Restoration Project Gets Green Light

Friday, 17 January 2020 08:17

A new restoration project has been approved by Woodstock City council that'll be located on the south side of Highway 401. Ducks Unlimited Canada is in partnership with the City and the Cowan Foundation.

WOODSTOCK - Ducks Unlimited Canada received approval from Woodstock City council to begin on a new restoration project.

It'll be on the south side of the Highway 401 between Sweaburg Interchange just west of the Highway 59 interchange, where two large wetlands will be restored.

National Director Philip Holst says it's a great location to construct the project.

"The idea came about because we are always looking for new sites to improve highly functioning wetlands. The other part of it is that this is such a highly visible location that large numbers of people will be able to see the results of, or the change of, from a large unrestored wetland to a restored one that also includes forestry and pollinative and public access and treatment of fresh water. And not very often do you get to do a project of this size that is right beside a major highway, so very good visibility."

The parcel of land this project will be built on is owned by the City and the work will include removing invasive phragmites from the site. It'll also include a full-colour highway sign next to the wetland.

Woodstock City council gave permission to Ducks Unlimited at last night's meeting.

Holst adds the sign will be about 16 x 8 feet, or maybe a little bit larger depending on how far it has to be from the main highway.

Mayor Trevor Birtch says it'll be beneficial to the community.

"Having a project like this where it's in a very highly visible area like the 401 corridor, it'll not only bring awareness for all of our citizens here in Woodstock but it'll also draw attention from all of our neighbours."

The project is expected to cost approximately $80,000. The Cowan Foundation has already committed $45,000, but Mayor Birtch adds council has not committed any money to the project at this point.

Holst adds there will be tree planting and other restoration work that will go on for the next year or two and they'll be looking for volunteers to participate in the tree planting.

He says the project should start in September, with most of the work expected to be done by the end of 2020 or early 2021.