NEWS RELEASE
LIZ SANDALS, MPP GUELPH
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Ontario is supporting Ontario Public Interest Research Group Guelph in collaboration with the city of Guelph’s River System Advisory Committee, Park Stewards with $25,000 to help fund local community engagement and improvement of river health.as part of the Great Lakes Guardian Community Fund.
The Great Lakes Guardian Community Fund provides grants to not-for-profit organizations, schools, First Nations and Métis communities and other groups to restore habitat, improve the health of lakes or rivers, clean up shorelines or strengthen water quality.
The project is focused on restoring the Speed and Eramosa river-lands to increase plant biodiversity, control invasive species, protect urban wildlife and pollinator’s habitat, and improve the overall ecological health of the river systems. The project will also involve an educational component for any community members about the importance of these restoration activities.
Projects supported by this year’s fund include:
- Reconnecting Delaware First Nation youth and community members to the Dizkaansiibii (Thames) River in the Lake Erie watershed through an educational canoe trip to improve the river’s health
- Enhancing biodiversity in a cold water stream by creating a spawning site for local fish and animal species in the Lake Ontario watershed
- Cleaning up shorelines, testing water quality and bringing back natural habitat to protect lakes, rivers and streams in the St. Lawrence and Ottawa River watershed
- Installing a rain garden in Nipigon’s downtown to treat runoff before it reaches the storm sewer, ditches and the Lake Superior watershed.
- Protecting and restoring the Great Lakes is part of Ontario's plan to create fairness and opportunity during this period of rapid economic change.
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“Ontarians in Great Lakes communities are doing their part and taking strong action to protect the water, wetlands and beaches around their hometowns. We’re proud to announce our ongoing support of many environmentally conscious, community-minded stewards who are passionate about keeping Ontario’s lakes and rivers drinkable, swimmable and fishable for everyone.” - Liz Sandals, MPP for Guelph
Quick facts
This year, Ontario is awarding over $1.5 million to over 60 local environmental projects across the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River basin.
The Great Lakes Guardian Community Fund provides up to $25,000 per project to restore and protect the Great Lakes and the rivers and streams that flow into them.
Since 2012, the Great Lakes Guardian Community Fund has helped more than 37,000 volunteers plant over 285,000 trees and shrubs, release over 800,000 fish, create or enhance 760 kilometres of trail and collect over 2,800 bags of garbage.
More than 98 per cent of Ontarians live in watersheds of the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River.
Research shows we can expect an economic return of up to $2 for every dollar we invest to improve the health of the Great Lakes.
Ontario’s Great Lakes Basin is home to about 40 per cent of Canada’s economic activity.
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