By Staff
June 18th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
Restoration work surpasses goal, reaching nearly 16 hectares—the equivalent of 30 football fields
A question that is asked of us frequently is who owns the 407 ETR?
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%)
– In recognition of Pollinator Week, 407 ETR has announced that its pollinator conservation efforts with the Canadian Wildlife Federation (CWF) have surpassed the12-hectare goal of roadside restoration.
The initiative is on track to restore 15.8 hectares of habitat restoration—the equivalent of approximately 30 football fields. Today, there are 15 projects underway within local municipalities and conservation areas in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). The restoration work includes Kingsford Gardens in Oakville; boulevard restorations in Toronto; roadside restorations in Halton Hills; and a roadside meadow plot in Keswick.
Photographs that tell part of the 407 ETR story on roadside vegetation management to support the recovery of monarchs, bees, hummingbirds and other pollinator species.
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 Oakville Green 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.
Access points to the 407 ETR
“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.”
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.
Eight species of native bees are considered at risk in Canada 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.
Highway 407 ETR highway spans 108 kilometres from Burlington in the west to Pickering in the east.
