Cedar Springs, ON – The Lower Thames Valley Conservation Authority (LTVCA) has officially broken ground on a new parcel of land.  Glenn Seed LTD in partnership with Ridge Landfill Community Trust, Forests Ontario and Engie have come together to transform the current parcel at Orchard Farm into 14 acres of forest and 2 acres of wetlands.  This project will connect to existing forest tracts near the site and create meaningful progress towards the climate change resilience goals and objectives set out by the Chatham Kent Council 2035 Strategic Plan and Natural Heritage Strategies.

The LTVCA will be managing the project’s reforestation which includes eight Native Carolinian Species and a wetland restoration installation.

Randall Van Wagner, Manager of Conservation Lands and Services explains, “Many partners make for great projects, evident in the project we are starting here.  Providing close to $50, 000 in green infrastructure will improve the health of our watershed”.  Van Wagner continued to express his gratitude “I would like to thank all of the landowners and all the partners, including the Ridge Landfill Trust for the donation that will assist LTVCA in restoring our land in the South Kent area.”

Chatham-Kent Mayor Darrin Canniff welcomed the news of this latest environmental initiative.  “Projects such as this are vital for the environmental future of our community. The fact that so many groups and individuals are involved shows that there is a recognition in Chatham-Kent that we have a responsibility to act as stewards of the land, air and water and preserve and protect it for the generations to come.”

Forests and wetlands act as safe havens for numerous species – many ‘species at risk’ call this watershed home and need an important rest stop on their migration. These natural areas also contribute positive benefits to human health, ecological health and economic health including helping to: safeguard drinking water sources, maintain water tables for agriculture, industry and households, reduce impacts of climate change, promote soil health for agriculture and reduce flooding impacts.

Reforestation is expected to be completed in spring 2021.

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For further information please contact

Randall Van Wagner – Manager Conservation Lands and Services
Randall.VanWagner@ltvca.ca