NEWS RELEASE
UPPER THAMES RIVER CONSERVATION AUTHORITY
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The Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) recently purchased 7.26 hectares (nearly 18 acres) of land from Auburn Developments and Drewlo Holdings. Located adjacent to Sifton Bog Environmentally Significant Area (ESA), this land is of high ecological importance. In fact, it is designated as an Area of Natural and Scientific Interest by the Government of Ontario.
“Having this property gives us the opportunity to add a buffer between urban development to the east and the highly sensitive bog site,” said Brandon Williamson, Land Management Coordinator with the UTRCA. The property will also undergo large-scale invasive species removal and ecological restoration with native trees, shrubs, and wildflowers.
“We have a role to protect the natural environment, and this falls directly within that,” shared Mayor Brian Petrie of Ingersoll, Ontario, and Chair of the UTRCA Board of Directors.
The public can enjoy the new addition to Sifton Bog ESA via a managed trail that now connects two pre-existing trails on the north and south ends of the property. “It provides an excellent outdoor fitness activity and an educational opportunity for residents and those using the trail, as well as youth so they can appreciate the importance of protecting our environment,” said Councillor Steve Lehman for Ward 8 in London, Ontario.
The purchase was made possible by a contribution of $262,000 from the Nature Smart Climate Solutions Fund, an Environment and Climate Change Canada program in partnership with Conservation Ontario. “It was a great opportunity when the UTRCA contacted us,” said Allen Drewlo from Drewlo Holdings. “It rounds out such a gem of a site that now can be managed wholly. I think that’s important for the community,” added Jamie Critch from Auburn Developments.
Both Critch and Drewlo described the acquisition as a long time in the making. “It was just a matter of how to facilitate it, so it was great that the federal government was able to help with the partnership,” said Critch.
Mayor Petrie aptly added, “This is a great outcome of collaboration. When people all work together, this is the kind of result we get.”
Visitors to Sifton Bog ESA will be greeted by two new kiosks near the parking lot. They display a map of the trail system, including the new trail through the acquired property, and supplementary information about the land and its environmental features.
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