As 2025 winds down, we’re celebrating Ontario Nature’s conservation successes. These accomplishments were only possible because of you — our members, partners, supporters, Nature Network groups and dedicated volunteers. Thank you for sharing your passion, support and voice when it was needed most.
This year marked an exciting new chapter for Ontario Nature with the arrival of our new Executive Director, Andrés Jiménez Monge. He follows in the footsteps of Caroline Schultz who retired after more than 19 years of dedicated leadership. Read on to learn about some of the conservation success stories that you helped make possible this year.
Ontario Nature’s Executive Director Andrés Jiménez Monge and former Executive Director Caroline Schultz
Nature’s Watchdog
This year was a very busy one for our advocacy work focused on increasing the amount of Ontario’s lands and waters that are protected, strengthening protections for endangered species, and protecting and restoring wetlands.
Ontario Nature hosted its first Nature at Queen’s Park, giving us, our Nature Network and partners a chance to raise the profile of nature conservation with provincial decision-makers at the Legislative Assembly of Ontario.
These representatives shape the laws, policies and funding that affect Ontario’s wildlife and natural spaces. By meeting face to face, we ensured nature was firmly on their radar.
To help advance our objectives related to Bill 5, Ontario Nature has partnered with Legal Advocates for Nature’s Defence (LAND). An environmental law non-profit, LAND advances access to justice in northern Ontario to protect nature and Indigenous rights.
Ontario Nature is providing financial and in-kind advocacy support to LAND to advance legal challenges by Indigenous rights holders to Bill 5. Ontario Nature and LAND will continue to collaborate on events and amplify Bill 5 opposition and Indigenous voices.
Nature Reserves
Ontario Nature staff were active across the province, visiting all 26 of our nature reserves to meet with property stewards, remove invasive species, host training events and guided hikes, and collect a wide range of ecological data.
Buckthorn and Scots pine removal volunteers, Cawthra Mulock Nature Reserve © Melissa Thomas
Conservation Science
This marked our seventh year of snake surveys for our Long-Term Monitoring Protocol project. Since the project began in 2019, we have collected data on more than 10,500 snake observations, representing 13 of Ontario’s 15 snake species. Through this work, we are better understanding the state of Ontario’s snake populations to help protect them.
Our Atlas-3 breeding bird survey team spent eight weeks surveying locations across south-central Ontario, observing 165 different bird species, including great grey owl, sandhill crane and black-throated blue warbler. The data collected will inform environmental policies and conservation strategies for years to come.
Staff checking coverboard for snakes © Erin Kobayashi
Protected Places Campaign
By protecting lands and waters, we can take meaningful action to address both climate change and the loss of biodiversity. This year, we supported three municipalities and three conservation authorities to advance Canada’s goal of protecting 30% of lands and waters by 2030 (the “30×30 target“). In total, we helped secure recognition for 3,304 hectares of protected and conserved areas, contributing to this important national commitment.
Youth Leadership
Young environmental leaders from across the province gathered in person for the sixteenth Youth Summit for Mother Earth. Over forty passionate youth from 35 communities across Ontario connected for an unforgettable weekend of inspiration, educational workshops, outdoor activities and cross-cultural learning.
Year after year, the Youth Summit is a standout moment for our Nature Guardians Youth Program. As participant Shannon shared, “This experience was unlike anything I’ve ever had. The stories and lessons, as well as my new connections and relationships have impacted me. I will cherish this experience forever.”
Youth Summit for Mother Earth 2025, Group photo © Sarah Vanasse
Thank you for standing with us again this year. Together, we continue to be a force for nature in Ontario. Read more about our work in our 2025 Gratitude Report!
Please consider making a year-end gift to support our work to protect wild species and spaces. With your help, we can accomplish even more in 2026!
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