On Monday, March 12, 2018, we were delighted to welcome Richard, from Windsor’s Rotary Club 1918.
Richard discussed a proposed opportunity to create the Rotary Legacy Forest. This is a 70-acre restoration project that would cultivate planting 50,000 trees and create a wetland in the Cedar Creek area. The Cedar Creek wetlands area is located in the center of the Windsor-Essex County region.
Cedar Creek is one of the most biologically significant areas in the region because it builds on the existing natural areas, provides multiple environmental benefits and links to other surrounding natural areas in the region.
The proposed 70-acre restoration project would serve to restore the agricultural lands back to its pre-settlement conditions. This would include elements such as a forest area, wetlands, prairie habitat, and create a riparian buffer along drainage corridors leading into the wetlands. Restoration of this site will enhance terrestrial habitat, while also having a positive impact on the natural aquatic ecosystems.
The creation of the Rotary Legacy Forest will also help to reduce phosphorus runoff of Lake Erie, which is a primary contributor to harmful algae blooms.
The 70-acre Rotary Legacy Forest investment project would ultimately have a lasting impact on the health of the Windsor-Essex-Pelee Island region.