Thanks to an investment from the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, the Invasive Species Centre is supporting 116 new projects across Ontario led by community groups, Indigenous organizations, municipalities, and conservation authorities on critical invasive species issues through the Invasive Species Action Fund.

Invasive species are plants, animals, insects, and pathogens that are introduced to an ecosystem outside of their native range and cause harm to the environment, economy, or society. These species damage 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.

“Our government is proud to support the Invasive Species Action Fund and the incredible work the Invasive Species Centre does with our partners to protect Ontario from invasive species,” says Hon. Mike Harris, Minister of Natural Resources.

“These over 100 projects across the province—spanning from Thunder Bay to the GTA, and Georgian Bay to Kitchener—will have a meaningful impact over the next three years.”

One community that is tackling this issue in southern Ontario is the Corporation of the City of Windsor.

This project aims to enhance invasive species management in important natural areas across Windsor by expanding mapping and control efforts, with a focus on species like wild parsnip, honeysuckle, tree-of-heaven, dog-strangling vine, autumn olive, black locust, and Japanese knotweed.

Building on a project funded by the Invasive Species Action Fund in 2024, the City of Windsor will map and manage invasive species across the Ojibway Prairie Complex and other local parks, contributing to species at risk recovery, ecosystem health, and public safety.

“The Invasive Species Centre is proud to support community-driven efforts that take real action to prevent the spread of invasive species in parks, forests, and lakes,” says Colin Cassin, Executive Director, Invasive Species Centre.

“By investing in these local initiatives, we’re helping to build long-term resilience across the landscape—safeguarding natural ecosystems and all that depend on them.”

Since 2021, the Invasive Species Centre has funded 372 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 southern Ontario, including the following:

• Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority
• Birds Canada
• Corporation of Norfolk County
• Federation of Ontario Naturalists (operating as Ontario Nature)
• Grand River Conservation Authority
• Grey County
• Grey Sauble Conservation Authority
• Homegrown Society
• Kettle Creek Conservation Authority
• Kincardine Trails Association
• Maitland Trail Association
• rare Charitable Research Reserve
• Ruthven Park National Historic Site
• St Williams Conservation Reserve Community Council
• The Corporation of the City of Windsor
• University of Waterloo

To learn more about the Invasive Species Action Fund, visit www.invasivespeciescentre.ca/grants