Ontario Supports Environmental Action in St. Thomas to Continue Protecting and Restoring the Great Lakes
Government investing $1.9 million in 38 Great Lakes projects across the province
St. Thomas, Ontario — The Ontario government is investing more than $23,000 in the Lake Margaret Habitat Restoration Project through the Great Lakes Local Action Fund that will help build healthier communities while protecting and improving the health of the Great Lakes and their connecting waters.
The project involves the removal of 6 invasive species and the planting of 500 native trees/shrubs and 1,000 wildflowers totaling 40 acres of restored habitat around Lake Margaret in the City of St. Thomas. Community involvement including the Kettle Creek Environmental Trust, the Kettle Creek Environmental Youth Corps and residents of the Lake Margaret neighbourhood will be engaged through volunteer planting and invasive species removal.
“We are pleased to announce funding of over $23,000 for the Lake Margaret Habitat Restoration Project,” said Rob Flack, MPP for Elgin-Middlesex-London. “Protection of our province’s habitat is a priority of our government. This important community project engages many local organizations and residents of the Lake Margaret neighbourhood. It will benefit all residents of St. Thomas that enjoy visiting Pinafore Park and walking around Lake Margaret.”
This project is among 38 community-based projects to receive $1.9 million in funding from the Great Lakes Local Action Fund. Since 2021, the province has invested $3.8 million through the Great Lakes Local Action Fund to support 82 projects in communities across Ontario.
“Through this investment, we’re supporting innovative projects led by Ontario municipalities, community-based organizations, conservation authorities, small businesses and Indigenous communities that are protecting and restoring the Great Lakes and their connecting waters,” said David Piccini, Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks. “Project grants from the Great Lakes Local Action Fund are helping communities and organizations promote environmental stewardship and take action in their own backyards.”
In its first year, the Great Lakes Local Action Fund supported restoration projects that engaged over 7,000 volunteers to help plant over 44,000 trees and 15,000 shrubs to support diverse and resilient shoreline habitats. These projects helped clean up more than 26,000 pounds of litter and restore and protect over 860 acres of vital greenspace and wetlands. Ontario invests approximately $14 million per year in actions to protect and restore the Great Lakes, including projects that support commitments in the Canada-Ontario Agreement on Great Lakes Water Quality and Ecosystem Health and Ontario’s Great Lakes Strategy.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
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MEDIA CONTACTS
Office of Rob Flack MPP Elgin-Middlesex-London
Deb Ransom
519-631-5995
rob.flack@pc.ola.org |