1 MEDIA STATEMENT Invasive Species Centre and Ontario

MEDIA STATEMENT
Invasive Species Centre and Ontario Invasive Plant Council Receive Grant from Ontario Trillium Foundation to
Fund Early Detection and Rapid Response Network Ontario Project
SAULT STE. MARIE, ON – The Ontario Trillium Foundation has generously awarded $339,200 to the Invasive Species
Centre (ISC), in partnership with the Ontario Invasive Plant Council (OIPC), to establish an Early Detection and
Rapid Response (EDRR) Network Ontario project. The initiative aims to systematically create, train and equip EDRR
networks to provide eyes on the ground to detect, respond to, and control invasive plants and insects in four pilot
areas in Southern and Northern Ontario. Invasive plants and insects are introduced to Canada from elsewhere, and
if allowed to establish, will take over the ecosystem, altering it irreversibly to the detriment of the environment,
economy and social enjoyment.
“Our government is committed to fighting the threat of invasive species and has demonstrated this with the
introduction of the Invasive Species Act and our continued funding and support of projects which target invasive
species,” said David Orazietti, MPP for Sault Ste. Marie. “This grant will enable the Invasive Species Centre and the
Ontario Invasive Plant Council to co-operatively develop Early Detection and Rapid Response initiatives that will
help to protect Ontario’s ecosystems.”
Invasive species are expensive to control and eradicate, and can lead to a loss of valuable greenspace, trees and
plants. For example, the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) has killed over one million trees in southwestern Ontario. The
City of Toronto estimates it will cost $37 million over five years to cut and replace the city-owned trees that are
killed by EAB, and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has spent over $30 million and cut over 130,000
trees to slow the spread of the beetle. The early detection of, and rapid response to, invasive species increases the
possibility of controlling and potentially eradicating these species before they become established, spread
uncontrollably and become a costly and difficult issue to resolve.
”Invasive plants have an impact on Ontario’s biodiversity in many ways. For example they can outcompete native
plants for space, light and water leading to impoverished ecosystems that support fewer species of insects, birds,
and other animals and plants. They can also have profound impacts on our agricultural economy,” said Iola Price,
Ontario Invasive Plant Council President.
The grant will be used to set up EDRR networks in four areas: Halton Region, Region of Peel, Sault Ste. Marie and
Thunder Bay. The backbone of the network will be volunteers, landowners and community groups, who will be
trained and guided by experts including members of conservation groups and representatives of conservation
authorities.
Volunteers who participate in the network will be trained to identify, report, track and control invasive plants and
insects. Licensed herbicide applicators will be trained in herbicide application to control invasive plants. Resources
such as guidebooks, best management practices, videos, outreach materials, and management protocols will be
consolidated in easy-to-access digital spaces to support the work of the network.
The control and management of invasive species will help to restore sensitive areas, increase local biodiversity and
improve the habitat that supports a diversity of plants and wildlife. In addition, these efforts will help to reduce, or
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avoid altogether, the hefty costs to the public and private pocketbooks when invasive species become established.
This work will be carried out on public and private lands with specific sites to be identified in consultation with
conservation authorities and landowners in the pilot areas. This project will also provide the opportunity for
volunteers to get outside and work together on community improvement projects, and for youth to develop an
attachment to the environment.
“This project will help fill gaps by building capacity for community members to work with experts to become
engaged, trained and empowered in invasive species identification, control and local environmental stewardship,”
said Dilhari Fernando, Executive Director of the Invasive Species Centre. “This work will increase awareness of
invasive species among citizens, develop a stronger environmental ethic at the community level and support
hands-on work to more rapidly detect and reduce invasive species in our province.”
Staff from the ISC and OIPC will provide leadership for this work. Open houses and training sessions will be held in
each pilot area to raise awareness of this project, recruit and train volunteers. The public can become involved by
volunteering or by donating expertise and time. For more information, please contact the ISC at
[email protected], or the OIPC at [email protected].
About the Invasive Species Centre and Ontario Invasive Plant Council:
The Invasive Species Centre is a non-profit, non-governmental organization that connects stakeholders, knowledge
and technology to prevent and reduce the spread of invasive species that harm Canada’s environment, economy
and society. The Invasive Species Centre: brings together experts; supports, coordinates and leads projects; and
communicates findings and outcomes to prevent the spread of harmful invasive species. Visit our website at
www.invasivespeciescentre.ca.
The OIPC is a not-for-profit organization, dedicated to the collaboration and coordination of government agencies,
citizens, and NGOs, academia, First Nations and industry in their work to prevent the introduction and spread of
invasive plant species. The OIPC provides leadership, expertise, and a forum to engage and share information on
invasive plant species in Ontario. Visit our website at www.ontarioinvasiveplants.ca.
The Ontario Trillium Foundation is an agency of the Government of Ontario.
For more information please contact:
Deborah Sparks
Manager, Corporate Affairs
Invasive Species Centre
705-541-5771
[email protected]
www.invasivespeciescentre.ca
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