Do you fish the Detroit River? If so, fill out our fish consumption survey!
We're interested in knowing what fish people catch and eat from the Detroit River. Your input will provide valuable information to Detroit River Canadian Cleanup (DRCC) staff to help guide future research, education and outreach, monitoring and remediation efforts in the Detroit River and its watershed. 

Participants will receive a $5 Tim Horton's gift card (while supplies last) for their time. Take the survey now!
DRCC in the community
Open Streets - September 22, 10 am to 2 pm

The DRCC will be at Open Streets Windsor on September 22 to administer our fish consumption survey and inform the public about the Detroit River and DRCC. The purpose of Open Streets is to bring  neighbourhoods and people across the Windsor community together. Find us in the Healthy Communities cluster at Open Streets. Find more information about Open Streets here.


World Rivers Day - September 28 2019
World Rivers Day is a celebration of the world's waterways. It is a day of reflection to consider the value of the planet's rivers. Celebrating this day increases public awareness of the state of the rivers and advocates for improved stewardship of them. Rivers face many threats across the world, and by getting involved in their restoration and stewardship their health can be sustained for years to come. Read more about World Rivers Day here.  
 
We LOVE the Detroit River!  
 
Following nearly three decades of work on the Detroit River by many partners, the river has made a remarkable recovery!  
 
Due to intense urbanization and industrialization over the last century, the Detroit River's ecosystem was severely degraded. As a result, in 1987, the river was designated as one of the 43 Great Lakes Areas of Concern (AOC) under the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement. However, t hanks to significant commitments from all levels of government, the Canadian side of the Detroit River is on track to be removed from the list of AOCs soon! Take a look at our progress on our story map .
Restoring polluted waters leads to rebirth of Great Lakes communities
A new report highlights the cleanup progress and economic benefits of ten case studies that are in Areas of Concern in the Great Lakes Basin. The stories discuss how this work was done through dedicated stakeholders and illustrates the benefits of restoring these areas. One commonality amongst all case studies is that residents deeply value the Great Lakes.

The Detroit River was included as one of the case studies as it is regarded as one of the most remarkable ecological recovery stories in North America! Restoration work continues on both the Canadian and American side, and the return of Bald Eagles, Peregrine Falcons, Osprey, Lake Sturgeon and Lake Whitefish are testament to the ongoing collaboration in restoring the river.

To read the report, click here.
High water level session summary
DRCC attended the high water level information session in LaSalle that was put on by the Essex Region Conservation Authority. Lake St. Clair and Lake Erie are at record water levels and these water levels have the potential to increase over the coming months. In 1986, when water levels were last this high, the water levels did not peak until October. The session recommended making sure that your house and property are protected using methods such as sandbags or earthen works. 
Proposed new Canada-Ontario Agreement on Great Lakes Water Quality and Ecosystem Health
On Friday, July 5, a new draft Canada-Ontario Agreement (COA) was released for public comment on Ontario's Environmental Registry.

Since 1971, a series of Canada-Ontario Agreements on the Great Lakes (Canada-Ontario Agreement) have enabled both governments, together with local partners, to address the most significant challenges facing the Great Lakes. Although these efforts have led to dramatic improvements, pollution, climate change and loss of natural heritage continue to threaten the health of these waterways.

The current COA agreement expires in December 2019. Both Canada and Ontario have negotiated a draft agreement for 2020. The COA 2020 draft includes a Framework Agreement and 13 annexes which describe the purpose, principles and administration of the new COA.This agreement will advance action on key challenges facing the Great Lakes such as improving wastewater and stormwater management and reducing pollution, including a new focus on road salt and plastic pollution

Annex  5 specifically addresses priorities for Areas of Concern, including the Detroit River. Comments are being accepted until tomorrow, September 4, 2019. Have your say, today!

News release

Full document
Citizen Science Tree Survey
In celebration of National Forest Week, we are looking for individuals who are looking to gain some field experience collecting data from a sample of the Earth Day trees planted by DRCC in spring 2019 with the Essex Region Conservation Authority. Participants will learn how to assess the growth and health of trees and help collect important data to inform any future community plantings at the site. Register here.
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.  
Upcoming events  
Save the date for these great local events! Contact the organizer for more information. 
Friends of Cedar, Mill, Wigle Creeks Meeting 
September 5 2019, 7pm, Camp Cedarwin, Peach Lodge, 1495 County Rd 23, Kingsville, ON
Join the Friends of Cedar, Mill and Wigle Creeks at their monthly meeting to learn about the upcoming fall season schedule!  Karen Alexander from NCC will be presenting on upcoming projects in the area.
Marvels of Monarch Migration 
September 6 2019, 6pm, to 7:30pm, Point Pelee National Park, 1118 Point Pelee Dr, Leamington, ON
Delve into the mysterious life of the Monarch Butterfly at Point Pelee National Park. Join them for the presentation "Marvels of Monarch Migration" with a park interpreter at the visitor centre, then head to the Tip to spot and count monarchs as they rest before beginning their journey south over Lake Erie. Free with your admission to the park!  
ECFNC Member Meeting 
September 11 2019, 7:30pm, Ojibway Nature Centre, 5200 Matchette Road, Windsor, ON 
Claire Sanders from the Essex Region Conservation Authority (ERCA) will be presenting on climate change in the Essex region.  In response to severe flooding, significant shoreline erosion and infrastructure failure, new and renewed threats from invasive species, beach closures, and other issues, the Essex Region Conservation Authority (ERCA) recently initiated the creation of a regional climate change strategy with municipalities, agencies, and other partners. With a clear indication of current climate risks, the likelihood and frequency of extreme weather is expected to increase over the coming decades. This presentation will explore some of the implications for the Essex region and consider why these impacts are driving the need for strategic, long-term climate adaptation planning.  
Following the Flight of the Monarchs 
September 13 2019, 6pm, Point Pelee National Park, 1118 Point Pelee Dr, Leamington, ON
Join Dr. Rob Mackay as he presents "Following the Flight of the Monarchs", an interdisciplinary acoustic ecology project connecting ecosystems and communities along the migration routes of monarch butterflies as they travel 3,000 miles between Mexico and Canada each year. The project, led by Dr. Rob Mackay at the University of Hull, connects with the international BIOM project led by Leah Barclay at Griffith University and SoundCamp to map the changing soundscapes of UNESCO Biosphere Reserves through art, science, and technology.
 
