Planning Restoration: City of London's Westminster Natural Heritage Study

As the City of London continues to grow upward and outward, new or expanded infrastructure is needed to meet this demand. City of London policy states that where new infrastructure projects result in a loss of natural heritage features or their functions, the City must compensate for this loss on a 1:1 land-based offset to replace the lost feature(s). In 2023 the City’s Ecology team led a land availability and land acquisition mapping exercise to demonstrate the need for the City to purchase lands specifically for offsetting compensation commitments for infrastructure projects over the long term. The purchase of the property at 1462 Westminster Drive was a result of this process. This property was chosen due to its proximity to existing significant natural heritage features as well as the ‘blank canvas’ to restore the agricultural areas to functioning ecosystems. It is intended that the areas of the land that are currently farmed will continue to be farmed until the land base is needed for a compensation project. In 2026, approximately 5 hectares have been removed from farming to initiate site setup for the property to receive the first compensation projects in 2027. Of the five hectares; 3 will occupy wetland features, with 2 ha being utilized for an access road and wind break along the west property line. Join us to discuss the components of pre-planning for this site as the City of London works toward implementing ecological restoration on site.

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Host or Publisher Society For Ecological Restoration Ontario