Great Things Happening in 2019...!
Along with the many tree plantings, clean ups and other events planned for 2019, we're looking forward to seeing the construction of two new habitat creation projects in the Detroit River. Also, following the successful completion of the required research, we expect to see several assessments drafted for impairments, bringing us closer to delisting the Detroit River as an Area of Concern.  
 
Many thanks for the support, participation and enthusiasm for the Detroit River in 2018!  
 
Claire Sanders and Gina Pannunzio
(Please note that the office will be closed until Wednesday January 2nd!)  

Funding Available Under the Great Lakes Protection Initiative
Environment and Climate Change Canada launched a call for applications to freshwater funding programs, including funding under the Great Lakes Protection Initiative. Through the Great Lakes Protection Initiative, the Government of Canada takes action to address the most significant environmental challenges affecting Great Lakes water quality and ecosystem health by delivering on Canada's commitments under the Canada-United States Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement. 

Applications are now being accepted under the Great Lakes Protection Initiative for projects in support of restoring water quality and ecosystem health in Canadian Great Lakes Areas of Concern. The deadline to submit applications is January 11, 2019 at 11:59 p.m. EST.
 
To learn more about this funding opportunity and how to apply, please visit click here. Please contact the RAP Coordinator if you're interested in applying.
 
For general information on the Great Lakes Protection Initiative, please click here.

Join the How To Crew!
Calling all tree lovers! Essex Region Conservation is recruiting members to the How To Crew who play special role in preparing for the community Earth Day planting in the Little River Corridor in April 2019.

A How To Crew information workshop is being held on Thursday, January 31st. The meeting will take place at the Essex Civic Centre, 360 Fairview Avenue west, Essex, in Committee Room C.The meeting starts at 6:30pm and will run until 8pm.

No experience is required! All ages welcome.Click here for more information and to register.

Have Your Say in the Gordie Howe Bridge Community Benefits Initiatives
The Gordie Howe International Bridge project will include a Community Benefits Plan that will have a positive impact on communities in Windsor and Detroit and reflect what our stakeholders have told us is important to them. Since 2015, more than 230 suggestions for community benefits were submitted by Ontario and Michigan residents, Indigenous Peoples, business owners and community and municipal leaders.
 
WDBA's private-sector partner, Bridging North America, has prepared a list of potential community benefits for further consultation prior to the finalization of the Community Benefits Plan. This will ensure the Neighborhood Infrastructure Strategy reflects the uniqueness of the host communities and meets the request for community feedback on the final selection of initiatives. 
 
Youth Environment Ambassadors for ERCA
Essex Region Conservation is seeking nominations from youth aged 16 to 29 across Windsor-Essex interested in making a positive impact on the local environment as Youth Environment Ambassadors! The selected candidates will work with ERCA for a one to two year term to achieve a wide range of environmental objectives such as participating in various events, festivals, workshops, meetings that ERCA hosts and partners with other agencies with such as the Earth Day celebration and Essex Region Children's Water Festival. As well, the candidates will have an opportunity to participate in community restoration activities, attend special days at ERCA's various conservation areas, watershed cleanups, wildlife walks and monitoring events as well as creating exciting communications material to connect with other youth in the region.

Deadline to apply is January 6 2019. Click here for more information and to submit an application.
Changes to Ontario's Fish and Wildlife Act
New regulatory changes are being proposed to the Ontario Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act to create a hunting season for double-crested cormorants beginning in 2019. To read the proposed regulatory changes and additional details, as well as provide comment, click here. The review period closes on January 3 2019. 
Comment Period Open for 'Preserving and Protecting our Environment for Future Generations: A Made-in-Ontario Environment Plan'
The proposed Made-in-Ontario Environment Plan reflects the Ontario government's commitment to address the pressing challenges to protect air, land and water, reduce litter and waste, and support residents in Ontario to continue to do their share to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and help communities and families prepare for climate change.The commenting period closes closes at 11:59 p.m. on January 28, 2019. To read the report and submit a comment, click 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. 
Art Gallery of Windsor - The Living River Project: Art, Water and Possible Worlds
October 20 to January 20 2019, Art Gallery of Windsor, 401 Riverside Drive West, Windsor 
Visit the Art Gallery of Windsor soon to see The Living River Project: Art, Water and Possible Worlds. Co-curators of this exhibit, Patrick Mahon and Stuart Reid, build on previous iterations of the exhibition to consider the cultural, historical and environmental significance of water issues in the Windsor-Detroit corridor.  
Essex County Nature Meeting
Wednesday January 9 2019, 7:30pm, Ojibway Nature Centre, 5200 Matchette Road, Windsor, ON.  
Join us in welcoming Tim Arthur deliver his presentation titled, "Wild Algonquin - Birds and Wildlife of Algonquin Park!" 
Tree Planting and Care Workshop
Tuesday January 29 2019, Committee Room C, Essex Civic Centre, 360 Fairview Avenue west, Essex, ON, 6:30pm to 8pm.  
This exciting and dynamic workshop hosted by the Essex Region Conservation Authority will discuss ways in which you can get involved in the reforestation of Essex County. Learn about the environmental benefits of tree planting, grants and financial assistance to landowners for planting trees, the different tree planting techniques and the ways to care for your future forests and special shade trees. Click here to register.  


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.