Watershed News

The Contractor for the subject works is planning on performing directional drill work next Tuesday, August 11. This work would require the closure of the ERCA Greenway from 2nd Concession Road (Thomas Road) and 3rd Concession Road in Amherstburg. The duration would be 3 days. Thank you for your patience during these upgrades.

Please note that the parking lot at Ruscom Shores Conservation Area will be closed August 5th for resurfacing to improve accessibility. Thank you for your patience during these upgrades.

On Saturday, August 8, the John R. Park Homestead will host a Skills Saturday Workshop Series, in advance of the Lost Arts Festival. Participants are invited to join some of the many talented festival artists for a curated selection of workshops to learn new skills and leave with a finished work of art. “Lost arts often require specialized knowledge and an application of personal style that many modern activities don't demand,” said Homestead Curator Kris Ives. “This can

ERCA is inviting community members to review the draft Collavino Conservation Area Management Plan and share their feedback through an online survey open from July 20 to August 21, 2026. “Community input is an important part of planning for the long-term care of Collavino Conservation Area,” said Kevin Money, ERCA’s Director of Conservation Services. “We want to hear what people value about this special place, what questions or concerns they may have, and how we can balance c

The Essex Region Conservation Authority joined partners from the Ontario Conservation Accelerator, Parks Canada, regional First Nations, the City of Windsor, Friends of Ojibway Prairie and others to celebrate an important step forward in the creation of the proposed national urban park in the Windsor area, following the acquisition of 19 hectares of the former Windsor Raceway lands. These newly protected lands strengthen ecological connections to the Ojibway Prairie Complex,

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