PROTECTING SPECIES AT RISK AND THEIR HABITATS ACROSS ONTARIO

For Immediate Release
June 03, 2008

PROTECTING SPECIES AT RISK AND THEIR HABITATS ACROSS ONTARIO
McGuinty Government Invests $5 Million in Local Stewardship Projects

NEWS

Ontario is investing more than $5 million this year in volunteer stewardship projects across the province that will help protect and recover species at risk and their habitats.

The projects are part of the province’s $18-million, four-year Species at Risk Stewardship Fund.

Projects will achieve at least one of the following:

• Improve the status of species at risk and their habitats through stewardship and recovery activities
• Encourage involvement in stewardship activities through outreach, education or youth employment
• Educate landowners or groups about stewardship.

The projects will be led by landowners, First Nations, academic institutions, industries, municipalities, conservation organizations and others. The fund is part of the government’s stewardship-first approach to species protection.

QUOTES

“The many volunteers across the province who are undertaking projects through the stewardship fund are to be commended for their leadership and initiative,” said Natural Resources Minister Donna Cansfield.  “We must each do our part to protect and recover Ontario’s most vulnerable species and their habitats, ensuring they can be enjoyed today and by future generations.”

QUICK FACTS

• In 2007-2008, the Species at Risk Stewardship Fund allocated $3 million to support 85 projects focusing on outreach, recovery, and inventory and monitoring surveys.
• This year more than 100 projects received funding through the Species at Risk Stewardship Fund.
• Ontario is home to more than 30,000 species.  At present, more than 180 of these species are identified as being at risk.
• Once on the brink of extinction, largely due to the widespread use of pesticides such as DDT in the 1960s and 1970s, the peregrine falcon is making a comeback after 25 years of protection and recovery efforts on the part of the Ontario government and many partners. There are now more than 70 known pairs of peregrine falcons nesting in Ontario. 

LEARN MORE

Learn more about how you can protect species at risk in Ontario (ontario.ca/speciesatrisk)

Related Information

Backgrounder: LOCAL STEWARDSHIP PROJECTS RECEIVE FUNDING FOR SPECIES AT RISK PROTECTION

For More Information

Media Enquiries

David Bauer, Minister’s Office, 416-314-2212
Jolanta Kowalski, Communications Services Branch, 416-314-2106

General Enquiries

Natural Resources Information Centre
1-800-667-1940
TTY 1-866-686-6072 (Hearing Impaired)