The Detroit River Evening celebration was a success! | |
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Many thanks to everyone who came out for the Detroit River Evening to celebrate another year of progress in person!
Notably, thank you to all the presenters who provided updates on the important work being done in the Detroit River Area of Concern including Tom Henderson, the DRCC Public Advisory Council Chair, Mike Fisher, President of the The Friends Of Ojibway Prairie, Dr. John Hartig, and Essex Region Conservation.
In addition, thank you to the Windsor Yacht Club for hosting both our Steering and Implementation Committee meeting and our evening celebration. We appreciate the members and partners of our Steering and Implementation Committee who support the DRCC's progress on restoring the Detroit River. We sincerely enjoyed spending the afternoon at Peche Island and Collavino Conservation Area together.
Finally, thank you to Environment and Climate Change Canada and the Ministry of Environment Conservation and Parks, for your guidance and funding support to make all of these projects and events possible!
Visit our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages on social media to see photos of the days' events.
Please note, due to unforeseen circumstances the Peche Island restoration boat tours were cancelled. We hope to offer this program in the future.
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Annual Report and Pathway to Delisting 2022/23 | |
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Learn more about the many projects that took place over the last year.
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We have also updated the Pathway to Delisting document. This living work plan outlines the remaining actions necessary to delist the Canadian side of the Detroit River as an Area of Concern. | |
*New* Peche Island Outreach Materials | |
The DRCC in partnership with the City of Windsor has designed three new interpretation and outreach products to share the story of Peche Island! The three products include a video highlighting the significant erosion mitigation, habitat restoration and partnership project, completed in fall 2022 as well as a new visitor brochure and map and an interpretation panel that will be on display, traveling with the DRCC and will be available to view at the Ojibway Nature Centre. | |
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Boat safety on the Detroit River
As a steward of the Detroit River, the DRCC knows a healthy river system equals boating, kayaking, jet skiing, canoeing, standup paddle boarding and other forms of shoreline and in river recreation. Who can resist the call of the blue waters? If you are heading out on the water this summer, here are some safety tips to make your boating experience fun and safe this season.
Wear a life jacket - even if you don't plan on jumping in, most fatalities with boating are from drowning. Everyone on board including young children should have a life jacket.
Swimming and boating skills - make sure everyone has taken swimming lessons and is comfortable in the water. This knowledge can be life saving. Never leave children unsupervised on the boat or when in the water.
Safety equipment - aside from life jackets, pack a fire extinguisher, first-aid kit, flashlight, your cellphone, marine radio and an air horn or whistle for signaling other boats in the river. All of these tools will help in an emergency.
Plan your route - have your route planned in advance so you can navigate the water carefully and with ease. Better yet, tell someone who isn't going on your trip where you are going and how long you might be.
Know your environment - the water in the Detroit River moves fast! The Windsor Port Authority Harbourmaster Peter Berry says some areas of the river are travelling at 20 kilometres an hour. Also, Great Lakes are more likely to have larger waves and be cooler than shallow inland waterways like tributaries. Cold water can lead to hypothermia and unconsciousness in as little as fifteen minutes.
Watch the weather - wind can rough the water and can pose a hazard to smaller watercraft, especially in the Detroit River. Lightning is also a risk to an open boat exposed on the water. Check the forecast often for any day you plan to be out in the water and delay the trip if weather is hazardous.
Look before you leap - diving or jumping off a boat can lead to injury if there are underwater items like rocks below.
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A report on behalf of the Little River Enhancement Group
Essex County Nature and the Essex Region Conservation Authority (ERCA) created a tree planting project to help the WindsorEssex Community Foundation (WECF) celebrate their 40th Anniversary. Our idea was to plant 40 native trees in a natural area or park in the Detroit River Watershed.
“A tree is our most intimate contact with nature.”
~George Nakashima
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2022 Great Lakes Lakewide Action and Management Plans Annual Reports Available Online | |
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The 2022 Lakewide Action and Management Plan (LAMP) Annual Reports are now available.
LAMPs are binational ecosystem-based strategies for protecting and restoring the water quality of the Great Lakes. These five-year strategic plans identify key priorities for each Great Lake and guide the coordination of binational environmental protection and restoration activities. The Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement also commits the United States and Canada to provide annual updates on implementing each LAMP.
These 2022 LAMP Annual Reports highlight accomplishments and progress during the past year for each Great Lake, including protection and restoration actions, science and monitoring, and outreach activities. 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 coordinate binational LAMP actions, facilitate information sharing, and identify priorities for science and management actions, as described in the 2012 Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement.
Lake Erie LAMP
The 2024-2028 Lake Erie LAMP is in development and will build upon the accomplishments of the 2019-2023 Lake Erie LAMP. The LAMP identifies ecosystem priorities for Lake Erie and guides the coordination of many environmental protection and restoration activities aimed at preserving and protecting Lake Erie’s water quality and ecosystem health. Interested organizations and individuals were invited to provide input to the 2024 – 2028 LAMP at an early stage, and a draft plan will be made available for comment later this year. LAMPs are issued for each of the Great Lakes every five years on a rotational basis. The upcoming LAMP is scheduled for completion by the end of 2023.
