The Ontario Phragmites Action program, bolstered by a significant investment from the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, is supporting 38 new collaborative projects to help combat invasive Phragmites impacts across the province.
These initiatives, supported by the Invasive Phragmites Control Fund with $650,000, will increase invasive species action by community groups, Indigenous organizations, and municipalities across Ontario.
Phragmites, also known as the European common reed, is one of the most aggressive invasive plants in Canada. It rapidly spreads and forms dense stands, outcompeting native vegetation, altering habitats, and impacting biodiversity. Phragmites disrupt wetlands, reduce habitat for wildlife, and impede drainage in agricultural lands, leading to significant ecological and economic consequences. Managing and controlling Phragmites is crucial for preserving natural ecosystems and supporting the well-being of communities in Ontario.
Since 2019, the Invasive Phragmites Control Fund has funded 71 projects across the province that help protect natural spaces from the impacts of Phragmites.
“The Ontario government is dedicated to preventing new invaders from arriving, slowing or reversing the spread of those that are already here and reducing the overall impacts to our province," said MPP Graydon Smith, Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources.
"The Invasive Phragmites Control Fund is delighted to support these projects in Northern Ontario. This funding will support a range of activities - such as planning, mapping, and control activities - to help reduce the amount of invasive Phragmites present in our part of the province. These projects, as well as the many others supported under the Invasive Phragmites Control Fund, will help grow the number of communities leading the charge to control Canada's worst invasive plant," added Jenna White, Northern Regional Coordinator, Invasive Species Centre.
The Ontario Phragmites Action (OPA) program enhances a coordinated response to invasive Phragmites across Ontario. Supported by Ontario’s Ministry of Natural Resources and implemented by the Invasive Species Centre, Nature Conservancy of Canada, and other key partners, OPA aims to expand collaborative action through increased resources for local coordination groups. These resources include the Invasive Phragmites Control Fund, free genetic testing, and mapping support.
