams Conservation Reserve Community Council
- The Corporation of the City of Sarnia
- Township of Woolwich Environmental Enhancement Committee (TWEEC)
- Waterloo Region Nature Inc.
- The Regional Municipality of Waterloo
- Corporation of Norfolk County
- Long Point Region Conservation Authority
- Walpole Island First Nation
- Grand River Conservation Foundation
- Ducks Unlimited Canada
- Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters (OFAH)
- Landscape Ontario
To Learn more about the Invasive Species Action Fund, visit www.invasivespeciescentre.ca/grants
About Landscape Ontario
With more than 2,500 professional members, Landscape Ontario is the province’s premier horticultural trades association. Their mission is to be the leader in representing, promoting, and fostering a favourable climate for the advancement of the horticulture industry in Ontario. Landscape Ontario is a dynamic association offering professional development opportunities, industry trade shows and conferences, consumer events and cost savings benefits.
