Do you have a passion for bringing partners together toward progress on the ecological restoration of the Detroit River? We are currently seeking a Detroit River Remedial Action Plan Coordinator!

For more information and details on how to apply, please review the job posting here.
Successful screenings of CLEAR WATER: DETROIT'S RIVER REVIVAL
In partnership with Friends of River Canard, Essex Region Conservation, Windsor Essex Catholic District School Board and St. Thomas of Villanova High School the DRCC hosted two free screenings of Clear Water: Detroit's River Revival in March!

Based on John Hartig's book, Burning Rivers, Clear Water: Detroit's River Revival is a documentary film that tells an inspirational story of environmental recovery.  In one of the most remarkable ecological comebacks ever, Detroit's river is once again home to species that have been missing for decades and has even received the American (and Canadian!) Heritage designation.  From an environmental tragedy to an international refuge, the Detroit River's story is one of determination, resurgence, and most of all, hope.

Over 170 people attended the public screening and over 400 students joined us for the school screening! Many thanks to our panelists, Bob Brown, the film producer, Dr. John Hartig, Andy Paling and Gina Pannunzio for sharing your own inspirational stories about the river.
Great Lakes Lakewide Action and Management Plans 2018 Annual Reports Available Online
The 2018 Lakewide Action and Management Plan (LAMP) Annual Reports for lakes Erie, Huron,  Michigan, Ontario and Superior are now available .
 
LAMPs are binational ecosystem-based management strategies for protecting and restoring the water quality of the Great Lakes, and are produced on a 5-year rotational basis for each of the Great Lakes.
 
These 2018 LAMP Annual Reports highlight accomplishments and progress during the past year for each Great Lake, including outreach, monitoring, and protection and restoration actions. LAMPs are developed and implemented by Lake Partnerships, which are led by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Environment and Climate Change Canada, and consist of representatives from Federal agencies, State and Provincial Governments, Tribal Governments, First Nations, Métis, Municipal Governments, and watershed management agencies. These Partnerships facilitate information sharing, setting priorities, and assist in coordinating binational environmental protection and restoration activities as described in the 2012 Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement .
 
For more information, visit Binational.net .
Join the DRCC in Celebrating Earth Day 2019!
Earth Day Tree Planting

Grab your shovels and join the DRCC and Essex Region Conservation on Sunday April 28th to celebrate Earth Day and help plant more than 2,000 native trees and shrubs in the Little River Watershed in the City of Windsor! While there are some shovels to share, you may consider bringing your own to this free event. More info, click here.
Earth Day Windsor-Essex

Come out for a visit during the Earth Day Windsor-Essex event on Sunday, April 28, 2019 from 10am until 3pm at Malden Park (4200 Malden Road).
This event is free for the public and includes various environmental exhibits, wildflower planting, arts and crafts, a nature scavenger hunt, and many more environmental activities! 

For general information, call 311. For detailed inquiries, please contact the Environment & Sustainability Coordinator at [email protected] or 519-253-7111 ext. 3290.
Earth Day Contest
Essex Region Conservation is seeking entries to the 2019 Earth Day Contest until April 19 2019. They are asking students to share how they would educate their peers about conservation and the prevention of species loss.

Students can submit illustrations, essays, poems or photos digitally to [email protected] or via mail to Essex Region Conservation, RE: Earth Day Contest Entries, 360 Fairview Avenue w. Suite 311, Essex, ON. N8M 1Y6.

For questions about the contest please  contact Peter Baldwin at [email protected] or by phone at 519-776-5209 ext. 367. For more information and contest details click here.
Walking in her Footsteps Ganatchio Trail Cleanup - April 13, 10am-1pm
In preparation for the Earth Day tree planting, W.E. put the WIN in Windsor-Essex ~ YQG Synergy, in partnership with Eyes On Windsor, will once again be taking part in the City of Windsor's "Clean Sweep Initiative." We will be holding our second annual Walking in Her Footsteps Ganatchio Trail Cleanup, in honour and in memory of Anne Widholm at Riverside Kiwanis Park at the end of Little River Road, East Windsor.
 
