Watershed News

Please be advised that the John R. Park Homestead museum and buildings will be closed Saturday, November 7th. The museum and Conservation Centre will reopen Sunday, November 8th at 11am. Conservation Area grounds are open for walk-through access from dawn to dusk daily.

A Wind Phone has been installed at the Collavino Conservation Area, thanks to the generosity of the Regan Family and in memory of their parents, Shirley and Ed. The Wind Phone is located along the mowed walking trail overlooking the wetland, and provides a special moment of reflection along the trail to connect with loved ones who have passed. "We are proud to honour and continue our parents' legacy of helping others," expressed the members of the Regan family. The Essex

The Province Of Ontario has introduced amendments to the Conservation Authorities Act (CAA), the Clean Water Act, 2006 (CWA), and the Lake Simcoe Protection Act, 2008 (LSPA) to align with the new regional CA framework. More information about the planned legislative amendments is provided at RR# 26-MECP017. The ministry is also seeking early input related to watershed councils that regional CAs will be required to establish to ensure that local interests are considered as p

Transport Canada’s Navigation Protection Program (NPP) administers the Canadian Navigable Waters Act (CNWA) which helps keep Canada’s navigable waters open for transport and recreation. In accordance with requirements of the Canadian Navigable Waters Act, BASF Properties Inc. hereby gives notice that an application has been submitted to the Minister of Transport for the Construction of the Erosion Protection Installation (Berm) and wetland creation in the Detroit River - Fi

SERVICE DISRUPTION: Holiday Beach Conservation Area roads will be closed Saturday October 24th from 8:30am - 11:30am for Sully’s Monster Dash run in support of the Children’s Health Foundation.

SERVICE DISRUPTION: Please be advised that The John R. Park Homestead museum and buildings will be closed Saturday, October 24th for the full day, as the site is rented for a private event. The museum buildings will reopen at Sunday, October 25th at 11am.

There’s so much to be thankful for across our region this Thanksgiving weekend. Please note that the museum and Conservation Centre at the John R. Park Homestead will be closed on Sunday, October 11 and Monday, October 12. The Conservation Area will reopen for regular hours Thursday. Grounds and walk-through access remain available daily. ERCA's main office will also be closed on Monday, October 12. As you enjoy our conservation areas and trails, remember they are open daily

Lakeshore - The Essex Region Conservation Authority (ERCA), in collaboration with the Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) will be treating Ruscom Shores Conservation Area to control Phragmites on Tuesday October 6th, 2026. This work is part of a coordinated effort to manage and restore this ecologically significant wetland. To ensure operations can run smoothly we are closing the site for the day to allow contractors to operate a variety of drones and specialized herbicide veh

Please be advised that the Homestead museum and Conservation Centre will open Thursday, September 24th at 2:30pm, as staff is off-site with education programming until that time. The grounds are open for walk through access from dawn to dusk daily.

Please note the parking lot at Hillman Marsh Conservation Area will be closed for grading and surfacing improvements on Monday, September 21.

(from left) Stakeholder Committee Representative Wayne King, Mayor Hilda MacDonald, Chief Nikki van Oirschot, ERCA Chair Molly Allaire, ERCA CAO Tim Byrne and Veronique Hiriart-Baer, Director General, Freshwater Management Directorate, Canada Water Agency celebrate the commencement of Phase 1A of construction for the Hillman Marsh Restoration Project. Leamington - The Essex Region Conservation Authority (ERCA) and partners including Caldwell First Nation, Canada Water Agency,

Essex Region – The Essex Region Conservation Authority Board of Directors has approved its draft 2027 Budget for circulation to member municipalities. “Total municipal funding for 2027 remains consistent with the 2026 level, offset by accumulated surplus in order to alleviate a source of budget pressure for our participating municipalities," said Tim Byrne, ERCA CAO. In 2025, the Province enacted Bill 68, the Plan to Protect Ontario Act (Budget Measures), 2025 (No. 2), which