Leamington Monarch EcoTrail

Visit the Erie Coast EcoTrail in Carolinian Canada and Grow Wild in Leamington

Immerse Yourself in Butterfly Habitat

“It is the Municipality’s vision that this project will help restore and support the large number of monarch butterflies that migrate through the Leamington area and create a natural spectacle to be enjoyed by residents and visitors alike”

Peter Neufeld, Chief Administrative Officer, Municipality of Leamington

Welcome to Canada’s Deep South

Here on Canada’s south coast in Leamington, millions of Monarch butterflies prepare for their long journey to Mexico.

Standing on this trail, you are connected to a migration route across North America. The Monarchs use Point Pelee National Park as a launching point. They lay eggs here in Leamington, rest and refuel for their flight over Lake Erie.

But Monarch numbers are dwindling. Habitat loss is a major factor in their decline.

Luckily, Leamington cares.

Why are these gardens different?

The Municipality of Leamington is helping migrating Monarch butterflies by growing Canadian wildflowers. Local native plant species were carefully selected to match Leamington’s unique natural ecosystems.

The Leamington Monarch Trail gardens will provide food and habitat for migrating birds and butterflies, especially monarch butterflies, to refuel before continuing on their long journey.

The Monarch Trail opened in June 2015, launching a multi-phase collaboration between the Municipality and Parks Canada to grow healthy habitats for migrating birds and butterflies.

Sustaining Leamington's Unique Heritage

This EcoTrail habitat supports more than Monarchs. It supports unique local heritage.

Essex is a biodiversity hotspot for Canada meaning it is home to more wild and rare plants and animals than most other places in the country. So adding local wildflowers, shrubs and trees to the landscape supports a rich diversity of wildlife.

As you explore the EcoTrail, you are getting a glimpse into how a caring community works together to help save the fascinating biodiversity of the Lake Erie coast. Point Pelee National Park protects some of this habitat but cannot do it alone.

A network of supporting habitat is crucial to sustain butterflies, birds and other wildlife as they move through the landscape. From backyards and back fields, to EcoTrails and parks, every little bit helps.

Local volunteers plant native grasses and wildflowers to support butterflies. Photo: Parks Canada

Saving the Lake Erie Sandspit Savannah Ecosystem

This EcoTrail also supports unique habitats like the Lake Erie Sandspit Savannah Ecosystem that is home to many rare species.

Located 50 km south-east of Windsor, Ontario, Point Pelee National Park is one of the smallest national parks. Interwoven throughout the Park's 20-square-kilometre landscape is a patchwork of marsh, forest, fields, and beaches, home to a rich diversity of plant and animal life – where important conservation work takes place on a daily basis.

Supported by the National Conservation Plan, the Parks Canada team of conservation experts at Point Pelee National Park are hard at work restoring the Lake Erie Sandspit Savannah ecosystem which includes restoring several species at risk trees and improving habitat for birds, plants and insects.

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Explore the Erie Coast EcoTrail

Explore Point Pelee National Park

Explore Big Picture conservation targets for Essex