Photo courtesy of Ojibway.ca.Photo courtesy of Ojibway.ca.
Windsor

Restoring Spring Garden Natural Area After Parkway Construction

Now that construction on the Rt. Hon. Herb Gray Pkwy. is done, work to restore the Spring Garden Natural Area in west Windsor continues.

It was part of the permits received for construction on the project. About 130 ha. of land will be restored and enhanced for species at risk including the Eastern Foxsnake, Butler's Gartersnake and other prairie and savannah species.

The Essex Region Conservation Authority is also considering a prescribed burn in the area to regenerate prairie and savannah habitats.

"Restoration will focus on creating more open habitats and movement corridors," says Director of Conservation Services, Kevin Money. "Work is continuing to selectively remove invasive, woody shrubs and trees which are threatening the biological integrity of the area."

"Spring Garden has been identified as provincially, regionally and locally significant because it is an outstanding example of remnant prairie, savannah and oak woodland vegetation," says City of Windsor Park Naturalist, Karen Cedar. "It offers very rare and important habitat values, but these values are presently at risk due to invasive species such as the Autumn Olive."

The work began last winter, and this round is expected to take until April.

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