A major environmental restoration project is helping improve the long-term health of Charleston Lake Provincial Park following damage caused by severe weather, invasive species, disease, and shoreline erosion.
National charity Forests Canada partnered with Ontario Parks to plant thousands of native trees and shrubs across nine provincial parks in Ontario during the fall and spring seasons.
Charleston Lake Provincial Park was among the parks included in the restoration effort, which saw a total of 12,000 native trees and shrubs planted province-wide. The project included 4,500 potted trees and shrubs from 39 native species in targeted park areas, along with an additional 7,500 seedlings planted at Samuel de Champlain Provincial Park following major storm damage there in 2025.
“Provincial parks are at the heart of Ontario’s natural heritage, and our government is proud to support initiatives that give families and communities more opportunities to explore our great outdoors,” Todd McCarthy, Ontario’s Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks, stated. “Through strong partnerships and targeted investments, we can help ensure our parks remain healthy and vibrant for generations to come.”
Officials say the restoration work is aimed at strengthening biodiversity, protecting species at risk, and improving forest resilience for future generations.
The initiative was supported through the Species Conservation Program and involved multiple nurseries and planting partners working alongside Ontario Parks staff to complete the large-scale environmental project.
(By: Tim Baltz)
