Collavino Conservation Area Opens in Amherstburg
- dstuebing
- May 21
- 3 min read
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 area was created following the generous donation of the property by Mr. Loris Collavino and family in 2022. In 2023, the family contributed $100,000 to the Essex Region Conservation Foundation to help develop public amenities and support the site’s transformation into a community destination for outdoor education, recreation and nature appreciation. As part of the grand opening celebration, Mr. Collavino announced an additional donation of $50,000 to continue developing visitor amenities at the site.
“We are grateful that this donated land will be held in perpetuity to promote wetland conservation, education and public use,” said Mr. Loris Collavino.
Collavino Conservation Area is a Provincially Significant Wetland and Environmentally Significant Area that provides important habitat for a number of Species at Risk, including Blanding’s Turtle, Eastern Foxsnake and Queensnake. The site is also recognized as a Priority Canadian Habitat Site in the Detroit River Area of Concern, making its long-term protection and stewardship an important contribution to regional conservation and biodiversity goals.
“We could not be more thankful to the Collavino family for their philanthropy,” said Molly Allaire, Chair of the Essex Region Conservation Foundation. “Celebrating the opening of Collavino Conservation Area on the eve of the United Nations International Day for Biological Diversity highlights the importance this place as habitat for vulnerable species and where communities can connect with, appreciate, and protect the natural world. It will be stewarded with the utmost care to ensure that it remains a treasured destination for our children, and our children’s children, to enjoy forever.”
Visitors to the site can enjoy a 2.2-kilometre mowed walking trail featuring scenic views. Shade structures have been installed and in the coming weeks, interpretive signage sharing the history and ecological importance of the area will be added. A portable classroom donated by the Collavino family is also planned for renovation to support future school programming. Longer-term plans include a small memorial forest, a potential canoe and kayak launch, and a viewing tower overlooking the wetland.
The grand opening marks an important milestone for conservation in Windsor-Essex County, creating new opportunities for residents and visitors to connect with nature while ensuring this sensitive wetland habitat is protected for generations to come.
About the Collavino Family:
The Collavino family business began in the Windsor/Essex region in 1954 by brothers Rigo and Mario. They grew rapidly and by the mid-1970s, they were an international construction company doing work across North America and around the world. In 1975, the Collavinos started a precast concrete manufacturing company called Prestressed Systems Inc. Their precast operation was expanded in 2008 with the purchase of International Precast Solutions in Michigan. These two companies now employ over 300 people in both Canada and the United States have undertaken numerous high-profile projects on both sides of the border, including the supply/installation of precast concrete girders for the Right Honourable Herb Gray Parkway, precast panels on the Gordie Howe International Bridge, concrete bleachers at the Rogers Center in Toronto, and supplied much of the precast concrete for Little Caesars Arena, Comerica Park, and Ford Field. They are known for large stadium and parking deck work along with hotels, motels and numerous infrastructure projects.
Loris’ family moved to River Canard in 1983, and have always enjoyed the nature that surrounded them and the importance of sharing that with others. Their philanthropy has been appreciated by the Windsor and District Italian Canadian Handicapable Association, the Children’s Aid Society, the United Way, the Windsor Hospital Foundation and many other deserving charities.
About the Essex Region Conservation Authority:
The Essex Region Conservation Authority is a public sector organization established by the Province of Ontario and governed by local municipalities. Since 1973, it has delivered local programs and services that further the conservation, restoration, development and management of natural resources in watersheds in the Windsor-Essex County-Pelee Island region.
