RRCA's Cooper Marsh Conservation Area & Gray's Creek Conservation Area Undergo Enhancements

On November 20, the Raisin Region Conservation Authority's (RRCA) Cooper Marsh Conservation Area will close for several weeks due to habitat enhancement work that is part of a larger project ongoing since last fall thanks to funding secured by Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC).

"The RRCA and DUC have been partners in conservation for over 30 years to manage and maintain the earthen dykes at Cooper Marsh," says Lisa Van De Ligt, RRCA's Communications and Stewardship Team Lead. "These structures are responsible for maintaining the wetland conditions ideal for wildlife habitat at the Marsh."

Select trails have remained open during the maintenance, but the Marsh now requires complete temporary closure as machinery must use the main parking lot as a staging area until mid-January 2024. The entire project is set to be completed in the spring or summer of 2024.

Owned and managed by the RRCA, Cooper Marsh is one of the conservation authority's three Conservation Areas, along with Charlottenburgh Park and Gray's Creek.

"In all, the RRCA currently conserves and maintains 1,853 acres of environmentally significant land to preserve ecologically sensitive habitat, increase tree cover, maintain green infrastructure for flooding resilience, and to provide recreation and eco-tourism opportunities," adds Van De Ligt.

Additionally, the trails at Cooper Marsh will be closed on November 16 and 17 for a culvert repair. The Marsh's parking lot and picnic area will remain open during the culvert repair.

Select trails at Gray's Creek are also set to close for several weeks due to forest management.

The RRCA is continuing forest management operations at Gray's Creek Conservation Area to improve forest health and public safety. Specifically, the RRCA is continuing to selectively remove hazardous and dead or dying trees along the trails.

"This tree removal is especially due to damage from recent storms as well as the emerald ash borer beetle, an invasive species," says RRCA Communications Specialist, Vincent Pilon. "The beetle's larvae burrow into the tree and feed on its inner bark. This cuts off access to valuable nutrients, leading to the death of the tree."

The RRCA will be replacing the trees with a variety of native species. Tree removal is complete along the trails west of the roadway through Gray's Creek (i.e., Conservation Road). These trails have been reopened and are clearly marked as open to the public.

Select closed trails are set to reopen early next year, once the tree removal is complete.

Located in South Glengarry, immediately east of Cornwall, Gray's Creek offers nature trails, a park and picnic area, a marina, geocaches, and a self-guided arboretum tour. The Conservation Area welcomed 106,000 visitors in 2022.

The RRCA currently conserves and maintains 1,853 acres of environmentally significant land – including its three publicly accessible Conservation Areas – to preserve ecologically sensitive habitat, increase tree cover, maintain green infrastructure for flooding resilience, and to provide recreation and eco-tourism opportunities.

Visitors are encouraged to explore the nature trails at the conservation authority's Charlottenburgh Park, which are open year-round at no cost. For more information about RRCA's Conservation Areas, visit rrca.on.ca or contact (613) 938-3611 or [email protected]. or [email protected].