Major Donation Helps Hodges Pond Restoration

Tuesday, 25 July 2017 08:06

A $50,000 donation will go a long way as community partners work on the re-naturalization of Hodges Pond

Nearly 400 acres of land around Hodges Pond in Norwich Township is being re-naturalized thanks to a $50,000 donation from the Cowan Foundation.

The 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 and Forestry. The Cowan Foundation will be presenting a $50,000 cheque for the project on Thursday morning.

The reservoir is currently a sediment-filled shallow lake with extremely low oxygen levels and high bacteria counts. This was caused by its low usage rate.
Director at Ducks Unlimited Canada Phil Holst tells Heart FM they will be using the money to pay for excavation work to create functioning wetlands.

"The idea of it, is to not only create wildlife habitat and improve water quality but to act as a form of what we call green infrastructure. It should help reduce flooding and it should also help increase the flow at Cedar Creek when we have dry periods that the wetlands seep back into the stream underground. So the main thing is to have conservation that actually works to create infrastructure."

Holst says the work will lead to a re-naturalization of the pond that will promote new diverse vegetation and habitat. He notes this work is just one of the latest projects they have been doing in Oxford County.

"Hodges Pond [Wetlands] is a continuation of a long list of stewardship work that is progressively restoring the natural heritage of Oxford County and surrounding regions. I am so inspired by all the contributions of time, expertise, funding, and a strongly shared vision for wetland conservation here in Oxford County."

Executive Director of The Cowan Foundation Terry Reidel says they are proud to help support this great project and partnership.

"The Cowan Foundation is providing another donation in partnership with Ducks Unlimited Canada, Stewardship Oxford, and Oxford County because the Hodges Pond Wetlands Restoration Project has numerous water related benefits including flood attenuation, providing habitat for wildlife and offering opportunities for people in the community to engage with nature through enhanced wildlife viewing and nature access points. Once again, this 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."