Conservation Authorities Support New Invasive Species Act

NEWMARKET – Ontario’s 36 Conservation Authorities are pleased to see final assent of the Invasive Species Act which is designed to address the urgent and growing problem of invasive species in Ontario.

Conservation Authorities work with the Province and other partners in many programs to address the threat of invasive species to the health of Ontario’s natural biodiversity and economy.

“We congratulate the Province for its work in developing this unique piece of legislation,” said Kim Gavine, General Manager of Conservation Ontario, the association which represents Conservation Authorities.

“We can continue to support the Province’s objectives around invasive species through existing Conservation Authority watershed management activities such as stewardship and watershed monitoring and look forward to any future collaborations that may be suggested.”

Invasive species such as Phragmites and Asian carp impact both our ecosystems and create significant costs to industries who rely on forests and Great Lakes.

Conservation Authorities currently address invasive species through a wide variety of means:

• Watershed plans
• Habitat restoration and rehabilitation
• Forest management, tree and shrub planting
• Natural heritage strategies/invasive species strategies
• Water quality and quantity programs
• Natural lands management
• Community outreach and education
• Monitoring and reporting
• Technical advice

Some Conservation Authorities provide online resources aimed at specific invasive species found in their watersheds and provide actions that people can take. A total of 15 Conservation Authorities are members of the Ontario Invading Species Awareness Program.