Municipalities, conservation authorities, Indigenous communities, and other incorporated not-for-profit organizations are encouraged to apply<\/p>\n
NEWS RELEASE
\nINVASIVE SPECIES CENTRE
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\nThanks to an investment from the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, the Invasive Species Centre is accepting proposals to the Invasive Species Action Fund (ISAF) to facilitate on-the-ground monitoring and management of critical invasive species in Ontario. Municipalities, conservation authorities, Indigenous communities, and other incorporated not-for-profit organizations are encouraged to apply.<\/p>\n
Invasive species are plants, animals, insects, and pathogens that are introduced to an ecosystem outside of their native range and cause harm to the environment, economy, or society. As one of the top threats to biodiversity worldwide, invasive species negatively impact lakes, forests, cultural spaces and resources, and recreational sites. Globally, the impacts of invasive species cost more than natural disasters such as earthquakes, floods, and wildfires. In Ontario, they are responsible for an estimated $3.6 billion dollars of impact each year<\/a> on forestry, fisheries, agriculture, infrastructure, tourism, and recreation in the province.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re pleased to be supporting local action to help reduce the impacts of invasive species throughout Ontario,\u201d says Colin Cassin, Invasive Species Centre Executive Director. \u201cThrough sustained investment in invasive species management, we\u2019re protecting the natural spaces that we want to leave the same or better for future generations.\u201d<\/p>\n ISAF supports prevention, control, and eradication of Ontario\u2019s highest-risk invasive species through three streams of funding:<\/p>\n
For this funding round, priority species include those regulated under Ontario\u2019s Invasive Species Act, while priority themes include early detection and rapid response, addressing introduction pathways, strategic management, collaboration, and innovation.<\/p>\n
\n\tMicrogrants: small-scale projects with an emphasis on community action and stewardship with a maximum award of $3,500
\n\tAccelerated Impact: large-scale projects taking place in priority areas and addressing priority species with a maximum award of $15,000
\n\tTransformative Action: large-scale projects taking place in priority areas and addressing priority species with a maximum award of $50,000
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