Protecting Ontario’s at-risk…

Protecting Ontario’s at-risk birds is not just about saving individual species — it’s about preserving the balance and health of our entire ecosystem. Birds are vital to Ontario’s environment, agriculture, and even our economy.

Birds play an essential role in controlling insect populations, pollinating plants, and dispersing seeds. By maintaining healthy bird populations, we naturally protect crops, forests, and wetlands from pest outbreaks and disease. Farmers benefit directly from this ecological balance — fewer insects, healthier soil, and reduced need for pesticides. Many bird species are also indicators of environmental health; when birds decline, it signals that other wildlife, including pollinators and plants, are at risk too.

Beyond their ecological value, birds are a cornerstone of Ontario’s natural heritage and tourism. Millions of residents and visitors participate in birdwatching and eco-tourism each year, generating significant local revenue for rural communities, parks, and small businesses. Ontario’s unique position along major migratory flyways makes it one of North America’s most important regions for bird diversity and seasonal migration — a natural wonder that deserves protection.

To protect and recover Ontario’s birds, the province must make significant, sustained investments in:
• Habitat restoration and protection programs on both public and private lands.
• Research and monitoring to track population trends and identify emerging threats such as habitat loss, climate change, and pollution.
• Support for Indigenous-led and community-based conservation initiatives that connect people with stewardship of the land.
• Funding for education and citizen-science programs that engage Ontarians in protecting wildlife.

Strong, science-based provincial protections — not voluntary measures — are essential. Removing or weakening protections for birds and their habitats puts Ontario at odds with national and international conservation goals. Ontario has a responsibility to lead by example in safeguarding biodiversity for future generations.

Protecting birds means protecting the natural systems that support life for all Ontarians — clean air, healthy crops, and thriving ecosystems that make our province a vital part of Canada’s and North America’s shared environment.