May 2025

Stewardship Crew

Interested in helping staff biologists with habitat and invasive species management on the refuge? Stewardship Crew meets Wednesdays and Thursdays from 9am - 12pm.

Contact our volunteer coordinator at: driwr_volunteer@fws.gov and let them know you are interested!

Canvasback Corner Nature Store

Did you know that every purchase you make at the store helps to support programming at the Refuge? Stop in to see us. We have a wide variety of gifts for nature lovers of all ages.

The Visitor Center will be closed

Thursday, June 19

Visitor Center will be closed in observance of the federal holiday. Trails, grounds, and fishing pier will remain open during daylight hours. We will reopen Friday, June 20 at 10am.

Have you stopped in to see us yet?

The grounds are open every day during daylight hours

The Visitor Center is open

Thursday - Sunday 10am - 4pm

Closed on Federal Holidays

Upcoming Programs and Events

Vernal Pools 101 - Thursday, May 29: 5:30pm-6:30pm

Join us and the Michigan Vernal Pools Partnership for a FREE, interactive talk all about the magical habitats and life within vernal pools.

This event is FREE and open to all. No registration required.

First Thursday Hike - Thursday, June 5: 2pm-3pm

Let's go outside and hike! The first Thursday of every month we will be offering a guided hike in Humbug Marsh! Come join the ranger from 2pm-3pm and enjoy some seasonal learning throughout the year.

Fishing Fun Day - Saturday, June 7: 9am-1pm

Join us for a fun day of FREE interactive activities, giveaways, kayaking and fishing off the pier. See info above.

Story Time with a Park Ranger - Friday, June 13: 11am-11:30am

Listen to a park ranger read aloud a picture book and sing a few nursery rhymes. Intended for young children, but all are welcome!

Science Saturday: Marvelous Monarchs! - Saturday, June 14: 10:30am-1:30pm

Our Science Saturdays are back! Monarch butterflies are migrating north, from Mexico back to the Midwest. Let's welcome them back with a Science Saturday all about them.

We will have fun butterfly crafts and activities in the visitor center for all ages to enjoy as well as a guided hike!

No registration required, and everything is free!

Plein Air Painting on the Patio - Saturday, June 21: 11am-3pm

Stop by the Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge's John D. Dingell Jr. Visitor Center any time between 11 AM - 3 PM to participate! This is a drop-in style program.

Join the Detroit Institute of Arts Studio for an outdoor watercolor painting workshop at the Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center—no pressure, just fresh air, the joy of watercolor, and the surrounding nature to inspire you. This open-ended watercolor session is the perfect way to unwind and get creative outdoors. We will be set up on the patio, all materials provided. Some techniques will be taught by hands-on teaching artists. All skill levels welcome!

Monarch Butterfly Life Cycle - Thursday, June 26: 6pm-7pm

at Trenton Veterans Memorial Library

Join a park ranger for a story and a craft about monarch butterflies. Intended for all ages. Register by calling 734 676-9777 or visit www.trenton.lib.mi.us

Interested in Helping?

The Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge relies upon volunteers to perform many important jobs. If you are looking to get involved to help the community and further conservation initiatives, email our volunteer coordinator at driwr_volunteer@fws.gov.

Volunteer Foundations training is held monthly at the Refuge.

For more information and to see specific opportunities, you can find a description here on the Refuge Website.

A Huge Thank You to our Sponsor

So much of what we do is possible thanks to generous donations of people like you and our corporate sponsors.

For more information about sponsorship opportunities, contact us at iwr_alliance@yahoo.com

Donate

Donations to IWRA help support a variety of programs and projects at the DRIWR, including field trip transportation, habitat management, Detroit River Hawk Watch, and more! IWRA is an independent 501(c)3 nonprofit organization and your donations are tax deductible.

Legacy Giving

Ensuring conservation efforts and education continue on the Refuge is as easy as adding the International Wildlife Refuge Alliance as a beneficiary in an IRA or listing IWRA in your will. Contact your financial planner for more information.

The mission of the International Wildlife Refuge Alliance is to support Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge: the first international wildlife refuge in North America. We work with partnerships to protect, conserve, and manage the Refuge’s wildlife and habitats; to create exceptional conservation, recreational, and educational experiences; and to develop the next generation of conservation stewards.

International Wildlife Refuge Alliance| (734) 362-3735 |iwr_alliance@yahoo.com| iwralliance.org

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International Wildlife Refuge Alliance

Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge