Our region is the Place for Life
Foundation breathes life into outdoor places
“I love watching students see their first dragonfly landing at the pond,” says Richard Wyma, general manager of Essex Region Conservation Authority (ERCA) and executive director of the Essex Region Conservation Foundation.
ERCA was founded in 1973, the foundation in 1977. To date, ERCA’s outdoor education programs have provided 350,000 kids with learning opportunities, helping them naturally develop critical thinking and creative skills, their senses sharpened by the fresh air.
For adults, “there are mental and spiritual health benefits gained in the outdoors that you just don’t get in the gym,” Wyma says.
Local residents and visitors now have even more outdoor spaces to explore with the April 2017 opening of the 22-kilometre Cypher Systems Group Greenway, stretching from Amherstburg to the Town of Essex and linking the Chrysler Canada Greenway.
Contributing $250,000 toward the $3.5-million project, “Cypher Systems Group is a tremendous partner,” says Susan Stockwell Andrews, volunteer president of the Essex Region Conservation Foundation and co-chair of the Place for Life campaign. “They understand that it’s important to the employees they are trying to recruit to our community that we have areas that people want to live in.”
Through its diligent work, the foundation has united partners in the development of the region’s premier trail systems, spanning nearly 80 kilometres and connecting all of the region’s municipalities and nearly 30 otherwise separate natural areas.
Efforts have also resulted in restoring and preserving the heritage Kingsville Train Station and John R. Park Homestead, the only living farmhouse museum west of London, drawing families and school groups eager to experience pioneer times.
“We’ve quietly yet effectively made a significant impact on this community,” Wyma notes.
“A lot of people don’t realize the foundation has been behind the Greenway, Heritage Forests, LaSalle Woods, important tracts of Cedar Creek and other popular public green spaces,” he says. Raising millions of dollars for the ambitious projects, outside of government funding allocated for ERCA’s operations, “we’ve accomplished everything through great partnerships with corporations, organizations and individuals.”
Celebrating 40 years of advancing environmental health in the community,the Essex Region Conservation Foundation officially launched its Place for Life campaign during its anniversary reception at the Windsor Club on June 21.
The fundraising initiative reinforces that all elements of a place are interconnected – the community, its environmental health, healthy lifestyles for citizens and the economy.
The Place for Life campaign is off to a great start. The Rotary Club of Windsor (1918) has committed to donating $225,000 for the creation of the three-kilometre Rotary (1918) Centennial Hub, joining the Chrysler Canada Greenway, Herb Gray Parkway Trails and Town of Tecumseh and LaSalle Trails. . “All of our communities will now be connected because of this hub. Walk, run, cycle – however you enjoy the trails, you’ll be able to travel safely from Windsor to Pelee Island,” says Stockwell Andrews.
The campaign’s goal is to raise $1 million over three years to support four pillars designed to enrich and sustain the Place for Life.
Objectives of Connecting our Communities include connecting the Oldcastle Hub to other ERCA active trails, rebuilding the boardwalk and building an outdoor playground and classroom at Holiday Beach and resurfacing trails at Devonwood Conservation Areas, supporting nearly 80 kilometres of safe and accessible Greenway trails, and creating four community entrances for the Cypher Systems Group Greenway to enhance access for the community.
Greening our Region goals are to create two new forests and support habitat creation of 125 acres per year. In total, 20,000 acres of restoration are required to meet the community’s goal of 12 per cent natural area coverage.
Plans for Inspiring Future Generations are to ensure that a minimum of 10,000 students each year benefit from outdoor education programs, the Earth Day Travelling Road
Show continues to be brought to more than 3,500 students annually, and an innovative Natural Playground at Holiday Beach Conservation Area is created to connect kids with nature while nurturing their imaginations.
The Preserving our Heritage project is to restore the sawmill at the John R. Park Homestead, ensuring cultural heritage is preserved for the future.
“Everyone can be involved in supporting the Place for Life campaign,” Stockwell Andrews says. One-time donations of a few dollars to large corporate contributions are appreciated and acknowledged. “For instance, if you make a $500-commitment for three years, you can become a Place Embracer.”
Return on investment can actually be measured in reduced stress levels and improved well-being. Wyma explains, “A dollar spent on the Greenway saves three dollars in healthcare costs. Take a walk in our woods and strengthen your immunity!
“The legacy that we have collectively, together, created for this region is truly something we should all be proud of and celebrate, and we hope that everyone will want to get involved in enriching our region as the Place for Life!”
We hope that everyone will want to get involved in enriching our region as the Place for Life!