Message from the RAP Assistant 

October was a busy and productive month for the DRCC with many events, celebrations and planning what comes next for us! We're pleased to share our stories in this month's newsletter with you. As always, we love to hear from you. If you have any upcoming events, questions, or feedback, please email postmaster@detroitriver.ca.   
 
Thank you,
Gina Pannunzio,
Remedial Action Plan Assistant
Detroit River Canadian Cleanup
6th Annual Detroit River Evening
The Detroit River Canadian Cleanup (DRCC) hosted their 6th Annual Detroit River Evening on Wednesday, October 26, 2016 at the Great Lakes Institute for Environmental Research (GLIER). The Detroit River Evening is a free, public event to highlight the coordinated efforts to improve the Detroit River and remove it from the list of Great Lakes' Areas of Concern. Guests learned about some of the current research projects aimed at protecting, restoring and enhancing the Detroit River ecosystem!

The DRCC welcomed Peter Berry, Harbour Master of the Windsor Port Authority who gave a presentation on how industry can work in partnership with the environmental community on green projects both on the shore line and in the river. Peter has been a member of the Detroit River Canadian Clean Up for the past seven years during his term as Harbour Master. He has been active in the partnering of fish habitat and shore line restoration projects with commercial operations in addition to leading numerous shoreline and community clean ups.

Project highlights also included presentations on the Creel Survey from Richard Drouin, Lead Management Biologist, Lake Erie Management Unit, Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry. Also Jon Gee, Manager, Great Lakes Areas of Concern, Environment and Climate Change Canada presented information about the Great Lakes Areas of Concern. Last, Tom Henderson, Chair of the Detroit River Public Advisory Council provided an update on work that is being done by the PAC.

The DRCC would like to thank all of the attendees for coming out to celebrate the Detroit River Evening, the Great Lakes Institute for Environmental Research for providing the venue and all of the folks who volunteered their time to help with registration, setup and cleanup!

See more photos here.
Annual Review: 2015-2016

The DRCC has released the 2015/2016 Annual Review! Download your copy here.
ECO Commissioner Visit to Windsor
Dr. Dianne Saxe, ECO Commissioner of Ontario came to Windsor Oct. 13 th and 14 th and lead a public workshop on the Environmental Bill of Rights. She also hosted a round table discussion with several environmental organizations in Windsor-Essex County. This was a great opportunity for the DRCC to participate in. There are a few items for the public to provide comments on the Environmental Bill of Rights at the moment regarding Ontario specific situations. Please see the list and hyperlinks below for more details.

A regulation establishing a moratorium on the issuance of new or increasing permits to take water for water bottling: comment by December 1st 2016. (Registry #012-8783)

Reducing Phosphorus to Minimize Algal Blooms in Lake Erie
: comment by November 20th 2016 (Registry #012-8760)
 
Consultation on role of Ontario Municipal Board in Ontario's land use planning system: comment by December 19th 2016 (Registry # 012-7196)

Review of Environmental Bill of Rights - A Provincial Dialogue: comment until November 8th 2016 (Registry #012-8002)
 
DRCC Photo Contest Winners
The DRCC hosted a photo contest to encourage people to get out and explore the Detroit River. We are pleased to announce the following four winners below!
Christopher Waters (Dean and Professor, Faculty of Law, University of Windsor:
"I have lived in Windsor for 10 years and commute daily by bike along the Detroit River.Only in the last couple of years I have spotted a Blue Heron with some regularity along the river, usually fishing just west of Hiram Walker.This bird has been a welcome sight and always poses most obligingly in front of the Detroit skyline."
Luke Grewe: " After helping my son deliver papers at 5am, I was looking at the moon and clear skies. I thought, this is a great idea for a photo op. I decided to take my camera down to the Bert Weeks Memorial Garden and capture some early morning shots of the Detroit skyline with the full moon setting over the city."
Jim Kemp: "I have been paddling and sailing out there for 60 years, and one of the best things about it is the ability to meet Canadian and American paddlers right in the middle to share the beautiful experience. I doubt there is a more friendly boarder any where in the world. The chance to see vessels from distant waters adds even more to the experience. The river itself because of the current and wind influence is different every time you enter. It is always the same river, but with a different personality and players."
LeHoux Family: "This is a photo taken during a sunrise paddle to Peche Island. Rolf made the 19 foot long cedar strip kayak. During the week the trip is something to look forward to, while the trip itself provides stress relief...
   
We leave Kayak Cove in the dark, make our way toward the pavilion on the island and paddle through the canal toward the Hiram Walker ruins, pass under the cement bridge and on to Lake St Clair.

In the canals we pause to greet ducks, geese and swans and listen to the cricket symphony. Songbirds join in. As usual, the herons startle us as they take flight, just as they do on every time we pass by the tree they spent the night in.
   
Our paddles quietly slip into the water and take us to our destination. By now there is some colour in the sky...the show is about to start whether or not we're ready. We pour a cup of coffee from our Thermos, get our cameras within reach, and enjoy the day that is about to begin!
   