The 2022 Lake Erie LAMP Annual Report is now available on Binational.net. The report provides a summary of the accomplishments of the Lake Erie Partnership agencies and an update on the status of selected Lake Erie priority projects.
Stay Informed!
We appreciate and value your interest in the Great Lakes. If you wish to update any of your contact information or be removed from this distribution list, please send an email to greatlakes-grandlacs@ec.gc.ca with “unsubscribe” in the subject line. As always, your details will be treated as privileged information and will only be used to distribute Great Lakes information to you.
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Nutrients and Algal Blooms in Lake Erie | |
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Are you interested in the impact of algal blooms and nutrient pollution on the health of Lake Erie? If so, mark your calendars for Tuesday, June 20, 2023, at 10 a.m. CT (11 a.m. ET) for a one-hour public webinar, Nutrients and Algal Blooms in Lake Erie as part of our Let’s Talk Lake Erie webinar series!
Join us for an overview on the relationship between nutrients and algal blooms and their impact in the Great Lakes. Discover how the Living Lab initiative in Ontario is working to reduce the loss of nutrients by studying working farms in the Lake Erie basin. We will also learn about how Ohio State University is using innovative solutions such as phosphorus absorption structures and wetlands to tackle persistent sources of phosphorus and help reduce their impact.
Guest speakers include: Rob Hyde (ECCC); Tracey Ryan (Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association); and Michael Brooker (Ohio State University).
This webinar is free, open to the public and suitable for anyone who is passionate about the Great Lakes!
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Western Lake Erie Harmful Algal Bloom Early Season Projection (Projection 05 - 2023-06-01) | |
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Provided by NOAA's National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science (NCCOS)
This bulletin provides a seasonal projection of the Microcystis harmful algal blooms (HABs) in western Lake Erie. The bulletin is updated and sent weekly from May - June.
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The Western Lake Erie HAB Early Season Projection provides an estimate of potential cyanobacterial harmful algal bloom (HAB) severity. The projected severity depends on input of total bioavailable phosphorus (TBP) from the Maumee River during the loading season (March 1-July 31), and uses a combination of measurements and forecasts of Maumee River discharge from the National Weather Service - Ohio River Forecast
Center (through July) and phosphorus loads measured by the Heidelberg University National Center for Water Quality Research.
With observations through May 30th, we see little change in the forecast from previous weeks and continue to predict a small to moderate bloom with a severity between 2.5-5.5. A smaller bloom (severity: 2.5-3.5), is expected if precipitation remains at or below average for the rest of the loading season (June-July). The range in forecasted severity reflects the uncertainty in forecasting precipitation, particularly for late June and July. We will continue to update the early season projection weekly and will issue a comprehensive seasonal forecast on June 29th. Any bloom that does develop will change throughout the summer and move with the wind and currents; we will provide information on the presence and location of the bloom throughout the summer.
- A. Hounshell, R. Stumpf, J. Noel (NOAA), & L. Johnson (Heidelberg University)
For more information visit: www.coastalscience.noaa.gov/science-areas/habs/hab-forecasts/lake-erie
Questions? Contact: hab@noaa.gov
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World Environment Day - June 5
World Environment Day is celebrated annually on 5 June and encourages awareness and action for the protection of the environment. It is supported by many non-governmental organizations, businesses, government entities, and represents the primary United Nations outreach day supporting the environment.
This year's theme highlights the devastating impacts of plastic pollution.
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Canadian Rivers Day - June 11
Canadian Rivers Day is held annually to promote public awareness of the importance of preserving the heritage and health of Canada's rivers. It is an opportunity for all Canadians to honour and commemorate the important sustaining role of rivers in Canada and globally. Participating in rivers day helps to spread the message that rivers are vital to maintain a healthy ocean and a healthy earth.
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Save the date for these great local events! Contact the organizers for more information. | |
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Detroit River Family Fishing Day
July 8 2023, 8am to 1pm, Front Road Park, Front Road, LaSalle, ON
Save the date! We will be hosting the Detroit River Family Fishing Day on July 8 2023 with Just Fishin' Friends!
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ERCA's 50th Anniversary
July 16 2023, 1pm to 5pm, John R. Park Homestead, 915 Essex County Road 50, Harrown, ON
You are invited to celebrate 50 years of conservation! Sunday, July 16, from 1pm – 5pm, at the John R. Park Homestead Conservation Area. Please RSVP through Eventbrite!
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34th Annual Essex Region Conservation Foundation Golf Tournament
July 20 2023, 11:45am to 5pm, Kingsville Golf and Country Club, 640 County Road 20, Kingsville, ON
Join us for a full day of golf, food, and fun at the Kingsville Golf & Country Club in support of conservation efforts in the #PlaceforLife!
Your golf package includes:
- 9 or 18 holes & carts on this 27 hole course
- Lunch at the turn
- Fabulous gifts for every golfer
- Great prizes and contests
- Gourmet Dinner and auction
Sponsorship Opportunities Available!
Download the Registration packet here, or contact Danielle Stuebing, Director of Communications & Outreach Services for more information: 519-776-5209 x352 or dstuebing@erca.org.
Register on Eventbrite!
Join us at this beautiful course located right next to the Chrysler Canada Greenway!
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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.
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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. |
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