While washing your car, park it on the grass; otherwise, cleaning chemicals and other pollutants picked up by the water was into storm drains and on to rivers and lakes. Grass and other vegetation help filter pollutants.

Seed Collection Program

In furthering its goal of creating a sustainable future for the Essex Region, ERCA and its Emerald Ash Borer Response Program partners have planned several tree seed collection events in the coming weeks. The collected seeds will be propagated into seedling trees that will be planted back into our region's landscape within the next few years. ERCA and its EABR Program partners currently organize the largest community based seed collection program in Canada.

"It's important to maintain an ample stock of native seeds if we want to succeed in reaching our goal of 12% natural areas coverage," says Matthew Child, Director of Watershed Restoration. "Seed collected from local trees are genetically programmed to thrive in our local conditions. These seedlings will outperform trees from seed that is collected elsewhere in southwest Ontario and southeast Michigan."

Some events are undertaken in partnership with local schools, while the public event are great ways for high school students to enjoy the outdoors while working towards their volunteer service hours, and for families to spend time together in an outdoor setting. What's more, participants will leave with the satisfaction that they have helped contribute toward a cleaner and healthier environment. See our schedule of events below for your chance to participate.