This indicator presents an index of the number of people volunteering to conserve Ontario’s biodiversity and provides a means of assessing trends in the level of public participation in biodiversity conservation in the province.
Figure 1. Number of people volunteering to conserve biodiversity in Ontario, 2006-2018. (Source: Nature Conservancy of Canada, Ducks Unlimited Canada, Conservation Ontario, Ontario Nature, Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters, and Ontario Stewardship) (Note: Data for Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters was only available for the years 2010-2018. Data for Ducks Unlimited Canada and the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources Stewardship Program were based on financial years rather than calendar years. Financial year data was assigned to the first calendar year).
Status:
- Between 2006 and 2018, the number of people who volunteered with select conservation organizations to conserve Ontario’s biodiversity increased from 34,697 to 46,058, despite some variability. Although this represents an overall increase of 32%, it can largely be attributed to a refinement in reporting activities.
This indicator presents an index of the number people volunteering to conserve biodiversity in Ontario based on four conservation organizations (Nature Conservancy of Canada, Ducks Unlimited Canada, Ontario Nature, the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters) and various public bodies (Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry, Ontario Stewardship Program and the 36 conservation authorities in Ontario). As such, this indicator does not reflect all people volunteering to conserve biodiversity across Ontario but provides a means of assessing trends in the level of public participation in biodiversity conservation in the province.
For the purposes of this indicator, volunteering for biodiversity conservation included any activity undertaken by an organization, community or individual to further the understanding, protection or enjoyment of the natural environment; enhance, restore or rehabilitate native habitat or species; or support the organization or administration of biodiversity conservation activities between the years 2006 and 2018. It does not include membership in the select conservation organizations.
Atlantic Salmon were extirpated from Lake Ontario over 120 years ago. As part of their restoration, the Bring Back the Salmon initiative runs a classroom hatchery program in classes across the Lake Ontario basin. The program consists of classes receiving 100 Atlantic Salmon eggs in January and raising them until they are released by students in a local restoration stream in May/June. This 5-month hands-on science lesson provides a local, real-world example of the consequences of negative environ…
Read MoreLake Ontario used to be home to a thriving population of Atlantic Salmon (Salmo salar). The Lake Ontario Salmon Habitat Restoration Program works to bring this species, part of Ontario’s rich biodiversity, back to the lake. The Program has four components: fish production and stocking, water quality and habitat enhancement, outreach and evaluation, and research and monitoring. One effort to support restoring Atlantic Salmon to Lake Ontario was a bank stabilization project in Cobourg. The site,…
Read MoreJoan and Gerald Donnelly have lived on their 100 acre farm just outside of Mono Mills for 42 years, on land now designated part of the Niagara Escarpment. The couple believes in creating and protecting habitat for birds and other wildlife on their farm, having installed many bluebird, wood duck and bat boxes around their property. They’re also willing to share their barn with the swallows every year, despite the clean-up that is needed at the end of each season. Not only do the Donnellys provi…
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