Ontario’s Budget 2026 invests in nature to help protect critical natural infrastructure
Toronto, ON (March 26, 2026) – The Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) applauds the Government of Ontario for its investment in the Taiga Forest and Peatlands Project — a landmark initiative that will protect critical natural infrastructure, strengthen community resilience, and support long-term economic growth.
Budget 2026, presented Thursday, commits $2 million to the Nature Conservancy of Canada’s (NCC’s) Taiga Forest and Peatlands conservation project. Located approximately 60 kilometres south of Kapuskasing, the project will conserve a boreal landscape 1.3 times the size of the City of Toronto.
Through its commitment, the Province will deliver cost-effective solutions that protect communities and support economic growth, safeguarding natural assets and delivering long-term value for people in Ontario.
By protecting natural systems that mitigate flooding, manage water, and stabilize landscapes, Ontario can avoid future costs while enhancing community safety and long-term prosperity. Investments like these also expand opportunities for Ontarians to access nature — supporting outdoor recreation such as hiking, fishing, and nature appreciation, while contributing to local tourism, regional infrastructure and economic growth.
Partnership that delivers results
Through programs such as the Greenlands Conservation Partnership Program and the Wetlands Conservation Partner Program, NCC and the Province have:
- contributed to stronger, more resilient communities across Ontario;
- created parks and trails;
- protected natural spaces, waterways, and habitat for species at risk; and
- strengthened natural infrastructure that supports community safety, resilience and economic growth.
Through this project, every $1 of provincial support unlocks at least $7 from private donors and partners, ensuring strong value for taxpayers and accelerating results on the ground. Working with Minister McCarthy and the Province of Ontario, NCC will continue to deliver nature-based solutions at the scale that Ontario needs, protecting communities, safeguarding water and strengthening local economies for the long term.
Quotes
“Protecting the Taiga Forest and Peatlands means safeguarding one of the most powerful natural systems that we have for storing carbon, protecting water, and strengthening northern communities, now and into the future. Ontario’s leadership, alongside NCC and our partners, shows what’s possible when we act at the scale that nature demands. Together, we are protecting a globally important landscape that will continue to deliver real value for people and nature.” — Catherine Grenier, President & CEO, Nature Conservancy of Canada
Facts
- The Taiga Forest and Peatlands project will permanently protect over 81,000 hectares of boreal forest, wetlands and peatlands, one of the most carbon‑dense and intact ecosystems in Ontario.
- As part of the “lungs of the Earth,” Ontario’s boreal forest landscape stores more than 30 million tonnes of carbon, helps regulate water flows and provides critical habitat for migratory birds and wide‑ranging wildlife such as moose, lynx and black bear.
- Conserving this property also strengthens ecological connectivity across northern Ontario, building resilience across a broader and globally-significant boreal landscape.
Find photos of the Taiga Forest and Peatlands here.
How you can help
NCC is continuing to raise funds to protect and care for this landscape. Learn more or make a gift at borealwildlands.ca.
About
Since 1962, the Nature Conservancy of Canada has brought people together to protect the lands and waters that sustain us all. As an environmental charity working hand in hand with communities, Indigenous Nations, governments and businesses, we deliver nature-based solutions at a scale no one else can. Our conservation work safeguards clean air and water, stores carbon and reduces the risks of floods and wildfires — protecting our health, strengthening local economies and building more resilient communities. Together, we unlock nature’s power, so life can thrive. Learn more at natureconservancy.ca.
Contact
Brianne Curry
Communications Manager, Ontario Region
Nature Conservancy of Canada
C: 519-520-1340
brianne.curry@natureconservancy.ca