ERCA takes over stewardship of sensitive Windsor parkway lands

The Essex Region Conservation Authority is taking over more than 100 acres of environmentally significant lands within the city of Windsor to provide long-term protection and stewardship.

The Ministry of Transportation transferred 106 acres of “high-quality, purpose-built environmental habitat” along the Herb Gray Parkway to ERCA, the conservation authority said in a release.

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The lands were created as part of the highway connector project extending Highway 401 to the border.

“These lands include a created wetland and allowed endangered species to be transplanted during the parkway construction. They consist primarily of Tallgrass Prairie habitat, which is rare in Canada,” the conservation authority said.

The land is located within the proposed Ojibway National Urban Park within the Detroit River watershed.

A section of 106 acres of environmentally significant lands in Windsor that have been transferred to the Essex Region Conservation Authority by the Ministry of Transportation is shown on Friday, April 11, 2025. Photo by Dan Janisse /Windsor Star

The conservation authority will undertake additional restoration on the lands and ensure it is maintained to protect rare native prairie and oak savannah habitat, and species-at-risk found at the site, including Butler’s garter snake, Eastern Foxsnake, Kentucky coffeetree and others.

Ongoing maintenance will include invasive species management and regularly prescribed burns as part of a management strategy.

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“We extend our sincere gratitude to the Ministry of Transportation for designating ERCA as the recipient of these lands, thereby enabling their protection and stewardship in perpetuity,” said Tim Byrne, CAO for the Essex Region Conservation Authority.

“We are particularly honored to continue our collaboration as dedicated land stewards in support of the establishment of the Ojibway National Urban Park.”