Watershed News

Due to today's poor air quality, guided tours at the John R. Park Homestead will not be available on Thursday, July 16. The grounds will remain open for walk-through access, and the indoor Conservation Centre and washrooms will be open. Please exercise caution when engaging in any outdoor activities today.

Barrette Excavating will be closing the trail tomorrow to perform some maintenance to the drain.

Holiday Beach Conservation Area is currently without power and access to public facilities. Hydro crews have been contacted and are working to restore power to the conservation area. It is anticipated that power will be restored later this evening or early Sunday morning. Thank you for your patience as we work to remedy damage from yesterday's storms.

As a result of the storm and high winds yesterday, there are tree limbs and branches down on several trails and in various conservation areas. Please proceed with caution when accessing our properties. Our teams are working diligently to address these hazards. If you come across any damaged areas that need to be addressed, please contact at ParkWatch parkwatch@erca.org or 519-971-2813.

ERCA offices and the John R. Park Homestead Museum and Conservation Centre will be closed on Wednesday, July 1 to observe Canada Day. Regular hours will resume Thursday, July 2. Happy Canada Day!

Blanding’s Turtles are one of the species that can be found at Collavino Conservation Area. A temporary partial trail closure is in effect through July to provide turtle nests the best chance of survival. Essex Region – Approximately one kilometre of trail at the new Collavino Conservation Area in Amherstburg will be temporarily closed through June and July to allow for turtle protection during the nesting season. “Collavino Conservation Area has a high concentration of Spec

Dr. Katie Stammler with a female mayfly (forefront) and male (pictured right, and darker in colour). Essex Region – They’re back! Residents across Windsor, Essex County and Pelee Island are once again seeing mayflies, also known as fish flies, gather around shorelines, streetlights, windows and buildings. While their appearance can be messy and inconvenient, this annual emergence is an important natural event and a visible reminder that aquatic insects are part of a functioni

Essex Region – The Essex Region Conservation Authority (ERCA) will hold its regularly scheduled Board of Directors’ meeting at the Essex County Civic and Education Centre on Thursday, June 18 at 6:00 pm. Agenda items include: 2025 Audited Financial Statements and Financial Condition Update Conservation Authority Transition Planning and Appointment of Transition Committee Members Designation of Leah Gibbs as a Provincial Offences Officer John R. Park Homestead Conservati

Leamington – Nature Fresh Farms® continued its support of the wetland restoration effort at Hillman Marsh on June 11 as dozens of team members gathered to plant native wetland species as part of the Hillman Marsh restoration effort. "Projects like the restoration of Hillman Marsh demonstrate what's possible when organizations come together around a shared commitment to environmental stewardship,” said Rob Peeters, VP, Strategy & Corporate Affairs, Nature Fresh Farms. “We're p

Please be advised that the parking lot, grounds, and museum at the John R. Park Homestead will be closed to the public on Friday, June 5 as hazard trees as a result of recent wind events are removed from the Fox Creek trail. The site will re-open as usual on Saturday, July 6 at 11am.

Mike and Debbie McMahon of Lakeland Homes are joined by Essex Region Conservation Foundation Chair, and Tim Byrne, ERCA CAO and Foundation Executive Director to receive the Clifford Hatch Conservation Foundation Award Essex Region – The Essex Region Conservation Foundation has recognized local organizations and individuals for their philanthropy at its Donor Appreciation and Awards, held on May 27. “Conservation Foundation Awards have been presented since 2012, honouring thos

Students from Holy Cross Elementary School joined the Collavino family and dignitaries from across the region to celebrate the grand opening of Collavino Conservation Area. Amherstburg – On May 21, nearly 150 guests joined the Collavino family, owners of Prestressed Systems Inc., the Essex Region Conservation Authority (ERCA) and Foundation and local dignitaries to celebrate the grand opening of the new Collavino Conservation Area in Amherstburg, Ontario. The conservation