Oshawa Second Marsh restoration efforts are receiving more than $1 million in provincial funding to improve wildlife habitat, protect species at risk and strengthen one of Durham Region’s most important coastal wetlands.
The City of Oshawa, working with the Central Lake Ontario Conservation Authority, has announced $1,008,460 in funding through Ontario’s Species Conservation Program.
The investment will support the Second Marsh Restoration and Resilience Plan, which focuses on improving ecological health and making the wetland more resilient to long-term environmental and climate pressures.
Species at risk to benefit
The project will specifically support habitat used by several species at risk.
Among the species identified are the threatened Least Bittern, threatened Blanding’s Turtle and endangered American Eel.
Ontario’s Species Conservation Program confirms that Oshawa’s project involves developing and implementing a restoration and resilience plan for Second Marsh to support wetland species at risk.
The provincial program funds projects that restore habitat, reduce threats, support monitoring and help conserve vulnerable plants and animals across Ontario.
Four years of restoration work planned
Over the next four years, CLOCA is expected to work with several organizations on wetland and coastal habitat improvements.
Partners include Ducks Unlimited Canada, Friends of Second Marsh and the Hamilton-Oshawa Port Authority.
The work is intended to restore degraded habitat while improving the marsh’s ability to withstand environmental pressures such as changing water levels, extreme weather and invasive species.
Detailed design, permitting and phased restoration work will continue as the project moves forward.
Restoration activities began in the spring.
Federal funding also supporting Second Marsh
The provincial contribution adds to substantial federal support already secured for the marsh.
CLOCA announced in October 2025 that it had received $1,614,500 from the Canada Water Agency through the Great Lakes Freshwater Ecosystem Initiative for climate-resilience work at Oshawa Second Marsh.
That funding supports research, restoration planning and nature-based solutions intended to improve the long-term health of the wetland.
Together, the federal and provincial investments provide more than $2.6 million toward restoration and conservation work at Second Marsh.
One of Lake Ontario’s important coastal wetlands
Second Marsh is one of the largest remaining coastal marshes along the north shore of Lake Ontario.
Wetlands such as Second Marsh provide important habitat for birds, fish, turtles and other wildlife while also offering ecological services such as flood protection, water filtration and shoreline resilience.
The area has long been the focus of restoration, monitoring and conservation work involving the City of Oshawa, CLOCA and community organizations.
Restoration designed for long-term resilience
The Oshawa Second Marsh restoration project is intended to go beyond short-term repairs.
Officials say the work will focus on strengthening ecological resilience so the marsh can continue supporting vulnerable species as environmental conditions change.
That includes improving habitat quality, restoring wetland functions and monitoring the results of restoration activities over time.
The project will continue through partnerships between government agencies, conservation organizations and community groups.
With both federal and provincial funding now committed, Second Marsh is positioned for several years of coordinated restoration work aimed at protecting its wildlife and preserving the wetland for future generations.
