ERCA’s contributing highlights to World Wetlands Day ’22

By Kenneth Pastushyn

The Essex Region Conservation Authority is raising awareness for World Wetlands Day and encouraging  the restoration and conservation of local habitats. 

Restoring of earthen dykes to protect five kilometres of trail around two wetland cells inside the Hillman Marsh located in Leamington next to Point Pelee National Park is one of ERCA’s projects. 

Record-high water levels and severe storms due to climate-change have washed away a sand ridge and breached parts of the existing dykes. ERCA, along with Ducks Unlimited Canada are working to repair the dykes to create mudflats for a shorebird and waterfowl habitat. 

“These repairs will ensure Hillman Marsh’s continued sustainability as part of the Lake Erie ecosystem, providing important green infrastructure to mitigate flooding, a key destination for birding and nature-based tourism,” said Tania Jobin, chairwoman of ERCA in a statement on the DUC web page from Dec. 7, 2021. 

Tourists from all over the world come to Hillman Marsh during the Shorebird Celebration to witness spring migration in May. They also come to Amherstburg’s Holiday Beach for the Festival of the Hawks during a fall migration in late September. The Holiday Beach Hawk Tower is open until late November. 

 ERCA, and DUC, along with the Amherstburg Community Foundation are also working on Phase One of the Holiday Beach Cycling Trail Project. 

 This bike path along County Road 50 will feature hills made of reclaimed material from other wetland reconstruction projects. It will also be part of the County Wide Active Transit Systems, providing access to local wineries and bed and breakfast locations.  

“Both of these wetland projects are important to help mitigate flooding, create habitat and improve water quality for Lake Erie,” said ERCA’s chief administrative officer Tim Byrne, in a press release on  

Feb.1, 2022.