Thursday, September 4, 2025
The Ontario government is investing $9.6 million to restore and enhance wetlands across the province in an effort to protect communities from flooding, drought and other climate-driven weather events.
The funding, as part of the province’s Wetlands Conservation Partner Program, will support a wide range of projects that restore and enhance wetlands of all sizes with a focus on Great Lakes costal wetlands, ecoregions that have experienced significant ongoing loss and wetlands in more urban areas as part of municipal stormwater management. Eligible applicants include conservation organizations, municipalities, conservation authorities and Indigenous communities. Proposals are due by Oct 8.
“Wetlands make communities more resilient,” Environment, Conservation and Parks Minister Todd McCarthy said in a statement. “They act as natural infrastructure that protect our homes and businesses against drought and flooding, clean our water and create habitat for a variety of wildlife.”
Since the program launched five years ago, Ontario says nearly 9,900 acres of wetlands have been restored or enhanced, with projects concentrated in the Great Lakes basin, regions with significant habitat loss, and urban areas where wetlands are used for stormwater management.
The new investment will bring the province’s total contribution through the program to almost $41 million over two years. For every $2 in provincial funding, grant recipients must contribute at least $1 from non-provincial sources such as donors, foundations or other governments.
The province estimates that projects funded to date have prevented $10 million in flooding damage and created more than 270 green jobs in rural and near-urban communities.
The program has drawn support from conservation groups and municipalities. Ducks Unlimited Canada called wetlands “among our most valuable natural assets” and said the investment represents “an investment in the health of our landscapes and the well-being of our communities.”
The Association of Municipalities of Ontario also welcomed the announcement, calling wetlands restoration “an important step to support municipalities in building naturally resilient landscapes that protect homes and businesses across Ontario.”