 Rolf grew up on Little River which empties into the Detroit River, across from Peche Island. He keeps busy, doing canoe trips with his 2 boys, and building cedar stripped kayaks. Many of my favourite family photos were taken by the Detroit River, some of them are of my parents, long before I was born....and now  the tradition continues, with my grandson. The water continues to flow, our connection to it remains."
Great Lakes Public Forum
The Great Lakes Public Forum provides an opportunity for the United States and Canada to discuss and receive public comments on the state of the Lakes and binational priorities for science and action. Environment Canada and Climate Change and the Environmental Protection Agency provided a presentation on all AOCs within the Great Lake, and featured the Detroit River's cleanup progress. There was extensive coverage on different issues, and you can access the links in our news section for short documentaries that were aired on The Agenda with Steve Paikin below.
Apply for a grant to protect the Great Lakes by December 1st, 2016
A Message from Glen Murray, the Minister of the Environment and Climate Change
The Great Lakes Guardian Community Fund provides up to $25,000 per project to restore and protect the Great Lakes and the rivers and streams that flow into them. You too can become a Great Lakes Guardian by applying for a grant! Help to restore, protect, and conserve our Great Lakes. This year's fund will award $1.5 million in total for eligible projects. The deadline to apply 
is December 1, 2016.
    
How to apply
Learn more
Thank You Caroline Biribauer!   
The Detroit River Canadian Cleanup appreciates all of your effort and focus on the Detroit River Watershed over the years! We are so grateful for all of your projects that have improved the Detroit River watershed. We'll miss you!  
To give you an idea of the work Caroline has been a part of in the Detroit River watershed...she has help plant 27,979 trees/shrubs/wildflowers/grasses with 12,776 volunteers! She has hosted 23 cleanups and removed 79 tonnes of debris. Some of her specific projects include many  Little River cleanups, Black Oak Heritage Park cleanups, starting the Native Plant Demonstration Garden near Turkey Creek, hosting the underwater & shoreline cleanup at Crystal Bay CA, the Brock Street Dock cleanup, initiating the GLIER Native Plant Garden, participating in many Earth Days, helping with the Airport community planting, project sign installations and many more community and school plantings! 
Extra! Extra! Read all about it!   
The Detroit River in the news. Here are some links to articles that may pique your interest. Click the link  to read on.  
Upcoming Events  
Save the date for these great local events! Contact the organizer for more information. 
Essex County Nature Annual Dinner
Saturday November 5 2016, 5:30pm to 12am
Please join Essex County Nature for this Annual event. The speaker is Brock Fenton on "Exploring the Lives of Bats". There will be auctions, door prizes, cash bar and a great meal. They will try to accommodate individuals with dietary restrictions, but tickets must be paid for by Oct. 24th so that there is time to arrange the dinners. Along with your dietary restrictions, please be sure to include your telephone number on your ticket, so that JoAnn Grondin can contact you regarding the accommodation. If you have any items to donate to the silent auction or door prizes, please contact JoAnn Grondin (519-734-0056). Your contributions are appreciated. More details here.
Harvest Moon
Saturday November 5 2016, 5:30pm to 7pm, John R. Park Homestead 
An unforgettable autumn evening family program. Get hands-on in the harvest as you make your own traditional craft, help to press the fresh apple cider and listen to a scary story by candlelight in the 1842 farm house. Also, stargazing tips to help you spot shooting stars! Pre-registration required. $15/person. Register online here. Please contact jrph@erca.org for more information.
Science Saturday
November 12, Belle Isle Aquarium, 12pm to 3pm, Detroit, MI   
Allow guest speakers to lead you on an interesting science journey at Science Saturday! Lectures will be twenty minutes in length each and are held at 12pm, 1pm and 2pm. Come and learn something new! For more information please e-mail info@belleisleconservancy.rg or visit their website here for past presentations.
Belle Isle Park Advisory Committee Meeting
Thursday November 17, Flynn Pavilion, 9am to 11am, Detroit, MI   
Please see website for past agendas, meeting minutes and additional information here.
Super Santa Run
November 19, General Amherst High School, 4:00pm to 6:00pm, Amherstburg, ON 
Come out and walk or run 5km dressed as Santa! Limited early bird rates at $35/adult and $25/child. Get a free Santa suit! Stay for the Amherstburg Santa Riverlights Festival. Proceeds benefit the Essex Region Conservation Foundation.More info at  ourgreenlegacy.org/santa or register online here.
Stewardship Saturday
November 19, Belle Isle Park, 9am to 12pm, Detroit, MI   
Join the DRN and Belle Isle Conservancy for Stewardship Saturdays. For questions or more information please e-mail Laurel Malvitz-Draper, DNR Resource Steward for the Stewardship Unit at malvitz@michigan.gov.
Deck the Holidays Workshop
November 26, 2pm to 4pm, John R. Park Homestead   
Ring in the holiday season with a hands-on wreath making workshop using natural materials from the forest and farm. Registration fee includes all materials and expert instruction, a tasty mug of warm cider or cocoa, and a holiday snack from the Homestead's hearth. Please bring work clothes, gloves and hand pruners. Register online at www.erca.org/jrph or go here .
Job Postings
These postings are for jobs at various locations with varying deadlines. Please click on the job title to view job details. Contact the listed agency in the job ad for more information. 


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The DRCC initiative is a partnership between government, industry, academics, as well as environmental and community organizations that work together to improve the Detroit River ecosystem through a Remedial Action Plan. Our main goal is to remove the River from the list of Great Lakes Areas of Concern.