PORT FRANKS — The Ontario government is providing nearly $52,000 to Scouts Canada to help restore the Oak Savanna at Camp Attawandaron, in Lambton Shores. Oak Savanna is a globally rare ecosystem that exists between prairie grassland and oak woodland.
“By taking the initiative to protect this incredibly rare and beautiful Oak Savanna, Scouts Canada is inspiring another generation of youth to become stewards of their environment,” said Andrea Khanjin, Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks. “This project is another great example of how the Ontario Community Environment Fund is helping community groups use their local ecological knowledge and expertise to make a difference.”
Scots pines, which were planted in the area decades ago, are now known to be invasive and are quickly overtaking the natural oak habitat. This project aims to restore the area to its natural biodiversity, which will include the planting of native trees and shrubs and removing some of the existing Scots pines.
“We’ve been trying to combat the spread of the invasive pines for the past 25 years, but the trees reproduce quicker than they can be cut down,” said Tim Bennett, Executive Director, Commercial Ventures, Scouts Canada. “The funding provided by the Ontario government will allow Scouts Canada to remediate two acres at once by removing the pines and planting native trees and shrubs to ensure the restoration of the Oak Savanna and protect key species at risk.”
Funding for this project is being provided through the Ontario Community Environment Fund, which uses environmental penalties paid by polluters to support locally driven activities that protect and restore areas impacted by pollution or other environmental issues. This year, Ontario will invest nearly $1.5 million in these projects, which includes activities like shoreline cleanups, habitat restoration and tree planting. The Scouts Canada initiative is among 11 projects that will receive funds in 2024.