November 10, 2023

Cooper Marsh Conservation Area. Photo courtesy of Ontario Power Generation.

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. For more information about RRCA’s Conservation Areas, visit rrca.on.ca or contact (613) 938-3611 or info@rrca.on.ca.