Little River Cleanup Results | |
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On April 13, 2024, the Detroit River Canadian Cleanup (DRCC), in conjunction with ERCA and the City of Windsor, removed accumulated debris and litter along a portion of the Little River corridor and Ganatchio Trail.
The total litter removed from the Little River was 425 lb or about 0.19 metric tonnes. A huge thank you to our incredible partners and volunteers who committed their Saturday morning to help make a difference locally!
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Earth Day Community Tree Planting 2024
Essex Region Conservation is inviting everyone on Sunday, April 28, 2024 between 10am and 12pm to help plant 2,000 native trees in the City of Windsor. The trees are generously supported by Enwin Ltd. and Green Sun Rising. The event happens at the green space south of Wyandotte Street east between Florence & Martinique in Windsor. Event will take place rain or shine, and will be delayed because of severe weather only. Parking is available at the following parking lots, use the Ganatchio Trail system to arrive at the Earth Day site: Riverside Kiwanis Park/Pump Track parking lot, McHugh Park parking lot and various public parking lots along Riverside Drive east. Find more information about the event and register here.
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Earth Day at Malden Park
Monday, April 22, 2024, marks the 54th anniversary of Earth Day. The DRCC will be at Malden Park for their annual Earth Day event. This year, the City of Windsor's local event will be on Sunday, April 21, 2024, between 10 am and 3 pm at Malden Park. There will be games, prizes, and free entertainment! Bring your reusable water bottle. Learn more.
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Update to monarch butterfly conservation status | |
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On December 8, 2023, the Government of Canada revised the monarch’s conservation status. The monarch is now classified “endangered” under the Species at Risk. Its previous status was of "special concern". This decision marks a crucial turning point in the protection of this iconic species. This change in status is due to increased threats monarchs are facing.
A new status means new responsibilities and restrictions: actions such as capturing, hunting or altering the monarch butterfly’s habitat are now prohibited on Crown lands. What’s more, the government has committed to developing recovery strategies to ensure its survival.
One simple way you can help the monarch? Create an oasis for them in your garden!
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Results of the 2023 Christmas Bird Count | |
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The Holiday Beach Christmas Bird Count (CBC) took place on Wednesday, December 27th. The Christmas Bird Count is a census of birds conducted annually by volunteer bird watchers. The Count includes Holiday Beach Conservation Area, Big Creek, the Lower Detroit River north to LaSalle, Boblo Island and surrounding areas. 25 volunteers clocked in 65 party hours during the Count, which included about 30km of total walking and about 250km by car. Volunteers racked up a record-breaking 89 species for the count and 54,933 individual birds! Trumpeter Swan and American Coot were added during Count Week. Participants were excited to break the species count record for the CBC this year.
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World Migratory Bird Day (May 14)
World Migratory Bird Day is a time to discover the wondrous birds that join us every spring, and celebrate the impressive journey they’ve endured after many months beyond our borders! The second Saturday of May each year is the peak of spring migration in southern Canada, marking a celebration as Canadians re-discover their feathered friends in their communities. At this time, nature organizations across the country launch educational and interactive events to help kids and adults alike experience and celebrate their diverse journeys to raise awareness and impact change to save bird lives.
This year's conservation theme focuses on the importance of insect conservation, and pesticide/insecticide use. It encourages everyone to learn more about how migratory birds make use of insects along their amazing global migration journeys each year. Both bird and bug conservation struggles are linked.
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Save the date for these great local events! Contact the organizers for more information. | |
Wings Wildlife Rehab: Introduction to Wildlife Rehab
April 18, 2024, 7:30 pm, Ojibway Nature Centre, 5200 Matchett Road, Windsor, ON, N9C 4E8
Join Alexander Campbell and Jennifer Dalley from Wings Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre for a hands-on learning experience and presentation about wildlife rehabilitation and how the public can become more active in the protection of Essex County’s injured, orphaned and displaced wildlife. Wings Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre will be taking volunteer applications for the 2024 Spring and Summer season.
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Earth Day Community Tree Planting
April 28, 2024, 10:00 am - 12:00 pm, south of Wyandotte Street E between Florence and Martinique, Windsor, ON.
Essex Region Conservation is inviting everyone to join them on Sunday, April 28, 2024 between 10am and 12pm to help plant more than 2,000 native trees in the City of Windsor (and Detroit River watershed). You can expect to plant two to three trees per individual at this year’s celebration. Event happens at the green space south of Wyandotte Street east between Florence & Martinique in Windsor. Event will take place rain or shine, and will be delayed because of severe weather only. Registration and more information can be found here.
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Dark Sky Nights at Point Pelee National Park
May 4, 2024, Point Pelee National Park Visitor Centre, 1118 Point Pelee Dr, Leamington, ON
Explore the park after dark and get a chance to view stars in a way you haven't seen before. The park will be open until midnight for you to get a chance to view the skies at Windsor-Essex's only dark sky preserve. Visitors can pick up a seasonal star chart upon arrival. For more information please contact Point Pelee National Park at pelee.info@pc.gc.ca or check out the event website here.
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Bird Names in Anishinaabemowin with Joseph Pitawanakwat
May 5, 2024, 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m., Hillman Marsh Conservation Area , 1826 Mersea Rd 2, Leamington, ON N8H 3V7
Joe Pitawanakwat is on a rescue mission: to catalog the names of birds in Anishinaabemowin, the Ojibwe language, before knowledge of these names – and what they mean in English – disappears forever. Join Joe in the Nature Centre at Hillman Marsh for an engaging and informative discussion & optional hike. The event is free, but registration is required. More information.
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Shorebird Hike with Jean Iron
May 8 & 11 2024, 3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m., Hillman Marsh Conservation Area , 1826 Mersea Rd 2, Leamington, ON N8H 3V7
Join Shorebird Expert Jean Iron for a bird identification hike around the Hillman Marsh Shorebird Habitat. Bring your scope/binoculars for this incredible experience! Jean is well known to Ontario birders; she was president of the Ontario Field Ornithologists (OFO) from 1995 - 2004 and edited OFO News for 14 years. Her special interests are shorebirds, grassland birds, gulls and bird identification. Event is free but registration is required. More information.
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Malden Park Community Tree Planting
May 11, 2024, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m., Malden Park, 4200 Malden Rd, Windsor, ON
ERCA is hosting another tree planting event in West Windsor! Funding for this initiative has been provided by the Gordie Howe International Bridge Community Benefits Plan. Registration and event details found here.
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If you have an upcoming local event that you want The Current readers to know about please send us an email at postmaster@detroitriver.ca | |
Extra! Extra! Read all about it! | The Detroit River and Great Lakes in the news. Here are some links to articles that may pique your interest. Click the link to read on. | | |
The Detroit River Canadian Cleanup 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 goal is to remove the Detroit River from the list of Great Lakes Areas of Concern. |
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