City and CLOCA secure over $1 million in provincial funding for Second Marsh restoration

The City of Oshawa, in partnership with the Central Lake Ontario Conservation Authority (CLOCA), is pleased to announce $1,008,460 in provincial funding to support the continued restoration of the Oshawa Second Marsh, a vital coastal wetland and habitat for species at risk.

The funding, provided through the Province’s Species Conservation Program (SCP) and administered by the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP), will advance the Oshawa Second Marsh Restoration and Resilience Plan. This investment will support targeted habitat restoration and enhancement initiatives that strengthen the marsh’s long-term climate resilience and ecological health.

Over the next four years, CLOCA will collaborate with valued partners – including Ducks Unlimited Canada, Friends of Second Marsh and Hamilton-Oshawa Port Authority (HOPA) – to restore and enhance vital wetland and coastal habitats. This targeted work is designed to improve climate resilience and actively support local species at risk, including the Least Bittern, Blanding’s Turtle and American Eel.

The SCP provincial funding complements a previously announced $1,614,500 investment from the Canada Water Agency through the Great Lakes Freshwater Ecosystem Initiative. Together, these investments support a comprehensive and integrated restoration approach focused on species at risk and habitat enhancement and will further strengthen the long-term climate resilience and ecological integrity of Oshawa Second Marsh.

With both federal and provincial funding secured, partners will continue advancing detailed design, permitting and phased implementation of restoration activities at Oshawa Second Marsh. The restoration work is planned to commence in spring 2026. Project details and updates are available on CLOCA’s Second Marsh Restoration webpage: cloca.com/second-marsh-restoration.

Quotes: 

"Oshawa Second Marsh provides critical natural infrastructure - including habitat for species at risk," said Todd McCarthy, Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks. "Through the Species Conservation Program, our investment will strengthen long-term resilience and support habitat restoration for the species that depend on it. I want to thank the City of Oshawa and our conservation partners for the leadership they continue to show in protecting Durham’s natural spaces."

“We are grateful for the Ontario Government’s significant investment in the Oshawa Second Marsh, one of our community’s most valuable natural assets,” said Oshawa Mayor Dan Carter. “This funding will help advance restoration work to support local species at risk and strengthen the marsh’s ecosystem. We thank CLOCA and its partners for this important work over the next four years.”

“The Second Marsh is one of the largest coastal marshes on the north shore of Lake Ontario, providing important habitats and vital ecological services,” said Chris Darling, CAO of CLOCA. “The funding from the province supports CLOCA’s ability to continue working alongside our valued partners to advance climate resilience, improve habitats and further enhance the health of the marsh ecosystem.”

Photo credit: Aerial photos of The Second Marsh by aj groen.