Queen’s Park is stepping in to assist Oshawa and the Central Lake Ontario Conservation Authority (CLOCA) with efforts to restore the Second Marsh.
Ontario is providing $1,008,460 in funding for this initiative.
The Second Marsh is a wetland area located south of Colonel Sam Drive in Oshawa.
“Oshawa Second Marsh provides critical natural infrastructure – including habitat for species at risk,” said Todd Mc Carthy, Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks. “Through the Species Conservation Program, our investment will strengthen long-term resilience and support habitat restoration for the species that depend on it.”
The city states that this funding will aid the Oshawa Second Marsh Restoration and Resilience Plan by supporting specific habitat restoration and enhancement projects aimed at boosting the marsh’s long-term climate resilience and ecological health.
“We are grateful for the Ontario Government’s significant investment in the Oshawa Second Marsh, one of our community’s most valuable natural assets,” said Oshawa Mayor Dan Carter. “This funding will help advance restoration work to support local species at risk and strengthen the marsh’s ecosystem.”
In the coming four years, CLOCA will work alongside various partners such as Ducks Unlimited Canada, Friends of Second Marsh, and the Hamilton-Oshawa Port Authority (HOPA) to restore and enhance essential wetland and coastal habitats. This focused effort aims to improve climate resilience while actively aiding local species at risk like the Least Bittern, Blanding’s Turtle, and American Eel.
This project has also previously received $1,614,500 from the Canada Water Agency through its Great Lakes Freshwater Ecosystem Initiative.
The two grants will facilitate a thorough restoration strategy centered on species at risk and habitat improvement while further reinforcing both climate resilience and ecological integrity within Oshawa Second Marsh.
“The Second Marsh is one of the largest coastal marshes on the north shore of Lake Ontario, providing important habitats and vital ecological services,” said Chris Darling, CAO of CLOCA. “The funding from the province supports CLOCA’s ability to continue working alongside our valued partners to advance climate resilience, improve habitats and further enhance the health of the marsh ecosystem.”
Project details and updates are available on CLOCA’s Second Marsh Restoration webpage here.
Photo courtesy aj groen
If you have found a spelling error, please notify us by selecting that text and pressing Ctrl+Enter.
Source link
