REGISTER NOW FOR OUR ANNUAL MEETING!

All are welcome to attend our 14th annual Detroit River Evening on June 25 2025! This event is free to the public and includes guest speakers highlighting achievements and project updates the DRCC partnership accomplished in the last year. The 2024/25 annual report and our Pathway to Delisting document will also be launched at the event. Join in the celebration, and keep an eye out for updates on this special event. Registration and event information are available at www.detroitriver.ca/dre2025.

Earth Month Celebrations

Thanks to a group of amazing volunteers and partners, 1,825lbs or 825kg of litter/refuse was removed from from Sandwich and the Detroit River shoreline on Saturday April 12 2025! Funding for this initiative was provided by Gordie Howe International Bridge Community Benefits Plan. Project partners include the City of Windsor, Essex Region Conservation, and the Windsor Port Authority.

Dozens of guests gathered at Maidstone Woods Conservation Area on April 24 2025 to join the Essex Region Conservation Authority’s in planting its 7 millionth tree as part of Earth Week celebrations.

The 55th Earth Day celebration took place at Malden Park on Sunday April 27 2025. Many local groups gathered to showcase the amazing work taking place across the region to improve the environment. The DRCC hosted a booth to share information about the remedial and restorative actions of a decades long partnership focusing on restoring the Detroit River! Staff also launched a special outreach game highlighting fishing in Detroit River and navigating consumption advisories to eat safe fish.

Many volunteers made light work of planting over 2,000 native trees and shrubs on Sunday April 27 2025 along the Ganatchio Trail. ERCA is thankful to ENWIN, Tree Canada and Green Sun Rising Inc. for generously sponsoring this year's trees.

ERCA takes ownership of significant lands in Detroit River watershed

More than 100 acres of environmentally significant lands located within the Detroit River Watershed have been transferred to the Essex Region Conservation Authority (ERCA) by the Ministry of Transportation to provide for their long-term protection and stewardship.  

Funding for Farmers

The Clean Water ~ Green Spaces Grant Program is officially OPEN for applications!

Whether you're starting something new or building on current practices, this program offers funding for a variety of on-farm projects that support:

🌾 Soil health

💧 Water quality

🌿 Sustainable agriculture

Program details and application forms are available now on ERCA's website.

Lake Erie Rangers Volunteer Opportunities

The Lake Erie Rangers program is now recruiting new volunteers to support a range of meaningful environmental initiatives. As a Lake Erie Ranger, you’ll have the chance to get hands-on with freshwater science and stewardship. Volunteer roles include:

• Winter road salt monitoring – Help us track the impact of salt on local waterways (This is a year round activity).
• Baseline water quality testing – Use our Freshwater Explorer testkits to monitor key indicators (25 spots available)
• E. coli and nutrient monitoring – Contribute to vital data collection for public and ecosystem health (5 spots available)
• Fall planting projects – Support restoration by planting native species in wetlands and riparian zones
• Shoreline erosion monitoring – Use VAST, a Swim Drink Fish tool, to document and assess shoreline changes – (no limit)



Whether you’re a student, retiree, outdoor enthusiast, or local leader—there’s a place for you on the Lake Erie Rangers team. Families welcome!

👉 Sign up here. Contact Water Rangers at contact@waterrangers.ca with any questions. Help us protect the water that connects and sustains us all.

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 10 and 11, 2025 (12:01 a.m. Saturday to 11:59 p.m. Sunday)!

Note that participants fishing without a license must fish under the Conservation fishing license limits which are set out in the current Ontario Recreational Fishing Regulations Summary. Hint - the Detroit River is in Fisheries Management Zone 19. If eating the fish, don't forget to follow the fish consumption guidelines outlined in the Guide to Eating Ontario Fish.

Town of Essex Corporate Tree Inventory

Did you know that part of the Town of Essex is in the Detroit River watershed, and River Canard sub-watershed?

Recently, the Town of Essex completed a corporate inventory survey to determine the economic value of their public right of way trees. Of the 4,600 plus trees identified, they are estimated to be worth $18.7 million! The ecological and nature based solutions these trees provide include overhead canopy, shade, biodiversity, increased resilience to our changing climate and improve public spaces.

In addition, the report mentions, about 83% of the trees are thriving, while 256 need replacement. Silver Maple trees make up 40% of the canopy, and a tree nursery is going to be implemented in Harrow, ON.

World Turtle Day - May 23 2025

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.

