About ERCA

Like all Conservation Authorities in Ontario, the Essex Region Conservation Authority is empowered through provincial legislation to further the conservation, restoration, development and management of natural resources other than gas, oil, coal and minerals. This mandate remains as valid today as it was in 1946, when the first Conservation Authority was established.
We were created in 1973 as one of the last Conservation Authorities in Ontario to work toward managing natural hazards and conservation issues.

Located at the tip of Southern Ontario, ERCA has jurisdiction in nine municipalities. These include the City of Windsor, Town of Pelee and the seven municipalities in Essex County . Nineteen representatives from these communities make up our Board of Directors. The area of our jurisdiction measures 1,681 square kilometres, and we manage more than 4,200 acres of natural lands.  To provide effective services and programs, we work in partnership with our member municipalities, federal and provincial ministries and other organizations.

We are uniquely organized on a watershed basis. A watershed is the area of land that drains to a river, creek or lake. We all live in and are connected by watersheds, and to protect water quality and use water wisely, we must understand this ecological neighbourhood. Because we cross municipal boundaries, all environmental decisions can be assessed on the basis of their impact on the entire watershed. Our projects and programs are guided by our 2016-2025 Strategic Plan.

 

The Place for Life

The Place for Life is a region with connected natural areas. A place with healthy rivers and streams, beaches you can swim in and lakes you can fish in. It has greenways and trails that connect you to your landscape and to each other. A place with productive agricultural lands. A sustainable place that is resilient and can adapt to change.

We embrace this place, and make it our home. For life.

Our Mission

To enrich and sustain our region as the Place for Life.

How You Can Help

Every day, in every way, we have the opportunity to make sustainable choices to lessen our impact on the environment. Planting native trees, choosing reusable containers, conserving water, saying ‘no’ to straws and bottled water are just some of the ways we can make a difference!

Board of Directors

Kieran McKenzie
Chair

Tania Jobin
Vice Chair

Tim Byrne
Interim General Manager, Secretary/Treasurer

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Contact Us

Essex Region Conservation Authority

360 Fairview Avenue West, Suite 311 Essex, ON N8M 1Y6

Phone: 519-776-5209

Toll Free: 1-888-487-4760

Fax: 519-776-8688

General Inquiries: admin@erca.org


Hours

Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM, holidays exempt


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Thank you!

We appreciate your feedback and will circulate your comments to the correct staff person.

If you have any further questions, you can reach us at during business hours at 519-776-5209.

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What’s next?

Within 10 business days, our staff will undertake a preliminary assessment of your submission to ensure all necessary information is included.  We will contact you to make payment arrangements at that time. Once payment has been received, and barring any unforeseen complications, permits can generally be issued within 21 days.

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Thank you!

We will contact you within 48 hours to confirm your rental.

If you have any questions in the meantime, you can reach us at admin@erca.org.