PRESS RELEASE
CENTER FOR INVASIVE SPECIES
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Thanks to an investment from Ontario’s Ministry of Natural Resources, the Invasive Species Centre is supporting 97 new collaborative action projects between citizen groups, Indigenous organizations and communities on critical invasive species issues. This includes a project with Landscape Ontario Horticultural Trades Association, a non-profit organization based in the Niagara Region.
With this funding, Landscape Ontario will increase surveillance and training for early detection of invasive species likely to enter Canada, including the spotted lanternfly. The spotted lanternfly feeds on a wide variety of native deciduous and fruit trees and poses a threat to nurseries and several other industries. Landscape Ontario will expand training on spotted lanternfly identification and capture for community scientists so that all sightings can be accurately identified and quickly reported to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency. The training will include trees of heaven, a preferred host tree species of the spotted lanternfly that is widespread throughout Ontario.
Invasive species are plants, animals, insects and pathogens that are introduced into an ecosystem outside their natural range and cause environmental, economic or social harm. These species damage lakes, land, forests and communities and are the second greatest threat to biodiversity globally. Ontario has the highest number of invasive species in Canada, causing an estimated $3.6 billion in damage to forestry, fisheries, agriculture, infrastructure, tourism and recreation in the province each year.
“The Invasive Species Centre is pleased to support local community efforts to limit the spread of invasive species affecting Ontario’s parks, forests and lakes,” says Sarah Rang, Executive Director of the Invasive Species Centre. “The goal of these community-led efforts is to create long-term positive changes to the landscape that reduce the impacts of invasive species on natural areas and Ontario’s economy.”
Since 2021, the Invasive Species Centre has funded 257 projects across the province that help protect natural areas from the impacts of invasive species. In Southwestern Ontario, the Invasive Species Action Fund is pleased to support 34 organizations in 2024, including:
- Birds Canada
- Bruce Trail Conservation Area
- City of Hamilton
- County of Dufferin
- Foundation for the Preservation of Credit Valley
- House of Freedom
- Hamilton Conservation Foundation
- Hamilton Naturalists Club
- Hamilton Wentworth Green Venture
- Heartland Forest Nature Experience
- Landscape Ontario Horticultural Trades Association
- McMaster University
- Ontario Woodlot Association
- rare non-profit research reserve
- Royal Botanical Garden
- Scouts Canada
- The Niagara Parks Foundation
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