Medway Valley Heritage Forest ESA: Conservation Master Plan
The City of London is undertaking work to complete the Medway Valley CMP as it aligns with the specific direction in Council's Strategic Plan– A Strong and Healthy Environment. Phase 1 of the project was initiated in 2013 and is now complete. Phase 2 was referred back to staff by Council for further work in 2018.
Where the project is at now
The Eastern Boundary access was presented publicly at a Community Information Meeting held on April 8, 2021. At a future date, the entire Medway Valley Heritage Forest Conservation Master Plan will be presented to the Planning and Environment Committee.
We are seeking your feedback on both the Eastern Boundary access and the entire Conservation Master Plan!
Please visit the bottom of this page to provide your input.
This figure shows the Eastern Boundary Access discussed during the Public Meeting. Note the red line which outlines the existing Eastern ESA boundary and the yellow line which outlines the route proposed to help divert users away from sensitive species, hazard lands and erosion concerns, while still providing a north/south connection.
Master Plan Background
Environmentally Significant Areas, referred to as “ESAs”, are considered the largest, highest quality areas within the City of London's Natural Heritage System.
To help protect and enhance environmentally significant areas, conservation master plans (CMPs) are prepared. CMPS provide direction for the management of these high quality natural areas.
Phase one (I) of the Medway Valley Heritage Forest Conservation Master Plan provided a life science inventory and evaluation along with:
- boundary delineation/refinement,
- application of management zones,
- review of existing trails, and
- identification of management issues.
Phase two (II) of the CMP determined the goals, objectives, and recommendations for the future management of the ESA. This was done by:
- identifying opportunities for ecological protection, enhancement and restoration in the ESA, and
- providing an overview of trail planning and design in response to consultation and according to the Sustainable Trail Management Guidelines.
In 2018, Staff completed Phase II of the Conservation Master Plan for the Ecologically Significant Areas lands located south of Fanshawe Park Road West. City Council referred the report back to Staff with the direction provided in the April 25, 2018 Council Resolution.
As per Council's direction, Staff have been reviewing and revising the 2018 Conservation Master Plan with input from the Environmental Ecological Planning Advisory Committee (EEPAC), the Accessibility Advisory Committee (ACCAC), the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) and local First Nations Communities.
The Draft Sustainable Trail Plan was presented at the Environmental and Ecological Planning Advisory Committee (EEPAC) on March 18th and the Accessibility Advisory Committee (ACCAC) on March 25th. Both committees have indicated their support of the revised plan.
