Niagara-on-the-Lake – The Ontario government is investing $5 million to help municipalities, Indigenous communities, conservation authorities and local organizations protect Ontario’s lands, lakes and rivers from phragmites, one of the province’s most harmful invasive plants. This investment will fund 119 projects, support nearly 200 good-paying local jobs and prevent this invasive species from spreading across the province. In Niagara, the funding is supporting local restoration efforts by the Town of Pelham, Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority and Niagara College.
“This critical provincial funding to fight the spread of phragmites in our local wetlands and waterways is another important step by our government to protect Ontario’s natural environment,” said Sam Oosterhoff, MPP for Niagara West.
“This investment is key in our fight against one of the most harmful invasive plants in the province and will help support habitat restoration efforts in our region, including by the Town of Pelham, Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority and Niagara College.”
“Protecting Ontario’s natural environment means taking action now against invasive species like phragmites, before they can do more damage,” said Hon. Mike Harris, Minister of Natural Resources.
“By investing $5 million in local partners, our government is moving to protect Ontario’s biodiversity, strengthen local economies and preserve the outdoor spaces that our families and communities enjoy.”
“Niagara College is proud to be a leader in advancing environmental stewardship and modeling commitment through action, working alongside valued partners across Niagara,” said Sean Kennedy, President of Niagara College.
“Education is an important tool to protect our natural environment for the future. We are grateful to the province for recognizing the value of colleges in demonstrating this collective responsibility, and for supporting important conservation efforts through funding for our campus mitigation initiatives.”
“The Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority has been the lead for phragmites management in our region since 2025,” said Rob Foster, Chair of the Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority.
“We thank the province for continuing to support this work and for recognizing that effective invasive species management takes sustained investment and collaboration.”
“The Town of Pelham is grateful for this funding that allows us to continue the crucial work to fight invasive phragmites located throughout our municipality,” said Marvin Junkin, Mayor of the Town of Pelham.
“This year we have been able to focus treatment on stormwater management ponds as we work to eradicate phragmites in vulnerable areas near the headwaters of the environmentally sensitive Twelve Mile Creek.”
“This critical funding will help restore natural habitats at the Daniel J. Patterson Campus in Niagara-on-the-Lake,” said Erwin Wiens, Deputy Lord Mayor of the Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake.
“This collaborative approach in our fight against phragmites – which threatens natural areas and sensitive farmland, including vineyards and tender fruit orchards – is key to our efforts to eliminate this highly invasive plant.”
The Invasive Phragmites Control Fund, administered by the Invasive Species Centre and the Nature Conservancy of Canada, coordinates and supports phragmites prevention and control across Ontario. This year’s funding will support projects focused on mapping, monitoring and preventative activities.
The investment will support 119 recipients, including Niagara College, which will manage phragmites at its Welland Campus and Daniel J. Patterson Campus in Niagara-on-the-Lake; the Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority, which will map and manage phragmites across the watershed, and the Town of Pelham, which will treat environmentally sensitive stormwater management ponds to help control the spread of phragmites.
“Phragmites are one of the most damaging invasive plants in Ontario, threatening our wetlands, shorelines and the natural spaces that communities value,” said Dawn Gallagher Murphy, Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Natural Resources.
“With this $5 million investment, our government is fighting invasive species, restoring affected ecosystems and protecting Ontario’s communities and natural heritage for future generations.”
Invasive species are a leading cause of biodiversity loss in Ontario, with an estimated economic impact of $3.6 billion each year across key sectors such as agriculture, fisheries, forestry, healthcare, tourism and outdoor recreation. Today’s announcement builds on the government’s $2 million investment announced in June to support more than 110 community-led projects. Since 2024, Ontario has invested $16 million in invasive species management, prevention and control, supporting nearly 600 projects across the province.