Cowan Foundation Supports Beachville Wetlands

Tuesday, 31 January 2017 13:43

The Thames River Wetlands Beachville Restoration Project was given $25,000 from the Cowan Foundation.

BEACHVILLE - The Cowan Foundation has donated $25,000 to the Thames River Wetlands Beachville Restoration Project.

All of the money donated was allocated to phase 2 of the project last fall where 11 wetlands were excavated on the 260 acres of property. This spring the area will start to naturalize and eventually trees, shrubs and native tall grasses will be planted. Director of Ducks Unlimited Canada Phil Holst tells Heart FM their goal is to enhance the area even further.

"It's a beautiful spot down there, it just needs a little bit more work to develop it's ability to act as a natural sponge to mitigate flooding and enhance the rivers ability to stay flowing more fully in the summertime."

The Thames River Wetlands Beachville Restoration Project is a partnership between Oxford County, Stewardship Oxford, Ducks Unlimited Canada, the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority and the Ministry of Natural Resources.

Holst adds they were blown away by the support from the Cowan Foundation.

“We are very grateful to The Cowan Foundation for their confidence in Ducks Unlimited and Stewardship Oxford to complete this important conservation work. This project is already adding to the ability of the floodplain to mitigate flooding on the Thames River while returning the area to a healthy functioning habitat.”

Executive Director of the Cowan Foundation Terry Reidel says the foundation was happy to support such a worthwhile project.

“The Cowan Foundation is pleased to support the Thames River Wetlands Beachville Restoration Project, an initiative that is important to our clients, employees and business partners in Oxford County and aligns with our goal to make a positive difference in the lives of Canadians and the broader well-being of our communities. Having Ducks Unlimited, Stewardship Oxford and the Upper Thames Conservation Authority working together to naturalize 260 acres is a significant undertaking and very much deserving of our donation.”