WEHike for Conservation

There are two ways in which you can participate:

Host a Hike!

Host a private hike for you and your guests. As a Hike Host, you will:

• Invite your friends and family members to join you on a hike for conservation.
• Encourage a minimum donation per hiker of $25, or a suggested minimum family donation of $50.
• Use your imagination! Hikes can be any time of day or evening, and can range from a guided nature experience to a casual waterfront stroll!
• Host a private event for your guests, or encourage your team to sign up for one of our guided experiences.
• Receive a personalized invitation to send you your friends and family members.
• All eligible donations receive a tax receipt from the Foundation and all funds raised support local conservation initiatives.
• Consider an ‘after-hike’ celebration to raise even more funds for conservation!

If you are interested in hosting a private hike for conservation, contact Danielle Stuebing at dstuebing@erca.org for more information and your personalized invitation packages.

Join a Hike!

If you don't want to host a hike of your own, you can join up for one of these organized hikes. It couldn't be easier to join the fun! Simply choose an event below, invite your friends and family, make your tax-deductible donation and register!

There are many hikes to choose from!

Discover Devonwood Photography Hike

Location: Devonwood Conservation Area | Starting Time: 8AM | Approx. 2.5 km | Approx. Time: 1 hrs | Max. Participants: 15

Discover the magic of photographing this unique woodland with award-winning photographer Steve Biro. Located in the City of Windsor, Devonwood features more than 4.5 kilometres of trails promote healthy and active living for people of all ages. Perhaps no other woodland in Canada supports a greater diversity of oak trees in this urban forest. Learn tips and tricks from one of the region's premiere nature photographers! Bring your camera and/or cell phone camera.

Hike Leader: Steve Biro

Steve humbly describes himself as 'an amateur photographer gone viral'. You can check out his fabulous photography collection at https://www.stevebirophotography.com/. 

Holiday Beach - All things Winged, Wiggly and Wild! 

Location: Holiday Beach Conservation Area | Starting Time: 9AM - Meet at Classroom | Approx. 3 km | Approx. Time: 2 hrs | Max. Participants: 20

Experience all things winged, wiggling and wild on this native species hike on one of the region's largest coastal wetlands. Hawk Tower, Migration Observatory, bird census work, Prothonotary Warbler habitat, Hop Tree beach dune walk, and more! Please wear comfortable walking shoes and bring water. 

Hike Leader: Phil  Roberts 

Phil Roberts started his career in parks working in the national parks system and for conservation authorities in Ontario including ERCA. This led to a career in aviation where he helped manage the Windsor Airport for nearly 25 years. He left the airport to return to his parks roots as the Director of Parks for the City of Windsor and Director of Parks, Recreation, Facilities and Culture for the Town of Amherstburg. He is an accomplished wildlife control specialist, ecologist and avian researcher. He has a master permit to band birds specializing in raptors, passerines and waterfowl and is an active and founding member of the Holiday Beach Migration Observatory. Phil has a long-standing record of being involved in the environmental initiatives, habitat creation and restoration projects as well as avian migration monitoring and population census research. He sits on the Board of Directors for the Citizens Environment Alliance, Detroit River Canadian Cleanup - Public Advisory Council and formerly for the Essex County Field Naturalist’s Club and Jack Miner Migratory Bird Foundation. Phil is recently retired, lives in Gesto with his wife Lori where they frequently entertain their two adult daughters, Meg and Tess.

Ojibway National Urban Park

Location: Brunet Park | Starting Time: 10 AM  | Approx. 3 km | Approx. Time: 1.5 hr | Max. Participants: 20

Walk through Brunet Park and LaSalle Woods to learn more about the effort to create the Ojibway National Urban Park. Learn how to identify various Carolinian tree species and other significant species found in this world-class natural area.  

Hike Leader: Mike Fisher, Bill Roesel

Mike Fisher is the President of the Friends of Ojibway Park, and Bill Roesel is the Past-President. Bill also served as the City of Windsor Forester for several decades, and is a skilled naturalist and expert in urban forestry.

Kopegaron Woods

Location: Kopegaron Woods, Leamington | Starting Time: 10 AM  | Approx. 1 km | Approx. Time: 1 hr | Max. Participants: 20

The Carolinian Life Zone stretches from our region to Toronto and Niagara. It is the most diverse ecoregion in the country! Join us on Host a Hike Day to discover the incredible variety of classic Carolinian species in Kopegaron Woods! Early June is an exciting time to explore forests in our region as spring wildlife has returned and fresh leaves have appeared. We will also cover some tree identification tips and discuss the importance of maintaining a healthy natural heritage system in our region. 

