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Wild Pig Surveillance Program

To broaden the scope of existing wild pig monitoring efforts in the province, this program provides volunteers with surveillance kits to monitor for wild pigs in key parts of Ontario.

Become an ISAP Ambassador!

The ISAP Ambassador program aims to support volunteer student lead initiatives and existing environmental clubs within schools to incorporate invasive species focused community activities and events.

Visit the Virtual Classroom!

Available in primary/junior or intermediate/senior learning levels, teachers and students can visit the virtual classroom to explore learning resources, curriculum-integrated activities, games, pre-recorded video lessons, and more.

Mysterysnail Management and Removal Project

Working with the Coalition of Haliburton Property Owner’s Association, this program empowers volunteers with the knowledge and training to remove invasive Mysterysnails from lakes in the Haliburton region.

Volunteer Water Steward Program

The Volunteer Water Stewards set up at public boat launches to give boaters the opportunity to learn how to effectively Clean, Drain, and Dry their watercraft, pertinent AIS regulations, species of concern for Ontario, and more.

Water Soldier Eradication Project

An inter-agency working group on water soldier was formed in 2008 to help coordinate research, monitoring, control and prevention strategies

Invasive Species Reporting Tools

EDDMapS Ontario is a fast and easy way to map invasive species without any technical expertise. Members of the public are also able to call the Invading Species Hotline and speak with an invasive species expert to report a sighting or to inquire about invasive species information.

About Us

In 1992, the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters, in partnership with the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry, established the Invading Species Awareness Program in order to address the increasing threats posed by invasive species in Ontario. Our objectives are to generate education and awareness of aquatic and terrestrial invasive species, address key pathways contributing to introductions and/or spread, and facilitate monitoring and early detection initiatives for invasive species found within Ontario.

Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters
Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry
Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters       Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry
About Us | Ontario's Invading Species Awareness Program

What are invading species?

Invasive species are plants, animals, and micro-organisms introduced by human action outside their natural past or present distribution whose introduction or spread threatens the environment, the economy, or society, including human health (Government of Canada, 2004).

Aquatic invasive plants can be free floating, floating and rooted in sediment, rooted and submergent (underwater), or emergent (partly under and partly above the water’s surface). They can affect recreational activities (e.g., boating, fishing, swimming), displace native vegetation, slow down water flow, and alter oxygen levels.

Forest pests impact our forest ecosystems by degrading the quality of wood, eliminating wildlife habitat and recreation/cultural value. Forest pathogens can be caused by different organisms that affect the whole tree, causing defoliation, root decay and stem cankers that reduce the distribution of nutrients throughout the tree.

Invasive fish species impact our aquatic ecosystems by competing with native fishes for food and habitat, altering food webs, and preying on sport fish eggs and larvae populations.

Invasive invertebrates can be crayfish, snails, mussels, clams, waterfleas, or mysid that impact our aquatic ecosystems by competing with native species for resources, such as food and habitat, and can destroy native fish spawning habitats.

Terrestrial plants in a forest ecosystem can be trees, shrubs, or herbaceous plants that have been moved from their native habitat to an introduced area where they are able to reproduce quickly and crowd out native species.

Northern Snakehead

What is Ontario Doing? To prevent this unwanted invader from coming into the province, Ontario...

Red Shiner

What is Ontario Doing? To prevent this unwanted invader from coming into the province, Ontario...

Wels Catfish

What is Ontario Doing? To prevent this unwanted invader from coming into the province, Ontario...

Invasive Earthworms

Background Native earthworms from Canada were removed by the last glaciers and of the 19 species confirmed in Ontario, 17 originate from Europe...

Invasive Phragmites

What is Ontario Doing? To prevent the further spread and introduction of this unwanted invader...

Parrot Feather

What is Ontario Doing? To prevent this unwanted invader from coming into the province, Ontario...

Invasive Snails

Background Invasive snails include a variety of gastropods invasive to areas of North America....

Sudden Oak Death

Background Sudden oak death is a disease affecting species of trees caused by a fungal-like...

Japanese Knotweed

What is Ontario Doing? To prevent the further spread and introduction of this unwanted invader...

