Protecting Niagara’s Biodiversity & Species at Risk
A “species at risk” refers to any naturally occurring plant or animal facing the threat of extinction or regional disappearance. Once officially classified, these species are added to the Species at Risk in Ontario (SARO) List to receive critical protection framework backing.
The Niagara Region is uniquely blessed with incredible natural biodiversity, serving as home to roughly 20,000 diverse species of flora and fauna. However, this delicate ecosystem is facing unprecedented pressures. Habitat loss, pollution, shifting land-use activities, and the aggressive spread of invasive species have put many of our native populations in jeopardy.
Reversing the Trend through Strategic Partnerships
The good news is that targeted action drives real recovery. For several years, Land Care Niagara has partnered closely with the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks. Together, we deliver essential habitat restoration, pioneering biological research, and actionable educational outreach to help local landowners safeguard Ontario’s disappearing biodiversity.
Our Conservation Initiatives
At Land Care Niagara, our multi-year projects bridge the gap between scientific research and hands-on habitat restoration. By partnering with federal departments, provincial ministries, academic institutions, and local land managers, we actively build a resilient future for Ontario’s species at risk.
Regional Pollinator & Monarch Habitat Creation
Initiated as a targeted three-year project, this ongoing initiative focuses on restoring vital pollinator habitats across agricultural properties situated near the shorelines of Lake Erie and Lake Ontario.
Operating in close collaboration with the agricultural sector to promote sustainable land management, our field activities directly protect the Monarch Butterfly—regionally listed as Endangered under COSEWIC—while actively benefiting over eight additional local species at risk.
Bat Habitation Research & Reptile Habitat Restoration
Our comprehensive acoustic and structural tracking initiatives have pioneered scientific methods to identify and confirm critical over-wintering hibernacula for species at risk bats throughout the Niagara Region.
Parallel to this research, our teams execute strategic habitat restoration to expand, enhance, and reconnect core migratory corridors for both regional bat populations and the Gray Ratsnake.
This critical data collection and public outreach framework is made possible through the collaboration of our species experts and essential partners.
Land Care Niagara operates within the boundaries of what is now known as the Niagara Region, and we take this moment to recognize the significance of these lands and the Indigenous Peoples that have lived here since time immemorial. The Niagara Region is situated on treaty and traditional land, carrying the rich culture of the Hatiwendaronk, the Haudenosaunee, and the Anishinaabe, encompassing First Nations such as the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation and the Six Nations of the Grand River. We also pay respect to the diverse First Nations, Métis, and Inuit peoples from across Turtle Island who live and work in Niagara today. In our commitment to creating a healthy and sustainable environment, we stand in solidarity with all Indigenous peoples, both past, present and future who are advocating for the wise stewardship of the lands we inhabit. We recognize the cultural and historical harm inflicted by colonization on Indigenous peoples, resulting in generational trauma, stolen land and systemic injustices. In light of this continuous history and understanding our role as Treaty People on Turtle Island, may we dedicate ourselves to moving forward in the spirit of partnership, collaboration, and reconciliation together.
