Environment and Climate Change Canada renews its support for tallgrass prairie restoration in Middlesex County through the Habitat Stewardship Program for Species at Risk.
Monarch butterfly at a project site in Middlesex County resting among tallgrass prairie plants.
Toronto, ON, October 15, 2025 — Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) and ALUS Middlesex came together in 2023 to pursue a shared goal: restoring crucial tallgrass prairie habitats to support Species at Risk. ECCC provided ALUS Middlesex with a generous grant of $189,750 over three years to support project establishment and administration.
This multi-year partnership has already led to the creation and enhancement of 45 acres of tallgrass prairie in Middlesex County. Building on this success, ALUS Middlesex plans to establish more than 30 additional acres of tall grass prairie habitat by 2028.
These large-scale habitat projects are possible only through the support of funding partners like ECCC. The department provides funding through the Habitat Stewardship Program for Species at Risk (HSP), which supports projects that directly benefit at-risk species and their habitats. Established in 2000, the HSP has funded more than 3,800 projects across Canada that contribute to recovery goals and help prevent other species from becoming conservation concerns. Since its inception, the program has supported the protection of 558,000 acres of land, the improvement of 1,237,000 acres of habitat, and the restoration of 3,400 kilometres of shoreline nationwide.
Through collaboration with ECCC and local farmers, ALUS Middlesex converts unproductive or marginal farmland into thriving tallgrass prairie habitats. These projects increase ecological connectivity across Southern Ontario’s fragmented agricultural landscape and provide high-quality habitat for local species at risk, including the Bobolink, Eastern Meadowlark, and Eastern Foxsnake. National and local initiatives like this are essential to protect these valuable ecosystems and the species that depend on them.
Prescribed burn and planting supported by Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) through the Habitat Stewardship Program for Species at Risk (HSP) in Middlesex County.
The newly established prairies also deliver numerous environmental benefits by producing ecosystem services such as cleaner air through carbon capture, cleaner water by reducing erosion and runoff, and enhanced biodiversity through native habitat creation. The monarch butterfly, an important pollinator and species at risk, directly benefits from these efforts, as tallgrass prairies offer crucial breeding, staging, and nectaring habitat.
Once a prairie is established, participating farmers maintain and care for the new habitat with continued support from ALUS Middlesex—while retaining full autonomy over their land. This partnership demonstrates how collaborative conservation can address local environmental issues, contribute to global sustainability, and support a more resilient agricultural system.
Before and after image of 14-acre tallgrass prairie planting along the Thames River.
ALUS Middlesex extends sincere thanks to Environment and Climate Change Canada for its meaningful support in helping establish new tallgrass prairie ecosystems in Middlesex County. These projects are made possible through the collective efforts of dedicated farmers, program participants, and partners. The staff and Partnership Advisory Committee (PAC) of ALUS Middlesex also thank all contributors for their ongoing commitment to restoring and enhancing Canada’s incredible natural landscapes.
Tractor planting of the 14-acre site in 2024.