Widholm, 76- years old at the time was a Windsor resident who could be seen daily enjoying the trails and picking up litter as she walked. She was the victim of unprovoked attacks in Oct., 2017, that left her unconscious in hospital until she passed away this past Dec. Please come out and honour her by continuing to take the little steps Mrs. Widholm had in keeping our trail clean and healthy. Walk in her footsteps with us as a community to give our trail a good spring cleaning during Volunteer Week, in preparation for the annual Earth Day tree planting.
 
Please note that in an attempt to maximize the impact this event has on our community and environment, we will also be collecting canned food donations from anyone who would like to donate to the local food banks.
 
If your company, organization or group would like to register as a group, please email [email protected] to ensure enough supplies for your group. Wearing team/company shirts is encouraged. Participants will meet at the Ganatchio Trail Little River Road parking lot near "suicide hill" just before 9am. 
DRCC Little River Cleanup
In partnership with Caesar's Windsor CodeGreen, Essex Region Conservation and the City of Windsor, the DRCC is undertaking a garbage cleanup this spring along a section of the Little River. Are you interested in joining a cleanup or scheduling your own? We can help you by directing you to a planned cleanup or providing supplies! Contact Gina at [email protected].
The New Wave: Radio and Digital Series about Ontario Water
The New Wave is a week-long radio and digital series put on by local CBC stations around Ontario. The project will take a deep dive into the province's water woes and highlight how people are tackling it with innovative solutions  

For more information click here.
Documentary showcases revival of Michigan's River Raisin
Check out the great work happening at the RIVER RAISIN Area of Concern!
Discussion paper on reducing litter and waste in our communities 
The Government of Ontario is seeking on the Reducing Litter and Waste in Our Communities: Discussion Paper, which expands upon commitments in Preserving and Protecting our Environment for Future Generations: A Made-in-Ontario Environment Plan. The paper poses questions that will help guide future decision-making to divert more waste from landfill. For more information, to download the discussion paper and submit a comment, click here. Comments are welcomed until 11:59pm on April 20 2019.
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. 
Sydenham Field Naturalists Annual Spring Banquet 
Wednesday April 3 2019, Country View Golf Course, 25393 St. Clair Road, Dover Centre, ON
Come on out to hear Kathy Johnson discuss Sturgeon of the Great Lakes! Tickets are $30 a person. For tickets contact Larry Cornelis (519-330-8981) or Tom Chatterton (519-627-2986).
Science on Tap - From Field to Faucet 
Thursday April 4 2019, Walkerville Brewery, 525 Argyle Road, Windsor, ON, 7pm to 10pm 
Join other stakeholders and community organizations to learn about University of Windsor research on water quality issues affecting southwestern Ontario through: Mini-talks, Student research posters, Water Bar, Trivia.

Tickets: $10 (includes a beverage). Purchase online through snapd:
Confirmed speakers
  • Blake Vince: 5th-generation farmer, no-till pioneer
  • Catherine Febria: GLIER, leading Healthy Headwaters program
  • Mike McKay: GLIER, harmful algal blooms
  • Kevin Jakubec: Water Wells First, ground water protection
  • Joel Gagnon: EES, ground water
Go Wild Grow Wild Green Expo   
Saturday April 6 2019, Metroland Media Agriplex, Western Fair District, London, ON 
Calling All Wild Ones! Join the largest wildest, greenest, most adventurous event series in Ontario's far South as we collectively step forward to green our future! Together with thousands of adventurers, gardeners, nature enthusiasts, families and green people, Go Wild Grow Wild is growing a green future. This collaborative movement serves as a catalyst to celebrate, inspire and spark action to protect our wildlife and create a healthy habitat. For more information: https://caroliniancanada.ca/expo.  
Dark Sky Nights with the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada 
Saturday April 6 2019, 7:30pm, Point Pelee National Park, Leamington, ON, Visitor Centre Parking Lot 
Join members of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada - Windsor Centre for an evening of stargazing. Bring your own binoculars or look through one of the special telescopes on site for the evening. The park is open until midnight, unless otherwise stated. Visitor Centre Parking Lot. Cost is included in admission fee. For more information, please contact us at [email protected].
National Wildlife Week Festival at Jack Miner's Bird Sanctuary
Various dates, Jack Miner Bird Sanctuary, 332 Road 3 W, Kingsville, ON 
In 1947, The Canadian Government declared the week of Jack Miner's birth, April 10th, 1865 to be National Wildlife Week. Seventy two years later, the Jack Miner Migratory Bird Sanctuary will be celebrating National Wildlife Week and Jack Miner's 154th birthday with activities for all ages.
 
