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By Sheila Laurin

On Wednesday, April 9, 2025, Kandyce Affleck who works for the Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) as a conservation biologist gave us a presentation. It included an overview of the NCC owned properties in our area.   

NCC, which began in 1962, is working to protect natural areas across Canada.  It has helped protect habitat for many species at risk and provide permanent natural areas which can also benefit people who enjoy and appreciate nature. As a non-profit organization, they do fundraising for all their projects. If you wish to learn more about them, see their website.  Nature Conservancy of Canada: NCC    

The NCC Florian Diamante Nature Reserve on Pelee Island was a full ecological restoration project of an agricultural field to a natural area which included construction of a wetland.  This 62 acre site is open to the public.  Kandyce noted that there has been a significant increase in wildlife since 2022 in the area and seeds were planted to increase plant diversity. 

The NCC Marianne Girling Nature Reserve is located near the community of Harrow, is approximately 102 acres.  It contains a significant area with wetlands, Marshfield woods and meadows. (open to the public)  It was named in Marianne’s honour because it was made possible by her generous donation. The late Marianne Girling (1927-2018) was born and raised in Windsor, Ontario. She loved being in nature, and believed strongly in protecting natural areas.  She is a local conservation hero who is featured in the NCC Annual report of 2018/19. 

The NCC Upper Cedar Creek Nature Reserve has 20 hectares of beautiful Carolinian forest and wetland areas. The property was purchased from the Orfeo Lucchese family.  

The NCC Oxley Poison Sumac Swamp – approximately 321 acres have been restored to natural habitat, and is monitored.  It is also designated as an Area of Natural and Scientific Interest (ANSI).

The NCC Hillman Sand Hills Nature Reserve is a project which is in progress.  It is approximately 30 hectares of natural area.  The project involves the development of plans for restoration.  It is a habitat for many species at risk and it is an important area for habitat conservation. 

By Alexander Campbell

Committee Statement:

  The Turtle Conservation Committee of the Essex County Field Naturalists Club is committed to protecting and conserving turtles, their nests and habitats in Essex County. While partnering with the local conservation authority and other environmental groups, the goals are to identify overwintering sites, nesting sites, critical habitats and threats to the established populations, and to extend our knowledge of the abundance and distribution of native turtles in Essex County. The major key components of this project will be visual encounter surveys, nest monitoring and protection, and road mortality surveys. 

Why a Turtle Conservation Committee?

Not only in Essex County, but in all of North America, turtles are the most endangered vertebrates. Essex County is home to seven of the eight turtle species found in Ontario, all of which are designated as Endangered, Threatened or Special Concern Federally. However, only six of the seven turtles found in Essex County are designated as Endangered, Threatened or Special Concern Provincially. Urban development in Essex County has accounted for the loss of thousands of turtles, decreasing their population and contributing to the mass mortality of turtles. The protection of turtle nests increases the chances of successful hatching to almost 100%, hyper-abundant species such as foxes, raccoons and skunks are accountable for the destruction and predation of millions of turtle nests in Ontario. While actively surveying populations and protecting turtle nests, the committee will contribute to the increase in turtle populations in Essex County. 

Want to learn more about the Turtle Conservation Committee? 

Join us on March 26th, 2025 from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm at the Ojibway Nature Centre, located at 5200 Matchett Road Windsor, Ontario N9C 4E8 for an introduction to the committee. Learn about past, current and future projects undertaken by the Turtle Conservation Committee. This pop-up event will include a presentation about the committee, turtle identification, threats and more!

For further details or to get involved email: 

Alexander Campbell, 
Turtle Conservation Committee – Chair / Lead Project Biologist 
 

By Cameron Chevalier

See below for a summary of the 2024 bird observations in Essex County, along with several other local bird-related articles.
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