Asian Clam

Background Asian clam is a non-native freshwater bivalve that has been dispersed throughout...

Yellow Iris

Background Yellow iris, or yellow flag iris, is a perennial aquatic plant native to Europe,...

Watermoss

What is Ontario Doing? To prevent these unwanted invaders from coming into the province,...

Rudd

Background Rudd is an invasive fish native to Europe that has been found in scattered...

Golden Mussel

What is Ontario Doing? To prevent this unwanted invader from coming into the province, Ontario...

Spiny and Fishhook Waterfleas

Background Spiny and fishhook waterfleas are small aquatic predators native to Eurasia. The...

Asian Long-horned Beetle

Background Asian long-horned beetle (ALHB) is an invasive forest pest with no natural enemies...

Water Fern

What is Ontario Doing? To prevent this unwanted invader from coming into the province, Ontario...

Sea Lamprey

Background The Sea Lamprey is a primitive, eel-like fish native to the northern Atlantic Ocean...

Wild Chervil

Background Wild chervil is a herbaceous biennial or short-lived perennial from the parsley...

Red Swamp Crayfish

What is Ontario Doing? To prevent this unwanted invader from coming into the province, Ontario...

Winged Euonymus

Background Winged euonymus is a deciduous shrub introduced to North America as a horticultural...

Japanese Barberry

Background Japanese barberry is an invasive shrub that is native to Japan. In the 1870’s,...

Common Yabby

What is Ontario Doing? To prevent this unwanted invader from coming into the province, Ontario...

Rainbow Smelt

Background Rainbow Smelt is a predatory fish native to the north Atlantic coastal regions of...

Water Lettuce

Background Water lettuce is a free-floating aquatic plant whose origins are uncertain. An...

Water Hyacinth

Background Water hyacinth is a free-floating, aquatic plant in the pickerel-weed family...

Tree-of-Heaven

What is Ontario Doing? To prevent the further spread and introduction of this unwanted invader...

Tubenose Goby

Background The Tubenose Goby is a small, bottom-dwelling invasive fish. Native to rivers...

Prussian Carp

What is Ontario Doing? To prevent this unwanted invader from coming into the province, Ontario...

Emerald Ash Borer

Background Emerald Ash Borer is a forest pest native to Asia that has killed millions of Ash...

Giant Hogweed

Background Giant Hogweed (Heracleum mantegazzianum) is a perennial plant and a member of the...

Invasive Honeysuckles

Background Invasive honeysuckles are herbaceous shrubs native to Korea, Japan and China. In...

Himalayan Balsam

Background Himalayan balsam is an annual herb, native to the western Himalayas. In the early...

Rusty Crayfish

Background Rusty crayfish are large, aggressive crayfish native to the Ohio River Basin in the...

Kudzu

Background Kudzu is a perennial climbing vine native to eastern Asia that was recently found...

European Frog-bit

What is Ontario Doing? To prevent the further spread and introduction of this unwanted invader...

Eurasian Water-Milfoil

What is Ontario Doing? To prevent this unwanted invader from spreading in the province,...

Asian Carps

What is Ontario Doing? To prevent these unwanted invaders from coming into the province,...

Spongy Moth

Background Spongy moth is an insect native to Europe and Asia that has been severely weakening...

Floating Primrose-Willow

What is Ontario Doing? To prevent this unwanted invader from coming into the province, Ontario...

Pathways

Pathways are routes by which an invasive species is transferred from one ecosystem to another. It is the physical means by which an invasive species is transported to a new region by humans, either deliberately or accidentally.

Boating

Did You Know? Recreational boating is a fun and exciting pastime, BUT, did you know that you...

Trail Use

What is a Pathway? A pathway is a route by which an invasive species is transferred from one...

Pet Release

Pet Release as a Pathway Owning an aquarium can be an exciting and enjoyable pastime. Many...

Hunting

Hunting as a Pathway Waterfowl hunters should be aware that it is possible to inadvertently spread aquatic nuisance...

Live Fish Food

Live Fish Food as a Pathway Many markets in Ontario offer fresh live seafood and fish. Unfortunately, some of the...

