© City of Sault Ste. Marie
The Issue
Across Ontario, natural areas are becoming increasingly fragmented by urban expansion, industrial development, infrastructure and other land uses. This fragmentation isolates habitats, disrupts wildlife movement and weakens ecosystem resilience. Without connected habitats, many species will struggle to find what they need to survive or adapt to the impacts of climate change. This leads to reduced populations and genetic diversity, putting ecosystem health at risk.
Protecting and restoring ecological corridors, the natural linkages between habitats, is critical for conserving biodiversity and supporting the movement of species.
King Mountain © Algoma Highlands Conservancy
Why It Matters
Ecological corridors play a vital role in sustaining Ontario’s wildlife and natural systems. They allow animals to move safely between habitats, which increase genetic diversity and enable species to shift their ranges in response to a changing climate. Corridors also benefit people by supporting clean air, water and climate resilience.
Ensuring connectivity is maintained across Ontario and beyond is also essential to meeting our biodiversity targets under Canada’s 2030 Nature Strategy, such as Target 3: the commitment to protect 30% of lands and waters by 2030, and Target 8: the commitment to minimize the impact of climate change on biodiversity.
Woodland caribou herd © Garden River First Nation
What We Are Doing
Ontario Nature, in partnership with Garden River First Nation, the City of Sault Ste. Marie and Algoma Highlands Conservancy, has an ecological corridors project focused on the Sault Ste. Marie and Garden River area, a region identified by Parks Canada as one of the national priority areas for ecological corridors due to its high ecological value and connectivity potential. This priority area, centered on the St. Marys River between Lake Superior and Lake Huron, serves as a critical wildlife movement corridor in the Great Lakes Basin and a key pinch point for north–south connectivity. It features a mix of forests, wetlands, and shallow lakes in a transition zone between boreal and deciduous ecosystems and is supported by a strong network of conservation groups committed to protecting the region’s ecosystems and biodiversity.
As part of our broader efforts, we are convening an Ontario Working Group for Ecological Corridors. This group brings together organizations engaged in ecological corridors planning across the province, providing a space to share knowledge, tools and approaches, identify opportunities for collaboration, and support one another in advancing connected and resilient landscapes.
© Garden River First Nation
What Others Are Doing
Discover how groups across the province are contributing to the conservation and restoration of ecological corridors:
Red fox © Garden River First Nation
What You Can Do
- Learn about the importance of ecological corridors and how you can support connectivity in your community
- Advocate for land-use planning and policy decisions that prioritize natural area protection and landscape connectivity
- Support local conservation groups and Indigenous-led initiatives working to protect and restore natural linkages
- Stay connected with Ontario Nature and we will send you updates on our corridors project and other conservation initiatives
© City of Sault Ste. Marie
Ecological Corridors Project Partners:
