Ontario Protecting Lands and Waterways from Harmful Invasive Species

NIAGARA — The Ontario government is investing $5 million to help municipalities, Indigenous communities, conservation authorities and local organizations protect Ontario’s lands, lakes and rivers from phragmites, one of the province’s most harmful invasive plants. This investment will fund 119 projects, support nearly 200 good-paying local jobs and prevent this invasive species from spreading across the province.

“Protecting Ontario’s natural environment means taking action now against invasive species like phragmites, before they can do more damage,” said Mike Harris, Minister of Natural Resources. “By investing $5 million in local partners, our government is moving to protect Ontario’s biodiversity, strengthen local economies and preserve the outdoor spaces that our families and communities enjoy.”

The Invasive Phragmites Control Fund, administered by the Invasive Species Centre and the Nature Conservancy of Canada, coordinates and supports phragmites prevention and control across Ontario. This year’s funding will support projects focused on mapping, monitoring and preventative activities.

The investment will support 119 local recipients, including:

• Niagara College, which will manage phragmites at its Welland and Niagara-on-the-Lake campuses.
• Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority, which will map and manage phragmites across the watershed.
• Town of Pelham, which will treat environmentally sensitive stormwater management ponds to help control the spread of phragmites.

“Phragmites are one of the most damaging invasive plants in Ontario, threatening our wetlands, shorelines and the natural spaces that communities value,” said Dawn Gallagher Murphy, Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Natural Resources. “With this $5 million investment, our government is fighting invasive species, restoring affected ecosystems and protecting Ontario’s communities and natural heritage for future generations.”

Invasive species are a leading cause of biodiversity loss in Ontario, with an estimated economic impact of $3.6 billion each year across key sectors such as agriculture, fisheries, forestry, healthcare, tourism and outdoor recreation. Today’s announcement builds on the government’s $2 million investment announced in June to support more than 110 community-led projects. Since 2024, Ontario has invested $16 million in invasive species management, prevention and control, supporting nearly 600 projects across the province.

• Invasive phragmites is one of Ontario’s most harmful invasive plants. It spreads quickly and forms dense stands that crowd out native plants and damage wetlands, beaches and wildlife habitat. It is difficult to remove because of its extensive root system that allows it to take over large areas.
• This year’s $5 million investment includes $3.1 million for the Invasive Species Centre and $1.9 million for the Nature Conservancy of Canada to implement phragmites prevention and control activities across Ontario. The funding is being delivered through the Ontario Phragmites Action program, which works with local partners and experts to manage and control invasive phragmites in communities across Ontario.
• The Invasive Species Act currently lists 42 species, four groups, one family and two carriers as invasive. The Act gives Ontario tools to restrict or ban certain invasive species and limit how they are spread.