407 ETR and Canadian Wildlife Federation expand pollinator habitat restoration along Highway 407 ETR corridor and beyond

Cision Canada

18-06-2025

In 2023, the Company signed onto a three-year, $500,000 sponsorship with CWF to support its Rights-of-Way as Habitat Program. In addition to supporting the planting of native wildflowers and grasses, 407 ETR's funding is helping CWF educate rights-of-way managers about best practices in roadside vegetation management to support the recovery of monarchs, bees, hummingbirds and other pollinator species.
"Our collaboration with 407 ETR enables restoration of native meadow habitat along rights-of-way in the GTA," says Carolyn Callaghan, Senior Conservation Biologist, Terrestrial Wildlife at CWF. "By establishing thriving meadow ecosystems, we're helping native pollinator species, like the monarch butterfly, flourish while also enhancing the natural pollination of flowering plants and increasing biodiversity on the landscape."
The Pollinator Pathway expansion by Oakvillegreen Conservation Association, located by a roadside at Kingsford Gardens, in the path of monarch migration, is flourishing thanks to the collaboration. With additional native plants added in 2024, the site became more welcoming to pollinators and monarch butterflies were spotted in the fall of 2024.
The next few years will be critical for other meadow projects that are in their "creep phase" as the native seeds develop roots to grow into successful plant communities, supporting the monarch butterfly and other pollinators around the GTA.
"As stewards of a vital transportation corridor in the GTA, we recognize our responsibility to protect and enhance the biodiversity along our rights-of-way," says Javier Tamargo, President & CEO, 407 ETR. "At 407 ETR, we want to be part of the solution by supporting land restoration efforts in the communities we serve, and it's great to see these spaces turning into thriving ecosystems, contributing to a healthier environment for generations to come."
For a full list of project locations, please visit 407etr.com/biodiversity.
407 ETR remains committed to exploring new opportunities to promote sustainability and environmental stewardship along the highway corridor and improve its own operations. Learn more about 407 ETR's commitment to environmental, social and governance at 407etr.com/esgreporting.
Fast Facts:
There are over 200,000 kilometres of roadways in Ontario, representing tens of thousands of hectares of vegetated land.
Insect abundance has declined by 50 to 90% in North America and Europe. 1
Eight species of native bees are considered at risk in Canada 2 and the population of the monarch butterfly has declined by 75% in North America.
GTA residents can support pollinators with native species for their gardens. Native plants have co-evolved with the wildlife of that area and are often their perfect food. They require less maintenance, are less susceptible to disease and pests, and many produce colourful blooms. Learn more at 407etr.com/biodiversity.
Since 2023, the Company has planted 30,000 native trees along Highway 407 ETR.
The Company is supporting Nature Conservancy of Canada's Conservation Intern program with a three-year, $800,000 sponsorship. The program helps prepare the next generation of environmental leaders with real-world, skills-building opportunities to care for natural areas in Ontario.
The Company is funding a phytoremediation study with Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA), Royal Military College and Queen's University. The research is exploring the use of biotechnology and halophyte plants to remediate salt-contaminated soils and reduce the environmental impact of road salt application.
1 Hallmann, C. A., M. Sorg, E. Jongejans, H. Siepel, N. Hofland, H. Schwan, W. Stenmans, A. Mu ller, H. Sumser, and T. Ho rren. 2017. More than 75 percent decline over 27 years in total flying insect biomass in protected areas. PloS one 12:e0185809; Møller, A. P. 2019. Parallel declines in abundance of insects and insectivorous birds in Denmark over 22 years. Ecology and Evolution 9:6581-6587; Sánchez-Bayo, F., and K. A. Wyckhuys. 2019. Worldwide decline of the entomofauna: A review of its drivers. Biological Conservation 232:8-27.
About 407 ETR
Highway 407 ETR is an all-electronic open-access toll highway located in the Greater Toronto Area in Ontario, Canada. The highway spans 108 kilometres from Burlington in the west to Pickering in the east.
407 International Inc. is the sole shareholder of 407 ETR and is owned by:
Cintra Global S.E. which is a wholly owned subsidiary of Ferrovial S.A. (48.29%);
Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPP Investments) and other institutional investors (44.20%); and
Public Sector Pension Investment Board (PSP Investments) (7.51%)
SOURCE 407 ETR Concession Company Limited