Federal government announces $9M for Conservation Ontario

Yorkregion.com
Aug. 10, 2021

More money is coming to conserve lands across southern Ontario from the federal government.

Deb Schulte, minister of seniors and MP for King-Vaughan, announced $9 million in funding for Conservation Ontario at Rogers Reservoir in Holland Landing July 28.

Through approximately 63 projects, Conservation Ontario and regional conservation authorities will implement a variety of conservation activities on grasslands and wetlands, including protecting more land, restoring wetlands, and enhancing agricultural management.

The initiative will help fight climate change by capturing and storing carbon and making our communities more resilient. It will also support biodiversity, including species at risk and migratory birds.

The initiative is among 14 projects to receive funding from the Nature Smart Climate Solutions Fund that are projected to conserve up to 30,000 hectares; restore up to 6,000 hectares; and contribute to the enhanced management of up to 18,000 hectares of wetlands, grasslands, and riparian areas across Canada.

"Embracing the power of nature has many benefits; for climate change, our economy and for the health and well-being of people. To take care of ourselves, we must take care of nature," Schulte said.

Also on hand for the announcement were East Gwillimbury Mayor Virginia Hackson, Newmarket-Aurora MP Tony Van Bynen and Conservation Ontario chair Andy Mitchell.

"With this investment, conservation authorities will be able to implement nature-based projects that will ensure positive outcomes for our environment and Canada’s future," Van Bynen said.

Mitchell mentioned two projects in the Credit Valley Conservation area that will be using some of the funds at Island Park Conservation Area near Orangeville and Rattray Marsh Conservation Area in Mississauga. "They will be creating corridors between swamp and forest communities, improving water quality with riparian restoration as well as enhancing meadow and other habitats," Mitchell said.

Van Bynen told the assembled audience that Rogers Reservoir is part of the Lake Simcoe Conservation Area and a place many residents in the area like to visit.

"Many of our residents may know this place better as part of the Nokiidaa Trail. But many may not know that Nokiidaa in the Ojibwe language means walking together. And walking together is exactly what we are doing today with our conservation authorities," he said.