$15,000 to Manage Invasive Species in Nipissing
June 16, 2026NIPISSING — Vic Fedeli, MPP for Nipissing announced that the Ontario government is investing $15,000 to support Nipissing First Nation’s Operation Removal of Oppressive Out-Competing Threats (ROOT) project. Today’s funding provided through the Invasive Species Action Fund will address the spread of Japanese Knotweed within our community. This is part of the provinces larger investment to help municipalities, Indigenous communities, conservation authorities, and local organizations stop the spread of harmful invasive species.
“The Invasive Species Action Fund will allow summer students to gain hands-on experience, while managing and restoring our community’s environment. By removing the invasive knotweed and planting new, healthy, and native species, this project will support the revival of the affected area,” said MPP Vic Fedeli. “We are confident this revitalization will benefit both the local ecosystem and the people of Nipissing.”
To protect Ontario’s economy and biodiversity, today’s larger investment will support 112 projects, create over 160 good-paying local jobs, and engage more than 3,000 volunteers to manage and prevent invasives species across the province. These projects support a wide range of invasive species management activities, such as the water soldier response on Lake Simcoe and controlling invasive plants including common buckthorn and knotweed found in surrounding areas.
Invasive species are a leading cause of biodiversity loss in Ontario, with an estimated economic impact of $3.6 billion each year across key sectors such as agriculture, fisheries, forestry, healthcare, tourism, and outdoor recreation. Administered by the Invasive Species Centre, the Invasive Species Action Fund helps stop the spread of invasive species through a coordinated, provincewide approach to prevent, detect, and respond to invasive species.
The government is taking action to protect Ontario’s natural environment, outdoor spaces, and recreational opportunities for future generations to enjoy, while supporting good-paying jobs, and building resilient communities across Ontario.
Quick Facts
- The Invasive Species Act currently lists 42 species, four groups, one family, and two carriers as invasive. The Act provides legislative tools to prohibit and restrict certain invasive species, as well as highlighting carriers that facilitate the movement of invasive species.
- Ontario has the highest number of invasive species in Canada. Once established, invasive species can harm the natural environment and are extremely difficult and costly to control or remove.
Additional Information