Live Bait

Many anglers use live bait like minnows, leeches, and crayfish. While these might help you...

Ballast Water

Ballast Water as a Pathway When ocean cargo freighters cross the ocean, they use something called a ballast to balance the ship as it crosses...

Movement of Wood

Moving Wood as a Pathway Diseases and insects that are deadly to trees and forests in Ontario...

Scuba Diving

What is a Pathway? A pathway is a route by which an invasive species is transferred from one...

Canals

There was once a time when navigating Canada’s waters involved portaging (carrying a boat) between lakes and around boating barriers. To make navigation easier, man-made canals, locks, and water diversions were constructed to connect lakes and rivers. This made navigation by water much easier, and allowed for much larger boats to travel. Unfortunately, the connection of these waterbodies also allowed for invasive species like the Sea Lamprey to travel to new lakes.

Programs

Many ecological, economic, and recreational impacts have been observed in North America due to the introduction of invading species. The OFAH/OMNRF Invading Species Awareness Program delivers a number of initiatives that promote public engagement in invasive species awareness and prevention across the province. The active participation of boaters, anglers, property owners, gardeners, recreationalists, and all Ontarians is vital to prevent the spread of invasive species. Our efforts today will benefit the ecosystems of tomorrow, as well as contribute to our continued enjoyment of our natural resources.

Volunteer involvement in raising invasive species awareness and prevention is appreciated and fundamental to the success of the Invading Species Awareness Program.

To learn more about how you can get involved, check out the different programs we offer, or call the Invading Species Hotline at 1-800-563-7711.

Clean Boats, Clean Tournaments

The spread of aquatic invasive species (AIS) via the recreational boating pathway is well documented. Over the last several years, the Invading Species Awareness Program (ISAP) has implemented various initiatives targeting recreational anglers and boaters to promote actions we can all take to help protect our aquatic environments. In 2015, our efforts have expanded to include a partnership with the tournament angling community to implement a tournament outreach project.

Garlic Mustard Pulls

For the tenth year in a row, staff and volunteers with the Invading Species Awareness Program, the Ontario Invasive Plant Council, and Kawartha Conservation worked together to rid the Ken Reid Conservation Area in Lindsay of garlic mustard. In total, over the past ten years, the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters has removed more than 5,000 pounds of this invasive plant.

Hit Squad

The Invading Species Hit Squad delivers on the ground, community based invasive species education, awareness and monitoring initiatives. Working in partnership with OMNRF district offices, stewardship councils, conservation authorities, and non-governmental organizations, over 20 summer students are hired annually to attend local festivals and events, deliver educational programming to the public, and monitor local areas for invasive species.

Invading Species Reporting

The Invading Species Hotline serves as a valuable resource for the public, especially during times of increased public concern. Members of the public are able to call and speak with an invasive species expert to report a sighting or to inquire about invasive species information. The hotline number has been listed on numerous outreach materials created and distributed by the Invading Species Awareness Program. Think you’ve found an invasive species or want more information on invasive species?

Landowners Workshop

As a landowner it is important to be aware of invasive plants that can threaten your property. The Invading Species Awareness Program, in partnership with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry and Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority host FREE workshops for landowners in the Lake Simcoe area.

Operation Bait Bucket
The Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF) will once again be conducting Operation Bait Bucket, a joint initiative between the ministry and the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters (OFAH) under the Invading Species Awareness Program, in support of protecting Lake Simcoe’s aquatic resources.

Through the Operation Bait Bucket initiative, MNRF crews from the Aurora District office visit and engage with ice anglers around Lake Simcoe to speak about maintaining the health of the lake and preventing the spread of invasive species.

Water Soldier Eradication

An inter-agency working group on water soldier was formed in 2008 to help coordinate research, monitoring, control and prevention strategies. Agency groups include: Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry, Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters, Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks, Trent University, Lower Trent Conservation, and Parks Canada.

Reporting Invasive Species | Ontario's Invading Species Awareness Program

Think you have seen an invasive species?

 

Report it!

 

Invading Species Hotline

 

1-800-563-7711

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