Join us on Tuesday, February 20th, 2024 at 7 pm for a free screening of two Water Brothers documentaries at the Imagine Lakeshore Cinemas, 164 Commercial Blvd, Tecumseh, ON.

The Water Brothers is an eco-adventure documentary series that reveals the current state of Ontario’s peatlands, wetlands, waterways, and soils. Join Canada’s favourite water ambassadors, Alex and Tyler Mifflin on a journey to investigate some of Ontario’s most pressing environmental challenges facing us today and highlight solutions to support the protection of humanity’s most precious resources.

The following episodes will be highlighted at the screening event:

“Paving Over Paradise” | About three quarters of southern Ontario’s wetlands are gone. How do we restore these vital habitats that help combat the effects of climate change?

“The Forever Chemicals” | A group of toxic chemicals known as PFAs are responsible for water-resistant properties of everyday products we use. But how dangerous are these “forever chemicals”?

DRCC staff will be in the lobby starting at 6:30 pm with a registration table and some educational displays, come say hello! Doors to the theater open at 6:30pm and the concession will be available to purchase drinks and snacks from. Following the documentaries, the DRCC will lead a panel discussion with experts to put a Great Lakes and Detroit River perspective on the documentaries.

The film screening is free but registration is required.

The Great Lakes Freshwater Ecosystem Initiative (GLFEI) is now accepting funding applications. The goal of GLFEI is to target 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 (GLWQA).

The Initiative focuses on the following priority areas for action:

• restoring water quality and ecosystem health in Great Lakes Areas of Concern (AOCs)
• preventing toxic and nuisance algae
• restoring and protecting critically important coastal areas, including wetlands
• reducing releases of harmful chemicals
• supporting community-based science
• increasing participation of Indigenous Peoples in governance, stewardship, and monitoring
• advancing Great Lakes governance, accountability, and reporting mechanisms

If you have an idea for a project in the Detroit River Area of Concern, please reach out to the RAP Coordinator. Applications are due by February 15, 2024.

ERCAs Spring 2024 Tree Program is now open!

Attention Essex County Residents - A variety of large stock and seedling trees are available for purchase through The Essex Region Conservation Authorities Spring Tree Program! Seedling orders must be received by January 26, and large stock orders must be received by March 1.

If you are interested in planting larger trees on your property, then the Spring Large Stock Program may be for you. ERCA offers 175 to 250 cm tall native hardwood trees and 60 to 80 cm tall evergreens and potted native shrubs.

ERCA also offers a Spring Seedling Tree Program for landowners owning a minimum of one acre of land. Seedlings purchased through this program may be planted by the landowner or through ERCAs full service program (for projects comprising of 500 seedlings or more) with grants that support between 75 and 90 percent of the project.

The 2024 online catalogue provides a convenient way for individuals to browse native tree and shrub species.  

Exciting news! The Ojibway Nature Centre and Optimist Community Centre presents family nature programs for kids aged 4-12.

The programs will run on Saturday mornings starting Jan 20 – March 30. To register, visit www.activewindsor.ca or call 519-255-1161. For more information email ojibway@citywindsor.ca or call 519-966-5852.

World Wetland Day: February 2

The theme for 2024 is “Wetlands and Human Wellbeing” and highlights how interconnected wetlands and human life are — with people drawing sustenance, inspiration and resilience from these productive ecosystems. Importantly, the theme for 2024 underscores how all aspects of human wellbeing are tied to the health of the world’s wetlands. This calls on each of us to value and steward our wetlands. Every wetland matters. Every effort counts.

Collaboration between many organizations help to protect existing coastal wetland habitat and restore the function in priority areas in the Detroit River. For example, the Great Lakes Marsh Monitoring Program has monitored wetland bird and amphibian populations binationally since 1995 with the help of Bird Studies Canada, Essex Region Conservation Authority, the United States Environmental Protection Agency and dedicated volunteers.

In addition, through the Canadian Wildlife Services branch of Environment and Climate Change Canada, the Great Lakes Coastal Wetland Monitoring program is administered to monitor wetland wildlife communities (marsh birds, aquatic macroinvertebrates and submerged aquatic vegetation), habitat and water quality.

Upcoming Local Events

Save the date for these great local events! Contact the organizers for more information.

Tree Planting and Tree Care Workshop

January 16, 2024, 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm, John R. Park Homestead, 915 Essex County Rd 50, Harrow, ON

This informative workshop will guide us through Essex Region Conservation Authority’s (ERCA) various tree planting and restoration programs, highlighting the great work that the residents of Essex County are doing to improve the natural areas of our region. Information will be provided on how you can get involved to help enhance and protect one of our regions greatest natural assets; our TREES! Spaces are limited so book your free ticket now.

ERCA's Annual General Meeting and Conservation Awards

January 18, 2024, 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm, Essex Civic Centre, 360 Fairview Avenue West, Essex, ON

Join ERCA as they celebrate the accomplishments of 2023 and announce this year’s Conservation Award Winners. More information.

Waterfowl Count at Navy Yard Park

January 27, 2024, 10 am, Navy Yard Park, 268 Dalhousie St. Amherstburg, ON

Join the Essex County Naturalist club in participating in the Lower Detroit River waterfowl count. No birding or counting experience necessary.



Meet at Royal Navy Yard Park (north end by the cannon) to look for waterfowl on the Detroit River.

Dark Sky Nights at Point Pelee National Park

February 3, 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.

Record Breaking Year of Birds in Essex County

February 14, 2024, 7:30 pm, Ojibway Nature Centre, 5200 Matchett Road. LaSalle, ON

Join Cameron Chevalier and the Essex County Field Naturalists at their February membership meeting. Cameron will highlight the 2023 record breaking year in bird records for Essex County and what to expect looking ahead in 2024.

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