Environmentally Significant Areas in the City of London

London’s ESAs

In the City of London, 21 natural areas are currently designated as “Environmentally Significant Areas” or ESAs. These areas exist within both agricultural and urban settings and include wetlands, forests, and meadows as well as river corridors and valleylands and significant wildlife habitat. The City funds a contract with the UTRCA to manage 12 of the ESAs.

Map showing location of London's 12 publicly accessible Environmentally Significant Areas

View Environmentally Significant Areas, City of London in Google Maps

Brochures and/or maps are available for the 12 ESAs (best printed on 8.5 x 14 paper):

The London Plan and Conservation Master Plans identify management objectives for these areas to protect the ESAs, improve public safety, encourage partnership and education, and promote and enforce proper use. The City is a leader among Ontario municipalities and other levels of government in demonstrating a proactive approach to the management and control of invasive species in ESAs.

UTRCA staff regularly visit the ESAs to carry out duties such as:

  • identifying and dealing with encroachment by property owners into the ESAs,
  • invasive species control, ecological restoration, tree planting and monitoring,
  • creating and maintaining trail systems, including repairing and replacing bridges, staircases and boardwalks, as well as hazard tree assessment and removal,
  • installing signs and trail markers and removing garbage,
  • restricting unofficial access points to protect sensitive vegetation, and
  • enforcing rules and municipal by-laws to protect vegetation, wildlife and people under the Provincial Offences Act.

Visiting an ESA? Please Remember these Rules

  • Please use the official access points indicated on the trail maps.
  • Stay on the managed trails (marked with yellow and/or white blazes).
  • Bicycles are only permitted only on multi-use pathways.
  • Access is allowed from 6 am to 10 pm.
  • Keep the ESAs litter free.
  • All pets must be on leash (2 m/6 ft max.).
  • Do not feed fish or wildlife.
  • Releasing or dumping fish or wildlife of any kind is prohibited.
  • Fishing is permitted with a provincial fishing licence. No hunting is permitted.

See additional rules on signs at ESA entrances.

Reporting Issues in an ESA

If you have questions or concerns about management of London’s Environmentally Significant Areas, please contact the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (phone: 519-451-2800).

You can also use this online tool to pinpoint the location of issues that may require the attention of the UTRCA’s ESA staff:

This tool can be used to report concerns such as:

  • missing or damaged signs,
  • damaged trail structures (boardwalks, bridges, stairs, etc.),
  • hazard trees down,
  • dead wildlife,
  • dumped garbage.

Printed ESA Brochures

Printed ESA brochures are also available free of charge from: