The funding will be spread across approximately 100 projects, seeking to restore more than 2,400 acres of wetlands.
Ducks Unlimited Canada has planned 40 wetland restoration projects in southern Ontario. All are meant to improve water quality, provide habitat for at-risk species and increase climate change resiliency.
The Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority has 21 wetland restoration and enhancement projects planned. The aim is to increase volume of water storage, manage invasive species, improve biodiversity, provide water filtration, and reduce erosion in the Lake Huron watershed.
The Elgin Stewardship Council and Essex Region Conservation Authority both have three projects planned in the Lake Erie watershed. A major project for Hillman Marsh to improve the shoreline and mitigate erosion is set to be implemented.
The Nature Conservancy of Canada has planned 13 projects across southern Ontario. All of which support coastal wetlands along Lake Huron, Lake St. Clair, Turkey Point in Lake Erie and Eastern Lake Ontario.
The Thames Talbot Land Trust plans to restore nine local wetlands by removing non-native invasive species such as Phragmites, Reed Canary Grass, Garlic mustard, Buckthorn and other non-native shrubs.
The St. Clair Region Conservation Authority also plans to manage invasive species threatening coastal wetland habitat in the McLean and Bates conservation lands within Lake Erie watershed.
The province also intends to support new projects and is encouraging municipalities, conservation organizations and Indigenous communities to apply for the remaining funding under the program from August 8 to September 12, 2023.
In the Lake Ontario watershed, three wetland enhancement projects led by the Royal Botanical Gardens, including Rock Chapel and two coastal wetlands, one in Cootes Paradise and the second in Grindstone Marsh, will enhance wetland habitats and connectivity, help manage invasive species and improve resiliency impacts such as extreme water levels in the lake.
"We’re very proud of these historic investments and to be working with conservation organizations and municipalities to restore and enhance the health of wetlands in Ontario," Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks David Piccini said.