SPECIAL NOTE: Dress for the weather; hike is rain or shine! Please wear sturdy footwear, and bring binoculars and your camera if you wish. There are no washroom facilities at the walk location.  

LOCATION:  Kopegaron Woods and Conservation Area, Highway 3 East, just west of Wheatley   

Hike Leader: Laura Neufeld, ERCA

Laura is currently the acting Community Outreach Coordinator with the Essex Region Conservation Authority, and the Remedial Action Plan Assistant with the Detroit River Canadian Cleanup. She works with both ERCA’s and DRCC’s partners, volunteers, organizations, businesses and individuals on a number of stewardship and citizen science initiatives. These in the field or on the ground actions help those involved connect to the environment and feel a sense of purpose and contribution. Laura is endlessly passionate about the environment and enjoys exploring natural areas with her family! 

Marvelous Maidstone!

Location: Maidstone Woods Conservation Area | Starting Time: 1 PM  | Approx. 1.5 km | Approx. Time: 1.5 hr | Max. Participants: 20

A beautiful gem tucked away in the middle of the region. Explore the winding trail through an oak-hickory woodland that passes along the upper meandering reaches of the Puce River. Learn how to identify various tree species in this classic Carolinian Forest and learn more about the Indigenous Signal Tree!

Hike Leader: Laura Neufeld, ERCA

Laura is currently the acting Community Outreach Coordinator with the Essex Region Conservation Authority, and the Remedial Action Plan Assistant with the Detroit River Canadian Cleanup. She works with both ERCA’s and DRCC’s partners, volunteers, organizations, businesses and individuals on a number of stewardship and citizen science initiatives. These in the field or on the ground actions help those involved connect to the environment and feel a sense of purpose and contribution. Laura is endlessly passionate about the environment and enjoys exploring natural areas with her family! 

Winery Walk for Conservation!

Location: Oxely Estate Winery | Starting Time: 1 PM  | Approx. 3 km | Approx. Time: 3 hrs | Max. Participants: 20

It's an EPIC adventure along the scenic County Rd. 50 in support of conservation!  We’ll begin our hike at Oxley Estate Winery for a fabulous tasting flight. From there, we’ll walk to North 42 for a tailored tasting experience and host-provided chacuterie. We'll finish our Winery Walk at CREW (Colchester Ridge Estate Winery) for our final tasting. All beverages along the hike are the responsibility of individual walkers (discounts have been negotiated).

Hike Leader: Danielle Breault Stuebing, ERCA

Danielle Breault Stuebing has been the Director of Communications for the Essex Region Conservation Authority since 1999.  A proud graduate of the University of Windsor and the recipient of the 2023 Alumni Ambassador Award, she volunteers for numerous organizations.  She was a member of the Rotary Club of Windsor St. Clair for 14 years and was honoured as Rotarian of the Year in 2005.  A tree-hugging mom, she enjoys hiking, cycling and camping with her kids.  A lifelong resident of the Essex Region, she is proud to contribute to enriching our region as the Place for Life.

Canoe Cedar Creek!

Location: Camp Cedarwin | Starting Time: June 2, 10 AM  | Approx. 8 km | Approx. Time:1.5-2 hrs | Max. Participants: 24

Canoe Cedar Creek with Outdoor Educator & ORCKA-certified Canoe Guide Phil Robson. Learn about the natural history of the area as you paddle one of the region's most bio-diverse watersheds. Cedar Creek is a tributary of Lake Erie. Watch for Blanding’s Turtles, Bald Eagles, Egrets, Great Blue Heron and more wild and wonderful species. Canoes and PFDs provided courtesy of Camp Cedarwin. Canoes will all be double occupancy and all registrants should be prepared to paddle. All participants under 18 years of age must be accompanied by an adult.

Hike Leader: 

Phil Robson is a certified ORCKA (Ontario Recreational Canoe Kayaking Association) Canoe Guide and Instructor in Basic Paddling, Canoe Tripping, and Canadian Style Paddling. An outdoors professional, he is an Outdoor Recreation Instructor for the Faculty of Human Kinetics, University of Windsor;  a High School Teacher and Outdoor Educator at Maranatha Christian Academy and was formerly ERCA's Environmental Educator.