S ave the Date! Tuesday, March 26th DRCC Presents:  
CLEAR WATER: DETROIT'S RIVER REVIVAL

In partnership with Friends of River Canard and St. Thomas of Villanova High School, join us for a free screening of Clear Water: Detroit's River Revival on Thursday March 26th at 7pm. Head to detroitriver.ca/movie to register today!

New Location!
St. Thomas of Villanova High School
2800 N Townline Rd, LaSalle, ON

 
CLEAR WATER: DETROIT'S RIVER REVIVAL is a documentary film that tells an inspirational story of environmental recovery. At Detroit's peak as a city of prosperity, population and the automobile capitol of the world, its river was one of the most polluted in the nation. So much so, that on October 9, 1969, Detroit's Rouge River burst into flames. Since then, the city has rallied to not only prevent further pollution, but to repair the damage that was already done. 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 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.
Happy World Wildlife Day!
World Wildlife Day is recognized on March 3 each year to celebrate all of the different plants and wild animals on Earth and raise awareness on the importance of conservation, highlight threatened or endangered species and connect individuals to action to do their part
 to protect wildlife.
Celebrating along the Detroit River
Partners of the Detroit River Remedial Action Plan have worked to restore wetland health, forests and prairies, shoreline, fish habitat and more in the watershed. Good quality habitat provides shelter, protection and a food source for the Detroit River's wildlife such as shorebirds, waterfowl, birds of prey, amphibians, reptiles, insects, aquatic and terrestrial mammals and more!
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.
Comment Period Open for Marathon Oil's Petroleum Coke Storage Project
In 2013, piles of petroleum coke were stored along the American Detroit riverfront. Through advocacy and leadership of the Detroit River community on both sides of the border, the piles were removed. Currently, Marathon Petroleum Company has been asked by the City of Detroit to install a roof on its storage area. The company has applied for a variance or waiver to mitigate the spread of coke dust, instead of installing a roof on their storage facility.  

Written public comments are welcome until March 18 2019. They can be submitted to Environmental Affairs, Coleman A. Young Municipal Centre, 2 Woodware Avenue., Suite 401, Detroit Michigan. For more information, and to submit a comment online, please click here.  
TVO Climate Watch Shorts: The Ojibway Prairie Complex
The Ojibway Prairie Complex is a collection of five  natural areas including Ojibway Park, Tallgrass Prairie Heritage Park, Black Oak Heritage Park, and Spring Garden Natural Area and the Ontario Prairie Provincial Nature Reserve. Together this 230 acre site consists of prairie, savanna, wetlands and forest habitats provide for a number of rare plants, insects, birds, mammals and reptiles. TVO highlighted this special area which connects to the Detroit River on February 25 2019 as part of their Climate Watch Shorts series. Click here to see it!
In recognition of World Water Day, we would like to highlight our partnering municipalities along the river including the City of Windsor Town of LaSalle and Town of Amherstburg who are all working hard to provide more public access to the river, cleaner water, and more habitat for fish and wildlife. Explore the Detroit River shoreline to see how much has changed over the last 90 years by checking out our Story Map www.detroitriver.ca/shoreline today!
Shiver on The River 2019
Thank you to everyone who joined the DRCC in participating in Shiver on the River this year! 
 
Each year the Friends of the Detroit River host Shiver on the River at Belle Isle Park. Shiver on the River is a family event designed to educate local citizens about the significance of the Detroit River, while promoting effective stewardship of the River and its surrounding ecosystems.
 
Guests were treated to ice rescue demonstrations, a coast guard fly by, caricatures, and magic show presentations while exploring the Belle Isle Casino, Belle Isle Aquarium, the Anna Scripps Whitcomb Conservatory, and the Belle Isle Nature Zoo. 
 
Fellow environmental organizations like The Sierra Club, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, and Sea Grant presented wonderful information displays and activities that encouraged visitors to learn more about how important and special the Detroit River is.  
International Day of Action for Rivers
March 2013
International Day of Action for Rivers is recognized each year on March 14 around the world to raise awareness about the protection and restoration rivers and their watersheds. Rivers are shared by multiple boundaries, and this day highlights the shared goal to strengthen regional and international networks who are stewards to the resources.