The DRCC monitored reproduction and development in snapping turtles between 2014 and 2016 in the Detroit River. There is little evidence suggesting that exposure to legacy contaminants originating from local sources in the Detroit River watershed, and therefore found no evidence of impairment.

This study was part of a series of monitoring and research condcted between 2008 and 2019 on six sentinel wildlife species (Northern leopard frogs (2008 to 2013), Black-crowned night-herons (2009 and 2011), Snapping turtles (2014 to 2016), other colonial waterbirds (2015 to 2019), and tree swallows (2016 to 2019). These efforts contribute to understanding the status of the Bird or Animal Deformities or Reproduction Problems BUI (BUI #5).

A message from the Essex County Field Naturalists' Club:

For those who reside in Essex County, Consider joining the (Essex County Nature) Essex County Field Naturalists’ Turtle Conservation Committee! If you are interested please send an email to Xandercampbell777@gmail.com.

The Turtle Conservation Committee of the Essex County Field Naturalists Club is committed to protecting and conserving turtles, their nests and habitats in Essex County. While partnering with the local conservation authority, wildlife rehabilitation centres and other environmental groups, the goals are to identify overwintering sites, nesting sites, critical habitats and threats to the established populations, and to extend our knowledge of the abundance and distribution of native turtles in Essex County. The major key components of this project will be visual encounter surveys, nest monitoring and protection, and road mortality surveys, all of which are permitted activities under our approved MNR & MECP Permits and Protocols.

If you come across a nesting, injured or deceased turtle in Essex county please call or text (226) 348-2057 either myself or a volunteer from the Turtle Conservation Committee will be available to respond or provide “next Steps” on the circumstances. (Examples: Bringing individuals to Authorized Wildlife Custodians or First Responders, protecting at-risk turtle nests, etc.)

Thank you,

Alexander

Project Biologist & Committee Chair

Turtle Conservation Committee,

Essex County Field Naturalists Club

Great Lakes Now - Phragmites and Aquatic Species

Great Lakes Now offers a monthly magazine-style television program and daily online reports at GreatLakesNow.org, highlighting well informed news, issues, events and developments affecting the lakes and the communities that depend on them, while capturing the character and culture of the region. Subscribe to their newsletter.

Check out these two pieces from their April 2025 newsletter! How well do you know aquatic Great Lakes species and, a video highlighting an all hands on deck approach to battling invasive Phragmites in Ontario.

Test your knowledge of Great Lakes aquatic species by taking the quiz today!

Invasive Phragmites (European Common reed) are taking over wetland habitat across Ontario. Check out this video on the Great Lakes Now YouTube channel produced by TWO Today. Janice Gilbert leads the charge by using herbicide, controlled burns and the cut-to-drown technique to fight against this invasive plant. This video was filmed at Kettle and Stony Point First Nation.

Fun River Fact

The Detroit River is home to 31 charted islands, most located on the American side of the river. Many of the islands are small in size and uninhabited. None are divided by the international border.

Upcoming Local Events

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

Festival of Birds

May 1 to 19 2025, Point Pelee National Park, 1118 Point Pelee Drive, Leamington, ON

The Friends of Point Pelee and Point Pelee National Park invite you to celebrate spring migration at the 2025 Festival of Birds from May 1 to May 19. 

• Learn about Savannah restoration and how it benefits birds
• Purchase exclusive Festival merchandise featuring the Sandhill Crane
• Complete the 100 Species Challenge and earn the limited edition Yellow Warbler pin
• 2025 Festival of Birds Hike Registration begins February 1, 2025
• Programs schedule

Nature and Garden Show

Saturday May 3 2025, 10am to 4pm. Grovedale Arts and Culture Centre, 103 Park Street, Kingsville, ON

Kingsville Nature and Garden Show, organized by Kingsville's Communities in Bloom (CIB) Committee, takes place at the Grovedale Arts & Culture Centre, 103 Park Street, on May 3, 2025 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. More information available here.

AWE Workshop: Shadow drawings with Emily Conlon

Saturday May 3 2025, 1pm to 3pm, Point Pelee National Park, 1118 Point Pelee Drive, Leamington, ON

Location: Visitor Centre classroom, short walk on the Woodland Nature Trail 

Fee: $10 – single; $25 – family (up to 5 people) 

Facilitator: Emily Conlon  

Discover the art of shadow drawing with the sun as your guide! Join artist Emily Conlon at Point Pelee National Park, where you'll capture the unique shadows of plants and trees to create stunning abstract artwork. Enhance your creations with watercolours and markers. Perfect for all ages and skill levels—no art experience needed!

