Welcome to Ontario Stewardship!   

The Ministry of Natural Resources’ Ontario Stewardship program is a community-based initiative that brings together landowners, associations, resource agencies and individuals who share an interest in responsible land care and sustainable resource use. The program advocates stewardship as a tool for land management.

Participants in the program are encouraged to work together to develop an ecosystem-approach for improving local stewardship and to create collaborative resource management tools.

Developed in 1995, the ongoing success and growth of the Ontario Stewardship program is largely due to its strong foundation of community partnerships and volunteerism.

The Ontario Stewardship network currently consists of 42 community-based stewardship councils located throughout the province with further growth and expansion into northern Ontario anticipated.  Councils are formed geographically by community and population. 

Approximately 16,000 volunteers take part in more than 600 Ontario Stewardship projects every year, including natural resource education, shoreline restoration, wildlife habitat enhancement and forest-related, community-driven initiatives.  These projects encourage local employment, increase the community’s capacity and help local leaders to direct resource initiatives in their areas.

Ontario Stewardship and the community councils are always looking for new partners, ideas and volunteers. To become involved in the program, contact your local stewardship council or visit our website at: www.ontariostewardship.org

Ontario Stewardship projects include:

§         4-H Club stewardship initiatives

§         Backyard Maple Syrup Workshop

§         Species At Risk projects – such as the Barn Owl recovery Program, the Tallgrass Prairie Prescribe Burning Program and habitat management

§         Environmental Farm Plan Workshops

§         Forest Youth Education Day 

§         Healthy Waters Incentive Program

§         Trees for Tomorrow

§         Wild Turkey Restoration Program

§         Youth Programs – such as Ontario Stewardship Rangers

Ontario Stewardship accomplishments include: 

§         Hosting more than 1,000 educational events attended by more than 150,000 people

§         Restoring more than 1,500 hectares of wetlands and headwater areas

§         Planting 1.2 million trees

§         Restoring more than 40 kilometres of shoreline