Protecting & Restoring the Environment

A goal of 12% natural area coverage of our region has been identified by our community. Through efforts over 35 years with the ERCF, ERCA, municipalities, and landowners, we have raised our coverage from less than 5% to 7.5%. Achieving the additional 5% required means restoring an additional 20,750 acres of the region's 415,000 acres (1,681 km2). This means another 12.5 million trees are needed in this region. ERCF continues to contribute to the greening of our region through restoration, in partnership with the Authority, corporations, and individuals.

In addition, we need to ensure significant natural areas are acquired and managed to protect their natural heritage values. In partnership with ERCA, residents, Nature Conservancy of Canada, Ducks Unlimited Canada and other provincial and federal partners, ERCF has been instrumental in protecting significant natural areas throughout the region - including acquisition of properties in Cedar Creek, LaSalle Woods, and the Spring Garden Prairie complex in Windsor.

How You Can Support Greening the Essex Region: