By: Matt Weingarden, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Lakeshore News Reporter
The Essex Region Conservation Authority (ERCA) Board of Directors has approved a $12-million budget for 2025, prioritizing conservation, habitat restoration and water quality improvement.
Key initiatives for the year include developing management plans for the new Collavino Conservation Area and the CASO Greenway trail, planting at least 50,000 trees and creating two new wetlands to enhance biodiversity. ERCA will continue water quality monitoring in greenhouse-influenced streams and implement a region-wide nutrient reduction program. The historic horse barn at the John R. Park Homestead will also be restored, with a grand re-opening planned for later in the year.
The budget will be funded through approximately $3.5 million in municipal cost apportionment, $7.9 million from non-municipal sources, $223,000 from previous years’ revenues and $587,000 in transfers from reserves. Of the municipal contribution, $3,053,491 is allocated to mandatory services as required by provincial regulations.
“The budget also reflects significant multi-year capital and water quality projects,” said Tim Byrne, ERCA’s chief administrative officer.
“Grants exceeding $15 million over four years will fund key initiatives, including the Hillman Marsh coastal erosion and restoration project, two Detroit River erosion and wetland protection projects, the Kingsville-Leamington nutrient research study and region-wide water quality improvement incentives for rural landowners.”
Between 2018 and 2024, ERCA secured nearly $15 million in non-municipal funds to support programs and projects categorized as non-mandatory under the Conservation Authorities Act. A recent report to the board highlighted the success of the Clean Water~Green Spaces initiative, which has protected vulnerable lands, restored habitats and improved water quality since 2003. Municipalities have contributed $14.8 million to the program over two decades, while ERCA secured an additional $15.2 million from federal and provincial governments, non-governmental agencies and the Essex Region Conservation Foundation.
“As an integrated watershed management agency, ERCA’s services have developed over decades to support ecological, social and economic health,” Byrne said.
“While the province has identified core mandatory services, ERCA has secured agreements with its nine member municipalities to continue delivering non-mandatory services essential to environmental sustainability.”
These non-mandatory services include tree planting on non-conservation lands, education and outreach programs, museum operations at the John R. Park Homestead and water quality monitoring.
The 2025 budget represents a modest increase for local households, with the municipal cost apportionment rising by 30 cents to $21.21 per year for a home assessed at $300,000. Municipalities contributing to a land securement and protection fund will pay $24.35 annually.
The Essex Region Conservation Authority is a public-sector organization established by the province and governed by local municipalities. For more than 50 years, ERCA has worked to conserve, restore and manage natural resources in watersheds across the region.
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