The Detroit River has served an important role in the history of the Windsor-Detroit area and is one of the busiest waterways in the world that connects Lakes Superior, Michigan, and Huron to the St. Lawrence Seaway. The River is designated an American Heritage River and a Canadian Heritage River, the only river to have this dual designation.

There are many actions both Canada and the United States have taken to make progress on restoring the Detroit River. To read about Canadian initiatives, visit our website at www.detroitriver.ca. To read about American projects, visit the Friends of the Detroit River page and check out their extensive efforts to improving fish and wildlife populations on Sugar Island, Lake Okonoka, Stony Island and more!
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. 
Self-guided Dark Sky Night  
Saturday March 9, 2019, Point Pelee National Park Visitor Center, 7:30pm to 11:59pm, 1118 Point Pelee Drive, Leamington, ON
Explore the park on your own after dark and experience the dark skies of Point Pelee. You will have the opportunity to stay late and see what goes on after dark. Note that there are no formal programs on these evenings. Visitors can pick up a seasonal star chart at the gate upon arrival. The park is open until midnight, unless otherwise stated.For more information please contact us at [email protected].
March Break Madness  
Monday March 11 to Friday March 15 2019, Point Pelee National Park Visitor Center, 10 am to 5 pm, 1118 Point Pelee Drive, Leamington, ON
Does your family suffer from March Break Madness? Point Pelee National Park has the cure!
Dust off the cobwebs and head out to Point Pelee National Park - you never know what the weather will be like during March Break, but rain, snow, or shine, we have great activities planned for the entire family. For more information please contact us at [email protected].
Maple  Moon 
Tuesday March 12 2019 and Sunday March 3 2019,  John R. Park Homestead, 915 Essex County Rd 50, Essex, ON, 7pm to 8:30pm 
Continue celebrating the maple season by participating in an old fashioned sugaring off party! Help the pioneers collect sap and boil it down by moonlight. Make taffy on the snow, join in the barn dance, linger for maple legends, and taste some sweet maple treats.
Essex County Nature Meeting
Wednesday March 13th, 2019, 7:30pm, Ojibway Nature Centre, 5200 Matchette Road, Windsor, ON.  
Elections, a review of the previous year's budget and minutes, with a fun quiz throughout.  Held at 7:30pm at the Ojibway Nature Centre.
Maple  March Break for Families 
Friday March 15 2019 and Sunday March 3 2019,  John R. Park Homestead, 915 Essex County Rd 50, Essex, ON, 1:30pm to 4pm 
A family friendly maple event perfect for celebrating March Break. Tour the site with interpreters guiding you along the way. Learn the history of this sweet springtime treat as you help to make and taste maple sugar. Arrive early, dress warmly, and be sure to wear boots!
Help carry the sap using pails and a wooden yoke. Try your hand at the brace and bit drill. See the trees tapped and the sap evaporating. Admission is $6/adult, $4/child (ages 3-16), $20 family maximum.
CEA 2019 Annual General Meeting
Saturday March 23 2019,  Roseland Golf & Curling Club, 455 Kennedy Drive West, Windsor, ON, 2:00pm 
All current members and supporters are invited to the CEA's 2019 Annual General Meeting. Current issues will be discussed, last year's accomplishments will be reviewed, new business can be introduced and this year's board members will be elected.
Click here to visit Citizen Environmental Alliance's website.
Riverkeeper Dinner 
Saturday March 30 2019. Wyandotte Boat Club, 1 Pine Street, Wyandotte MI, 6pm 
The Detroit Riverkeeper Program is central to the mission of the Friends of the Detroit River, and the Riverkeeper Dinner each spring is an opportunity to celebrate the achievements of FDR and the Riverkeeper Program. We have been blessed by the generous support of the Wyandotte Boat Club, which opens up their facility for our fundraising dinner each year. The event includes a delicious buffet dinner, a silent auction, and an informational presentation. It is the primary fundraiser for the Riverkeeper Program, and is a great networking event, with many of our members and friends in attendance.Click here to visit their website, purchase a ticket and view the event flyer.


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.