In accordance with public health guidelines, the Detroit River Canadian Cleanup (DRCC) office remains closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Should you need to reach the DRCC, we can be reached via e-mail or telephone at (519) 982-3722.
|
|
The Detroit River Canadian Cleanup and Detroit River Coalition Earth Week programming was a success! We started the week off with Detroit River Binational Bingo featuring questions about both sides of the river. Participants had a great time, won some cool prizes, and learned about the river at the same time! |
|
Habitat Restoration Presentation |
|
We also did a joint habitat restoration presentation with our friends from Friends of the Detroit River. Bob Burns, the Detroit Riverkeeper, presented some of the habitat projects on the U.S. side of the river to date, and our Remedial Action Plan Coordinator highlighted our habitat efforts on the Canadian side of the river. Miss the presentation? Watch it below! |
|
Art and Photo Contest Winners |
|
The results of our Earth Week Art and Photo Contest are in! Congratulations to all and thanks to everyone who submitted their art and photos. See below the winners for the various adult and youth categories. |
|
|
|
Trees by the river by Lauren H. |
|
Youth (0-17) Photo Winner |
Trees are sensitive by Rhys W. |
|
|
|
|
Mirror of the heart by Emily L. |
|
Dingell Park at Sunrise 4 21 2021 by Anthony D |
|
|
In recognition of Earth Day (April 22 2021), Windsor of Change interviewed DRCC's Remedial Action Plan Coordinator about local programming, the history of the Detroit River and how the community can continue to protect it. |
|
100 year old Lake Sturgeon caught in the Detroit River |
|
A once in a lifetime catch for the Alpena Fish and Wildlife Office of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service! A 240 lbs, 6'10" long lake sturgeon with a girth of nearly 4' was caught on the American side of the Detroit River. This fish is one of the largest lake sturgeon ever recorded in the U.S.
Based on its girth and size, it is assumed to be a female and that she has been roaming our waters over 100 years. So, she likely hatched in the Detroit River around 1920 when Detroit became the 4th largest city in America. She was quickly released back into the river after being processed!
Photo credit: Alpena Fish and Wildlife Office
|
|
Are you looking to include native plants in your garden this year? |
|
Windsor-Essex is part of the Carolinian Zone, which means your garden can be a critical piece to restoring and creating habitat for plants and wildlife. By planting ONE native plant, establishing a patch of wildflowers or transforming your yard with multiple species, you can create an ecosystem that provides resources like food and shelter to pollinators, other insects, birds and more!
Where can you get started? WWF-Canada has partnered with Loblaws to source native plants for 35 of their Garden Centres across southern Ontario. This initiative supports the Carolinian Canada Coalition In the Zone program to bring native plants to your backyard!
Loblaws/Superstore/Zehrs garden centres in Windsor-Essex will carry a variety of locally grown and ethically sourced native plants which grow easily in local conditions. They’ve been carefully selected and grown by Ontario native plant growers and will make excellent habitat for pollinators and other wildlife in your garden.
|
|
City of Windsor Ojibway Parkway Wildlife Crossing Class Environmental Assessment |
|
The City of Windsor has initiated a Municipal Class Environmental Assessment (Class EA) study for a Wildlife Crossing at Ojibway Parkway south of Broadway Boulevard. The purpose of this study is to identify opportunities to provide safe passage for area wildlife and species at risk and create landscape connectivity in the Ojibway Prairie Complex.
The Class Environmental Assessment process requires that various reasonable solutions be identified and evaluated to determine a preferred solution. For this study, an evaluation of alternative solutions was conducted, which identified a Preferred Solution being a Wildlife Overpass (North Option). Consultation with the public, Indigenous groups, key stakeholders, and regulatory agencies is an important component of the Class EA process and the City of Windsor is currently seeking public input on the potential options. Comments are due May 3.
|
|
License Free Fishing Weekend |
|
Four times a year, Canadian residents in Ontario can fish without buying a fishing license. Enjoy the opportunity to fish the Detroit River license free coming up between May 8 and 9, 2021 (12:01 a.m. Saturday to 11:59 p.m. Sunday)!
|
|
Do you fish the Detroit River? |
|
Representatives from the DRCC will be out on the river over the next few months interviewing anglers for our Fish Consumption Survey. We're interested in which types of fish anglers eat from the river, how much they eat, and how often they eat fish from the Detroit River. The results of this survey will provide valuable information to Detroit River Canadian Cleanup (DRCC) staff to help guide future research, education and outreach, monitoring and remediation efforts in the Detroit River watershed. All surveys will be conducted in accordance with public health guidelines, including the interviewer wearing a mask and maintaining social distance. The survey is also being offered online. |
|
Open for comment: Canada’s Great Lakes Strategy for PFOS, PFOA, and LC-PFCAs Risk Management |
|
The Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement (GLWQA) commits Canada and the United States to prepare and issue binational strategies for Chemicals of Mutual Concern (CMCs), which may include research, monitoring, surveillance, and pollution prevention and control provisions.
A Draft of Canada’s Great Lakes Strategy for Perfluorooctane Sulfonate (PFOS), Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA), and Long-Chain Perfluorocarboxylic Acids (LC-PFCAs) Risk Management is now available for public review. The Draft Strategy identifies opportunities for additional Canadian actions to address data gaps and better achieve key commitment under the GLWQA by minimizing the release of PFOS, PFOA, and LC-PFCAs to the Great Lakes basin. Actions can be considered by a variety of stakeholders, including industry, academia, and non-government organizations.
The period for interested agencies, organizations, and individuals to provide comments on the draft Strategy is from April 26, 2021 to May 26, 2021.
|
|
International Day for Biological Diversity - May 22 |
The United Nations has proclaimed May 22 The International Day for Biological Diversity (IDB) to increase understanding and awareness of biodiversity issues. This year's theme is, "We're part of the solution."
The theme was chosen to be a continuation of the momentum generated last year under the over-arching theme, “Our solutions are in nature”, which served as a reminder that biodiversity remains the answer to several sustainable development challenges. From nature-based solutions to climate, health issues, food and water security, and sustainable livelihoods, biodiversity is the foundation upon which we can build back better.
|
|
There are many native turtles to the Windsor Essex region, and you might just see them basking, swimming, nesting and doing other turtle things as they become more active this time of year. May-Early June is when they begin to explore and find nesting sites. Be aware of turtles crossing the road, especially in areas where there are wetlands and ponds.
DYK? The DRCC monitored reproduction and development in snapping turtles in the Detroit River and found no evidence of impairment.
|
|
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.
|
|
|
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. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
