Ontario’s species at risk will continue to be protected by concerned citizens and groups running local environmental projects.Through support from the Species at Risk Stewardship Fund, 113 community projects will encourage people to become involved in helping at-risk plants and animals.

This year’s projects include restoring habitat for at-risk species, such as tallgrass prairie or wetlands and protecting species at risk, such as piping plover and Blanding’s turtle.

Since 2007, more than 400 projects were supported and have restored 646 hectares of vital habitat for vulnerable species — an area the size of about 900 soccer fields. They generated short-term jobs for almost 1,100 Ontarians and engaged more than 7,300 volunteers, who contributed an estimated 77,700 hours of work.

• More than $3.6 million will be granted to community projects through the Species at Risk Stewardship Fund this year.
• This year, Ontario will also provide $800,000 to farmers for projects to help them protect species at risk on their land, through the Species at Risk Farm Incentive Program.
• All of Ontario’s 141 threatened and endangered species are protected by the Endangered Species Act.
• Eighty per cent of species at risk in Ontario live within an hour’s drive of the Greater Toronto Area.
• 2010 is the International Year of Biodiversity.

• Species At Risk Stewardship Fund Projects 2010
• Learn more about Species at Risk in Ontario (ontario.ca/speciesatrisk).
• Find out what you can do to help protect species at risk and their habitats.