Ontario is one of the most biodiverse provinces in Canada, and the world depends on it. Ontario is home to one-fifth of the world’s freshwater, locked in lakes and wetlands, and rich in boreal forests and peatlands that store away carbon from the atmosphere. These ecosystems are home to species like Blanding’s turtles, lake sturgeons, and chorus frogs, and work hard to give people and communities clean air and water.

Sadly, the threats to these natural wonders also set Ontario apart. Only 11 per cent of lands and waters are currently protected, with no clear path for expansion. Logging continues in provincial parks. Together with local First Nations, we advocate for key natural hot spots to come under protection, including places like the Frontenac Arch biosphere, a corridor for wildlife migration merging five types of forests. The Wilderness Committee is continually defending environmental laws, policies and regulations in the province to protect the healthy communities and ecosystems that are essential for people and wildlife.