Amherstburg – Watersheds in Amherstburg will be healthier, thanks to the support of the Amherstburg Community Foundation (ACF). The ACF has raised funds toward the creation of a new wetland at Holiday Beach Conservation Area. Wetlands act like kidneys that filter water, cleaning out nutrients like phosphorus and other contaminants. Locally, nearly 95% of the Essex Region’s original wetlands have been lost since settlement began near the end of the 18th century.
“The Amherstburg Community Foundation is pleased to help make Amherstburg an even better place to live and visit,” said Richard Peddie, President of the Amherstburg Community Foundation. “One of the Foundation’s values is ‘healthy’. Combining cycling with wetlands will definitely help make both our residents and environment healthier.”
The 1 acre wetland is being constructed as the first phase of a single track cycling project for which funds are still being raised. Ultimately, the excavated fill from the wetland will be used to create topographical interest for the new cycling trail. The new trail will traverse around the new and existing wetlands, through the Essex County Demonstration Farm, and connect with trails already created within the Conservation Area. Interest in cycling trails continues to grow with the expansion of Greenways and the County Wide Active Transportation System.
“Wetlands are increasingly important when it comes to managing the impacts of extreme rainfall events, mitigating the impacts of flooding and taking action against climate change,” said Claire Wales, President of the Essex Region Conservation Foundation. “We are extremely thankful to the Amherstburg Community Foundation and all of its donors for their leadership in supporting this exciting project that benefits the environment, and encourages healthy and active lifestyles.”
The Amherstburg Community Foundation’s mission is to make Amherstburg the best small town in Ontario.
Since 1973, Essex Region Conservation has been sustaining and enriching the environment of the Windsor-Essex-Pelee Island region to ensure it is the Place for Life.
