FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                                                    

February 4, 2020

 

MASSE JOINS LEADING ENVIRONMENTAL GROUPS CALLING FOR THE PROTECTION OF OJIBWAY SHORES: Create a National Urban Park to protect land in southern Ontario to mitigate effects of climate change

 OTTAWA –  Today, Brian Masse M.P. (Windsor West), NDP Innovation, Science, Industry and Great Lakes Critic, joined with the Wildlands League and Chief Duckworth of Caldwell First Nation to call for the protection Ojibway Shores permanently.

Ojibway Shores is a vital 33-acre greenspace and the last remaining, undeveloped natural shoreline in along the Detroit River in Canada. It is home to numerous endangered species that rely on migration through surrounding local parks for survival.  This includes Ojibway Park, Spring Garden Natural Area, Black Oak Heritage Park, and the Tallgrass Prairie Park. Additionally the area helps to mitigate flooding and erosion due to climate change. The property is owned by the federal government and managed by the Windsor Port Authority (WPA).

“Tallgrass Prairie is the most endangered ecosystem in Canada,” stated Janet Sumner, Executive Director of Wildlands League, “and it is also the most resilient to a warming climate.”

The current archipelago of protection in Windsor preserves a critically endangered remnant Tallgrass Prairie ecosystem. There are over 160 provincially rare species here- more than anywhere else in Ontario. It also is one of the best natural sponges for extreme wet weather, a fact not lost in a city where flood insurance is almost impossible to obtain and basement flooding is an annual event.

“The desire to unite these parcels under a National Urban Park banner is gaining momentum. Ojibway shores is the missing puzzle piece that would unlock the possibility of establishing Canada’s newest National Urban Park.  Wildlands League is excited to be supporting this initiative,” says Sumner.

“Caldwell First Nation has strong relationships with Point Pelee National Park and with Essex Regional Conservation Authority – building relationships with organizations to ensure conservation.  Being that this area is the last remaining natural shore line and the many species at risk it’s important to work together to preserve our habitat,” stated Chief Mary Duckworth of Caldwell First Nation.

“This group of natural properties would protect the entire area for these endangered species that rely on all of this space for their survival for the long-term and preserve this essential part of our natural heritage while helping to address some of the impacts of climate change. The federal government has the unique opportunity act since it owns the property and can transfer it from WPA to Environment Canada with one signature and begin the process establishing a National Urban Park,” Masse stated.

-30-

Information: Mohummed Peer [email protected] or 519-982-8816