Emily Conlon (she/her) is a multidisciplinary artist and educator based in Windsor, Ontario. She holds an MFA in Studio Art from the University of Saskatchewan and a BFA Honours in Visual Arts from the University of Windsor. Emily is on the board of directors for SK Printmakers and has exhibited her work across Canada and internationally. Most recently, she was an exhibiting artist at Nuit Blanche Saskatoon and the Prague Quadrennial of Performance Design and Space.

Annual Detroit River Walleye Classic

Saturday May 3 2025, LaSalle Landing, 970 Front Road, LaSalle, ON

The 16th Annual Detroit River Walleye Classic will take place May 3rd, 2025 at The LaSalle Landing (formerly Gil Maure Park) located at Laurier & Front Road.

Early Bird Registrations begin on February 21st at only $45 until April 1st! After that registration increases to $65 and closes on April 28th. Registrations on the day of the event are $100.

More information available: Detroit River Walleye Classic

AWE Workshop: Nature Cyanotypes with Sarah Smitherman

Saturday May 3 2025, 1pm to 3pm, Point Pelee National Park, 1118 Point Pelee Drive, Leamington, ON

Location: Visitor Centre classroom, short walk on the Woodland Nature Trail 

Fee: $10 – single; $25 – family (up to 5 people) 

Facilitator: Emily Conlon  

Learn how to create your very own botanical sun prints! Explore photographic printing techniques during this family-friendly activity to create images that utilize the sun and other natural materials. Perfect for all ages and skill levels—no art experience needed!



Sarah Smitherman is an interdisciplinary artist living in Windsor, Ontario whose practice consists of material explorations and the inclusion of found objects. She often explores notions of place, impermanence, and identity through her work. Sarah’s art has been displayed in exhibitions within Canada, Europe, and the United States.

Friends of the Homestead Yard Sale

May 4 to 2025, 11am to 4pm, John R. Park Homestead, 915 Essex County Road 50, Harrow, on



Join the Friends of the John R. Park Homestead at their annual yard sale! Discover treasures old and new, there's something for everyone!

Jane's Walk Festival

May 2025, various locations and times

The Windsor-Essex Jane's Walk is back and bigger than ever for 2025, launching our largest schedule to date with three event formats: Jane's Walks (guided walking tours), Jane’s Talks (seated presentations) and Jane’s Talk & Tours (tours of historic buildings).​ Get ready for 55 events in 20+ neighbourhoods! This year’s festival spans two weekends:

• Windsor-Tecumseh Weekend: Friday, May 2 – Sunday, May 4
• View schedule as a timetable

​​

​Jane’s Walks and Jane's Talks are free to attend and are hosted by volunteers.  Registration is required as capacity is limited. Full details here.

Global Migratory Bird Day

May 8 2025, 7pm to 11:59pm, Zoom

Please join Pelee Island Bird Observatory on May 8th to celebrate Global Migratory Bird Day with a webinar hosted by Gill Holmes, where they will recount the experiences they’ve had as a field technician with a deep dive into the birds and research projects they’ve assisted with thus far in their career.



Topic: Bird Talk with Gill

Time: May 8, 2025 07:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/8580047546... 

Meeting ID: 858 0047 5467

Passcode: 061220

Migratory Bird Day

May 10 2025, 10am to 5pm, Ojibway Nature Centre, 5200 Matchette Road, Windsor

Come celebrate bird conservation! Join guided hikes, hear from special guests, local partners and more!

Windsor Sportsmen's Club Kids, Cops and Canadian Tire Annual Fishing Derby

May 10 2025, 7:30am to 12:30pm, Reaume Park, 236-246 Pillette Road and Dieppe Park, 78 Riverside Drive west Windsor, ON

This free event is open to all kids 12 and under to participate in the annual derby at both Reaume and Dieppe Parks in Windsor at the riverfront. Free bait is provided. Awards and a light lunch will be held at the Windsor Sportsmen's Club afterwards. Please bring your own rod and bait containers. For more information, please contact Greg Rossyan at truckergreg62@gmail.com.

