Hillman Marsh is culturally, socially, and environmentally significant within the Essex Region. Over the past number of years, significant erosion has seriously impacted the marsh, and without immediate action, the beach and marsh will continue to disappear. The loss of the barrier beach has removed the first line of defense against water level rise and storm driven waves, compromising the surrounding homes, farms, and businesses.

Rights holders, stakeholders, scientists and others have been working together over the past year to develop the Hillman Marsh Conservation Area Restoration Plan. Preliminary research is ongoing, and public consultation is an important next step in the process.

The public is invited to hear more about this effort, and to provide input, on October 3rd, 2023, from 6:00pm-8:00pm, and October 10th, 2023, from 6:00pm-8:00pm. Meetings will take place at the Nature Fresh Farms Recreation Centre in Leamington, in Sherk Auditorium “B”. This will be an open-house style meeting, with a presentation on project progress and the proposed restoration concepts at 7:00pm.

Attendees will have the opportunity to share ideas and feedback verbally or through feedback forms.

All are welcome to attend and preregistration is encouraged at http://tinyurl.com/HMCA1. You can also email Jenny Gharib at jgharib@erca.org.

The Essex Region Conservation Authority is a public sector organization established by the Province in 1973, and governed by local municipalities. For 50 years, it has delivered programs and services that further the conservation, restoration, development and management of natural resources in watersheds in the Essex Region.