Sunday April 7th - Wild Goose Chase 5km FUN Trail Run/Walk
7:30AM registration, 9:00AM race start at Kennedy Woods at The Jack Miner Sanctuary $20.00 early goose registration, $25.00 day of the race, $50.00 family rate.  
 
7:30AM-12:00PM Dress Down Sunday Pancake Breakfast in the Jack Miner Centre
11:00AM - 3:00PM Live Raptor display by Kingsport Environmental Falconry Services
1:00-3:00PM Kids Crafts & Story time in the Clubhouse and Museum.  
 
Tuesday April 9th - Owl Prowl with Xander Campbell and Jeremy Hatt 
Meet at the historic house, 6:30pm to 8:30pm. Please re-register.
 
Wednesday April 10th Jack Miner's 154th Birthday!
12:00-3:00PM Enjoy free cupcakes and refreshments in the historic house!  
 
Thursday April 11th - Mouth Piece Story Competition  
Hosted by author Vanessa Shields, brings together local storytellers and audiences to a lively one of a kind storytelling competition. Starts at 6:30pm, Call to register to tell YOUR wildlife encounter story! Listen to the best "Wildlife" themed stories Kingsville has to offer in the historic Jack Miner House. We will be kicking off the night with some of the best stories from our historic archives. Prizes for the top three best stories! Live music and refreshments. Pass the hat donation.
 
Friday April 12th - Lunch and Learn 
Bring your own lunch or light lunch will be available for a $5.00 donation from 12pm to 1:30pm. Jack Miner in the Era of the "Manly Man" talk by Leslie Pinto, Education and Public Programs Coordinator, B.A. Honours History, B.Ed, M.A, History.
 
Saturday April 13
8:00AM-2:00PM Sportsmen's Yard Sale in the Jack Miner Centre. Refreshments available.
 
For more information call (519) 733-4034, email [email protected] or visit   www.jackminer.ca  
Essex County Nature Meeting
Wednesday April 17th, 2019, 7:30pm, Ojibway Nature Centre, 5200 Matchette Road, Windsor, ON.  
Join us in welcoming Tammie Dobbie from Point Pelee National Park! She has been the Park Ecologist at Point Pelee National Park since 2005 and has been with Parks Canada for over 25 years. Her discussion will focus on the recent infrastructure projects that people have probably noticed at Point Pelee National Park: the new parking lot and facilities at Northwest Beach, the new Campground oTENTik village and the new 24 m observation tower scheduled to open this spring at the Tip. While these changes are easy to see, what visitors cannot see is what goes on behind the scenes to plan and construct this infrastructure in such a way that the ecological integrity of the park is still protected. Sometimes this creates challenges and very difficult decisions for an ecologist trying to protect and restore one of Canada's smallest and most heavily impacted national parks. Parking lot vs sand dunes... what do you do when faced with that choice? She'll share photos and stories from how these projects happen... spoiler alert... at one point her desk is covered in endangered snail slime.
Evening Spring Herp Walk 
Saturday April 13 2019 (rain date Saturday April 27), 1515 Mersea Rd 7 Leamington, 6:30pm.
An evening stroll at Dave Kraus' place who is a member of the Essex County Field Naturalists' Club will take place on Saturday April 13 starting around 6:30pm (poor weather date of April 27). Guests will be able to view spring wildflowers and a wide variety of wildlife on the walk, with lots of potential to see more at dusk. Please park on the grass farm lane off to the right before reaching the barn when coming down the gravel driveway. Wear waterproof boots, layers for the weather, and you might want a headlight or flashlight if you have one. Also, if you wish, bring a lawn chair to sit out after the walk and listen to the (hopefully) loud evening chorus, chat, and stargaze.
Ford City Earth Day Celebration 
Monday April 22 2019, Gary Dugal Park, 12pm to 2pm, 1247 Drouillard Road, Windsor, ON 
Celebrate Earth Day 2019 in Ford City! Meet at Garry Dugal Park, gather at the gazebo. Activities include a park clean sweep, tree planting, light refreshments, book-cycling  and more! Info: (519) 915-9583. 


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.