Shorebird Cell Viewing with OFO Opportunities

During the month of May 2025, Hillman Marsh Conservation Area, 1826 Mersea Rd 2, Leamington, ON N8H 3V7, Canada

Join the expert volunteers from the Ontario Field Ornithologists at the Shorebird Viewing Blind to learn more about how to identify shorebirds. Utilize the signage to identify distinct features. Bring your scope, binoculars and a bird ID guide (or apps) for this interesting afternoon of shorebird spotting!

Gate fee is $10 per vehicle payable in the parking lot via HONK mobile parking. A Spring Birding Pass or Seasonal Pass also provide admission.

• May 03, 2025, 3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
• May 07, 2025, 3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
• May 10, 2025, 3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
• May 14, 2025, 3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. - Shorebird Hike with Jean Iron
• May 14, 2025, 3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
• May 17, 2025, 3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
• May 19, 2025, 3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Mic Mac Park Community Tree Planting

Saturday May 24 2025, 9am to 12pm, Mic Mac Park, 1125 Prince Road, Windsor, ON

Join ERCA at a community tree planting event in West Windsor! Funding for this initiative has been provided by the Gordie Howe International Bridge Community Benefits Plan. More information available here.

Self-guided Dark Sky Night

Saturday May 31 2025, 7:30pm to 11:59pm, Point Pelee National Park, 1118 Point Pelee Drive, Leamington, ON

Explore the park after dark and experience the dark skies of Point Pelee National Park. You will have the opportunity to stay late and experience the park at night. Hosted by RASC - please check at the entrance kiosk for the location of programming in the park.

The park is open until midnight, unless otherwise stated. For more information please contact us at pelee.info@pc.gc.ca. More information on Dark Sky Nights

Turkey Creek Litter Cleanup

Saturday June 21 2025, 10am to 12pm, Vince Marcotte Park, 1495 Kipling Ave, Windsor, ON N9J 3P5, Canada

On June 21, 2025, Essex Region Conservation Authority (ERCA) and the Detroit River Canadian Cleanup team will work with community volunteers to remove accumulated debris and litter along a portion of the Turkey Creek and LaSalle Trail System.

ERCA staff will be set up in Vince Marcotte Park conducting onsite registration beginning at 10 am. All participants will need to sign a waiver, which will be available via e-mail the evening before the event to print and sign at home, as well as at the registration table the day of the event. Those under 18 years of age will need a parent/guardian to sign the waiver on their behalf. There will be two ERCA canoes and 4 life jackets available for in-water cleanup works. Canoes will be launched from Vince Marcotte Park canoe launch. Please contact gpannunzio@erca.org to reserve your canoe. Registration is available here.

Please dress for the weather and wear closed toed sturdy shoes. This location involves walking long distances with litter collection bags/buckets and moving up and down the slopes of Turkey Creek.  

Family Fishing Day on the Detroit River

Saturday July 5 2025, 8am to 12pm, Front Road Park, 1 Laurier Drive, LaSalle, ON

Come join us! The Detroit River Family Fishing Day will be held on Saturday July 5 2025 from 8am to 12pm at Front Road Park. This park is located at 1 Laurier Drive, the intersection of Laurier Driver and Front Road, LaSalle, ON. Parking available at the public lot on Adams Lane. 

This event takes place during Ontario Family Fishing Event week when residents can fish in Ontario waters without the mandatory license. Join expert anglers from Just Fishin' Friends for a fun morning on the river. Fishing equipment will be available for public use for free and there will be displays, giveaways and more!

Participants are encouraged to bring their own rods (if they have them) as we have a limited number available, personal flotation devices for those under the age of 18, folding chairs, a hat, sunscreen/bug spray, reusable water bottle, snacks and plenty of patience while waiting for a bite!

All children must be accompanied by a parent, grandparent or legal guardian who will be required to sign a waiver and release form on site for each participating child. 

Second Ontario Purple Martin Festival

Saturday July 12 2025, 10am to 4pm, Colchester Schoolhouse Site, 195 Bagot Street, Colchester, ON

Purple Martins are a uniquely people-friendly bird, depending solely on flying insects for their survival. This site has an established colony of both Purple Martins and Chimney Swifts! Join the OPMA in their 25th year at this festival with vendor booths, speakers and presentations, bird banding, learning activities and more!

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

Have Something to Share?

We're always looking for fun and dynamic content to include in our monthly newsletters! If you'd like to share a personal story about the Detroit River, promote an upcoming event, or recognize a local environmental hero in our monthly newsletter, please email: postmaster@detroitriver.ca.