The grant is part of a $4.8 million initiative called the “Canada Nature Fund for Aquatic Species at Risk”, which will be invested in areas across Ontario. The Halton program will engage with landowners on Bronte, Fourteen Mile and Sixteen Mile Creeks to help enhance habitats and conduct SAR research to preserve aquatic wildlife.
The grant was welcomed by Milton MP Adam van Koeverden:
“Halton is home to a number of aquatic species at risk, and this funding will help support the vital work that the Conservation Halton Foundation does to preserve and rebuild their fragile ecosystems.”
Conservation Halton works to preserve an area of 1,000 square kilometres of land, including 17 creeks and 26 kilometres of Lake Ontario shoreline. It identifies more than 190 at-risk species in Ontario and helps protect them by practicing forest management, maintaining trails and fighting invasive species, like giant hogweed. It also maintains selected conservation areas while opening them up for visitors.
Environmental organizations like this often use tools like brochure printing and educational programming to inform residents about endangered species in their local area.
The grant was announced in late November, and will be put to use by Conservation Halton in the months and years to come.