On September 11 2021, Essex Region Conservation Authority (ERCA) and the Detroit River Canadian Cleanup (DRCC) will work with volunteers to remove accumulated debris and litter at Sandwich at McKee and Queen's Dock Park in Sandwich.
Participants will meet at 10 am at McKee Park for on-site check in and instructions. Pre-registration through Eventbrite is required and COVID-19 protocols will be in place including wearing masks, social distancing, handwashing and sanitization, self-assessments, and limited registration (so register now!). Note: modifications to the event or cancellation may occur due to COVID-19. The latest updates to the event can be found on social media @detroitrivercanadiancleanup.
This cleanup will benefit the community by providing educational experiences about litter and waste, fostering environmental stewardship of the Detroit River in participants, cleaning public spaces, improving the aesthetics of the area, and removing trash that could potentially be ingested by pets and wildlife and cause negative consequences.
Funding for the Sandwich Litter Cleanup has been provided by the Gordie Howe International Bridge Community Benefits Plan.
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Reflections on the 20th Anniversary of the Canadian Heritage River Designation: An Interview with Dr. John Hartig |
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July 19, 2021 marked the 20th anniversary of the Detroit River being named a Canadian Heritage River. The river is truly a shared resource bringing the people of two nations together. The American side of the Detroit River was designated a Heritage River in 1998. With the Canadian side being designated a Canadian Heritage River in 2001, the Detroit River became the first river on the continent to receive both Canadian and American heritage river status.
To celebrate the Detroit River as a binational Heritage River, we interviewed Dr. John Hartig, a visiting scholar at the Great Lakes Institute of Environmental Research. In our interview, Dr. Hartig reflected on the importance of the Heritage River designation, his role in designating the American side of the Detroit River a Heritage River, and his experience as the International Wildlife Refuge Manager.
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Sugar Island is getting an ecological makeover |
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A habitat restoration project is set to begin soon on a small island on the American side of the Detroit River, between Grosse Ile and the Livingstone Channel.
The work is designed to stabilize Sugar Island’s southerly end and enhance fish and wildlife habitat in the surrounding area.
The 29-acre island is part of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge and is one of 14 habitat restoration projects being implemented to offset the loss of fish and wildlife populations and habitats in the Detroit River.
In addition to minimizing the island’s erosion problem, the project will enhance 21 acres of aquatic habitat between new habitat shoals and the island, and provide more than 2,000 feet of new shoreline habitat that currently does not exist in this part of the river.
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Ojibway National Urban Park |
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Following an announcement on August 4th by the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Environment and Climate Change and Minister responsible for Parks Canada, to launch a new program to support the creation of a network of national urban parks, the Honourable Karina Gould, Minister of International Development, joined Drew Dilkens, Mayor of Windsor, in Windsor, Ontario, to announce the signing of another statement of collaboration to explore the potential of a national urban park in the area.
A national urban park in Windsor would be readily accessible to citizens and provide opportunities to connect to, and learn about, local nature and culture. The proposed site for the potential national urban park includes lands within the Ojibway Prairie Complex. Parks Canada and the City of Windsor will also consider the possibilities for including adjacent properties within the boundary for the proposed park.
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2021 Binational Lake St. Clair Virtual Conference |
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The Lake St. Clair conference, held every two years, provides a binational forum to exchange information on Lake St. Clair’s changing environment and the actions and tools needed to manage these changes. The conference is intended for resource managers, local officials, elected representatives, First Nations, business and industry representatives, local residents and others with an interest in the restoration and protection of the Lake St. Clair ecosystem.
This conference, brought to you by Environment and Climate Change Canada, Ontario Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy, offers a valuable opportunity to learn more about Lake St. Clair and helps facilitate collaborative efforts for the implementation of actions.
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National Forest Week - September 19 - 25 |
Each year National Forest Week is celebrated across Canada by many individuals and diverse governmental and non governmental organizations. Canadians are invited to learn more about Canada’s forest heritage and to raise awareness about this valuable and renewable resource. Forests are fundamental to our economy, culture, traditions and history – and to our future. Communities, families and individuals depend on forests for their livelihood and way of life. |
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World Rivers Day - September 26 |
World Rivers Day is a celebration of the world’s waterways. It highlights the many values of our rivers, strives to increase public awareness, and encourages the improved stewardship of all rivers around the world. Rivers in virtually every country face an array of threats, and only through our active involvement can we ensure their health in the years ahead. |
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Save the date for these great local events! Contact the organizers for more information. |
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Self-guided Dark Sky Night
Saturday September 11 2021, evening, Point Pelee National Park, Leamington ON
Explore the park on your own after dark and experience the dark skies of Point Pelee. You will have the opportunity to stay late and see what goes on after dark. Note that there are no formal programs on these evenings. Visitors can pick up a seasonal star chart at the gate upon arrival. The park is open until midnight, unless otherwise stated. For more information contact: pc.pelee.info.pc@canada.ca.
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Hawk Festival
September 18 2021, 9 am to 3 pm, Holiday Beach Conservation Area, 6952 County Road 50, Amherstburg, ON
Join local wildlife, bird and nature experts in celebration of local bird migration on Saturday September 18 at Holiday Beach Conservation Area from 9am to 3pm! Watch thousands of birds of prey flying overhead, experience programs that cover a wide range of birding and nature topics and see hawks and owls up close. A great family event for experts and amateurs alike. Some program fees apply. Learn more.
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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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