Over the next year, Rob will be installing streamboxes in monarch butterfly reserves in Canada, the US, and Mexico to live stream the soundscapes of these ecosystems to share with ecologists throughout the world to monitor changes in biodiversity through sound. The project also aims to raise awareness of the issues monarchs face through art and citizen science projects.
Festival of Hawks 
September 14, 15, 21, 22, 2019, 9am to 3pm, Holiday Beach Conservation Area, 6952 County Road 50, Amherstburg, ON 
Join experts from the Holiday Beach Migration Observatory for this natural spectacle. Watch thousands of birds of prey flying overheard. Take in free programs hosted by local experts and see live hawks and owls up close. A great family event for experts and amateurs alike.
HBMO experts will be on-site conducting hawk banding and adoptions. Event goers will get up close and personal to a variety of raptors as experts measure, tag, and then release these birds back into the wild. Visitors will also be in awe at the live raptor display of Kingsport Environmental, a local organization that rescues and rehabilitates raptors and promotes falconry through education programs.
 
Free educational programs will complement the ongoing banding and live hawk display throughout both weekends. Local experts will be on-site to teach on a wide range of birding and nature-related topics. These programs and topics will be listed soon.

Programs are free with the festival admission fee of $15 per vehicle.
Flight of the Butterflies 
September 18 2019, 7:30pm, Point Pelee National Park, 1118 Point Pelee Dr, Leamington, ON
Join us for a screening of "Flight of the Butterflies", September 18, 2019 at 7:30 pm, in the Visitor Centre Theatre.  
 
Movie synopsis: The monarch butterfly is a true marvel of nature. Weighing less than a penny, it makes one of the longest migrations on Earth across a continent to a place it has never known. Follow the monarchs' perilous journey and join hundreds of millions of real butterflies in the remote mountain peaks of Mexico, with breathtaking cinematography. Be captivated by the true and compelling story of an intrepid scientist's 40-year search to find the monarchs' secret hideaway. Unravel the mysteries and experience the "Flight of the Butterflies." 
Fall Thrilling Thursdays 
Various dates and times, Ojibway Nature Centre, 5200 Matchette Road, Windsor, ON 
Ojibway Nature Centre will be open in the evening on the 3rd Thursday of each month. Below is the schedule of the special 'all-ages' programs offered. 
 
September 19 - Tree Id - 6:00-7:30pm - $7.5/adult, $6/child
October 17 - Creatures of the Night - 6:00-7:30pm - $7.5/adult, $6/child
November 21 - Wildlife in Winter - 6:00-7:30pm - $7.5/adult, $6/child 
An Evening about Monarchs with Anurag Agrawal 
September 20 2019, 6pm, Point Pelee National Park, 1118 Point Pelee Dr, Leamington, ON
Join Professor Anurag Agrawal for a public presentation about monarch butterfly ecology, including the relationship with milkweed, migration, history, and conservation.
After the presentation, head down to the Tip of Point Pelee and join in the park's evening monarch count.
 
Anurag Agrawal is an American professor of ecology, evolutionary biology, and entomology who has written over a 150 peer-reviewed articles. He is the author of a popular science book, "Monarchs and Milkweeds" from Princeton University Press, and is currently the James A. Perkins Professor of Environmental Studies at Cornell University.
Forest Interpretive Hike 
Thursday September 26 2019, 6pm to 7:30pm, Kopegaron Woods Conservation Area, Talbot Road, Leamington, ON 
In celebration of National Forest Week, join ERCA Outreach and Forestry staff at Kopegaron Woods Conservation Area on September 26 2019 at 6pm sharp for an interpretive hike until just after 7pm. This hike is for all ages, space is limited so please register in advance here.
Essex Region Conservation Bike Tour 
Saturday September 28 2019, Mettawas Park, Kingsville, ON 
The Essex Region Conservation Bike Tour incorporates all the last sights of summer. Whether you are touring through picturesque country roads and along historic County Road 50, or meandering the off-road nature ride on the Chrysler Canada and Cypher Systems Group Greenways, this event is not to be missed. Come out for a great ride and help raise funds for our local trail system. Back by popular demand, all routes will begin and end at Mettawas Park in Kingsville, and will feature a lakefront festival with local food and entertainment! For more information please click here.  
Let's Get Batty and Dark Sky Night 
September 28 2019, 7pm, Point Pelee National Park, 1118 Point Pelee Dr, Leamington, ON
Not only are birds and butterflies migrating in September, but it's also a prime time for bats. Join a park interpreter for a short theatre presentation about bats, before heading out on a hike. The interpreter will pull out a bat detector and you'll listen for the distinct clicking patterns that each different species makes.  
 
Stay after the hike and enjoy a late summer evening and starry night sky.
Prairie Day 
Sunday September 29 2019, 10am to 2pm, Ojibway Nature Centre, 5200 Matchette Road, Windsor, ON 
Join us for an exploration of the fall wonders found in our tallgrass prairie. Guided hikes, art activities, and unique photo opportunities are just some of the family-friendly activities in store!
Free Admission.  


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.