Wednesday, September 10, 2025
The Ontario government is investing $180,000 in community-led projects to restore creeks and rivers on Manitoulin Island in the Lake Huron watershed, with the goal of improving water quality and strengthening local habitats.
The Manitoulin Streams Improvement Association will receive $100,000 through the province’s Great Lakes Program to rehabilitate Blue Jay Creek. The work includes removing invasive species, cleaning up plastic waste with the help of schools and First Nations groups, and restoring streams to support fisheries and biodiversity.
Another $80,000 was provided through the Ontario Community Environment Fund (OCEF), which channels penalties paid by polluters into environmental projects. That funding supported tree planting, stream bank stabilization, habitat restoration along the Manitou River, and fencing to keep livestock out of Grimesthorpe Creek.
“Clean water is vital to the health and well-being of Manitoulin Island’s communities, waterways and ecosystems,” said Todd McCarthy, Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks. “Our government is proud to support the work of local experts to restore these creeks, streams and rivers that benefit aquatic ecosystems and local fisheries — creating cleaner, healthier spaces to live, work and enjoy nature, while protecting Ontario’s environment for generations to come.”
The province says the projects will also encourage recreation and tourism on Manitoulin Island, while protecting coldwater streams that sustain local ecosystems.
Ontario has invested $83.4 million in 679 projects to safeguard the Great Lakes since 2018. Through OCEF, more than $3.8 million has been directed to 108 community-based projects since 2010.
Applications for the next round of OCEF funding — nearly $3 million in total — are open until September 24.
