A portion of Collavino Conservation Area in Amherstburg is temporarily closed to protect several turtle species at risk during nesting season. The approximately one-kilometre stretch of trail, located on the town's rural north end, is off-limits to visitors through June and July.
Trail Closure to Protect At-Risk Turtles
“Collavino Conservation Area has a high concentration of Species-at-Risk, including Blanding’s Turtles, Eastern Spiny Soft Turtles and Snapping Turtles,” said Kevin Money, director of conservation services at the Essex Region Conservation Authority (ERCA). “Because this section of mowed trail along the dyke is narrow, there tends to be a high concentration of turtle nests that are vulnerable to destruction or inadvertent disturbance from passive uses like walking your dog along the dyke. Temporarily closing this trail during the nesting period will increase the chances of survival.”
Turtle researchers will be in the area monitoring the nesting sites throughout the closure period.
Background on Collavino Conservation Area
The Collavino Conservation Area, a 150-acre wetland property near the mouth of the Canard River, was donated to ERCA in 2022 by the Loris Collavino family. The family purchased the property in 2004 as a farmland investment. In 2023, they contributed $100,000 to the Essex Region Conservation Foundation to help develop public amenities and support the site's transformation into a community destination for outdoor education, recreation and nature appreciation.
During a grand opening celebration, the family announced an additional donation of $50,000 to continue developing visitor amenities, including a 2.2-kilometre mowed walking trail, shade structures and interpretive signage.
Alternate Route Provided
“The trail has been re-routed during this short period to provide an approximate one-kilometre loop around the prime nesting area,” Money said. “We truly hope that people will respect this temporary trail closure to allow these at-risk species the best chances of survival.”
