This year, Ontario is granting more than $4 million to 118 projects to protect species at risk and their habitat through the Species at Risk Stewardship Fund.

Since many of Ontario's species at risk are found on private lands, voluntary conservation efforts are essential to species recovery. The Species at Risk Stewardship Fund supports greater public involvement in a variety of species at risk protection and recovery activities.

The following individuals and groups are eligible to apply for grants under the program:

• Landowners and farmers
• Non-government organizations
• Aboriginal communities/organizations
• Academic institutions
• Conservation Authorities
• Ontario Stewardship Councils
• Municipal and local governments
• Individual businesses
• Industry organizations

The Species at Risk Stewardship Fund supports projects which aim to:

• Improve the status of species at risk and their habitats through stewardship and recovery activities
• Encourage involvement in stewardship activities through outreach, education or youth employment
• Increase stewardship-related knowledge and skills of interested landowners or groups.
  

The Species at Risk Stewardship Fund is providing $18 million to eligible projects over four years (2007-2011).- Since the fund was created, more than 300 projects have been funded.

See the complete list of projects that are receiving funding under the 2009/10 Species at Risk Stewardship Fund.