Over 50 projects focused on restoring the Great Lakes and surrounding freshwater ecosystems received a boost of funding Friday.
Windsor-Tecumseh MP Irek Kusmierczyk announced $76 million of funding for the projects as part of the Great Lakes Freshwater Ecosystem Initiative.
"If you look at the Industrial footprint of our community both agricultural and manufacturing that puts incredible stress on our fresh water, on our Great Lakes. This is about helping mother nature. It's about balancing the environment and the economy. This is vital for our community," said Kusmierczyk.
Local projects led by the Essex Region Conservation Authority (ERCA), the University of Windsor, and Flowers Canada will receive nearly $18.5 million of the funding.
ERCA received funding for four projects focused on restoring wetland habitats near Fighting Island, River Canard and Hillman Marsh. The final project will focus on reducing phosphorus loads from entering Lake Erie by establishing best management practices.
"We're at an implementation stage for some significant programming and projects. This will help us along with that," said Tim Bryne, executive director of ERCA.
The University of Windsor's Great Lakes Institute for Environmental Research received $1,590,000 for two research projects on water quality and phosphorus runoff.