Ontario Invests $180K to Restore Waterways on Manitoulin Island
Province supporting community-led efforts to protect water quality and habitats
The Ontario government is investing $180,000 in a series of community-led restoration projects to improve water quality and strengthen natural habitats on Manitoulin Island, the largest freshwater island in the world and a vital part of the Lake Huron watershed.
The funding, announced September 9, will be directed to projects led by the Manitoulin Streams Improvement Association, a local non-profit known for its conservation work across the island. Officials say the initiatives will not only restore creeks and rivers but also promote healthier fisheries, increase biodiversity, and support the long-term sustainability of local communities.
Restoring Blue Jay Creek
The association will receive $100,000 through Ontario’s Great Lakes Program to rehabilitate Blue Jay Creek. Work will focus on removing invasive species, cleaning up plastic waste with the help of schools and First Nations partners, and restoring coldwater streams that are critical for fish and wildlife.
For residents, the project promises multiple benefits — improved water quality, healthier ecosystems, and greater opportunities for recreational activities such as fishing, hiking, and eco-tourism. Officials also note the potential for economic benefits as healthier waterways support local tourism and outdoor industries.
Local and provincial voices
Todd McCarthy, Ontario’s Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks, said the funding reflects the province’s broader strategy to safeguard natural resources.
“Clean water is vital to the health and well-being of Manitoulin Island’s communities, waterways and ecosystems, and all of Ontario,” McCarthy said. “Our government is proud to support the work of local experts to restore these creeks, streams and rivers that benefit aquatic ecosystems and local fisheries — creating cleaner, healthier spaces to live, work and enjoy nature, while protecting Ontario’s environment for generations to come.”
Algoma-Manitoulin MPP Bill Rosenberg added that investing in local projects like Blue Jay Creek creates benefits that extend far beyond the environment.
“By supporting stewardship actions and beneficial water management practices, we are restoring critical habitats, improving water quality, and creating opportunities that benefit both people and nature,” Rosenberg said. “I commend the local partners and community members whose leadership and dedication are helping to ensure a sustainable future for all of Manitoulin Island.”
Additional support through OCEF
Alongside the Great Lakes Program funding, the Manitoulin Streams Improvement Association also received $80,000 from the Ontario Community Environment Fund (OCEF). OCEF reinvests penalties paid by polluters into community-based environmental projects.
On Manitoulin Island, the funds were used to plant native trees and shrubs, stabilize stream banks, restore the Manitou River, and install fencing to prevent livestock from entering Grimesthorpe Creek — all measures designed to protect local water quality and ecosystems.
Seija Deschenes, Project Coordinator for the Manitoulin Streams Improvement Association, said the funding is already making a visible difference.
“These funds have allowed us to restore and protect important coldwater streams that contribute to the ecological, economic and social health of Manitoulin Island,” Deschenes said.
A broader conservation effort
The province’s support for Manitoulin Island is part of a wider commitment to protecting Ontario’s waterways. Since 2018, the government has invested $83.4 million in 679 projects across the Great Lakes basin, and since 2010, OCEF has directed more than $3.8 million into 108 projects, leading to the planting of hundreds of thousands of trees and shrubs and the restoration of over 50 kilometres of shoreline.
With new funding rounds currently open, community groups across Ontario are being encouraged to apply for support before the September 24 deadline.
For Manitoulin Island, however, the immediate focus is local: ensuring that creeks, rivers, and wetlands remain healthy for generations to come.
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