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Welcome!
The DRCC has exciting things to share with you this month - hope your summer was spent outside enjoying nature and learning new things! Check our our September newsletter to read what we've been up to, and have in store.
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North-east tip of Fighting Island
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Introducing the new DR-RAP Assistant!
The DRCC family has grown, and we would like to welcome Gina Pannunzio, as the DR-RAP Assistant! She grew up in Leamington, ON and completed an Honours Degree in Environmental Studies from the University of Windsor. Upon graduating, she moved to the Niagara region to study in the post-graduate Environmental Management and Assessment program at Niagara College, where afterwards she was brought on to work for several years as the Sustainability Engagement Officer. She has also completed the Sustainability Education certificate from Algonquin College, and is now entering her first semester as a Masters of Science in Environmental Practice candidate at Royal Roads University. Feel free to say hello by sending her an e-mail or getting in touch by phone.
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"I am so excited to be part of the DRCC team, and have the opportunity to meet new people who are passionate about the Detroit River. I look forward to meeting you at DRCC events!"
Gina Pannunzio
Detroit River RAP Assistant
Detroit River Canadian Cleanup
Phone:
(519) 776-5209 Ext. 356
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BUI RE-DESIGNATION CELEBRATION!
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MARK YOUR CALENDARS!
The DRCC would like to invite you to our community event on Sunday September 25th 2016 on World Rivers Day to celebrate the re-designation of two Beneficial Use Impairments (BUIs) recognized by the Remedial Action Plan. They include: Beach Closings, and Degradation of Aesthetics.
We are still working on the details, so please keep an eye out for more information on social media, our website and getting in touch with us via
postmaster@detroitriver.ca if you have any questions or plan on attending.
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Calling all shutterbugs! The DRCC is looking to showcase your experience along the Detroit River in our new photo contest! Submit your photos to DRCC to be featured on our website, our social media pages and at the 2016 Detroit River Evening! Prizes will be given out for the best photo for each category below.
Anyone is welcome to submit any number of photos for the following four photo categories:
Category
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Description
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Local Heritage and Culture
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Images will reflect the Detroit River's unique connection to local heritage and culture along the corridor.
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Nature and Wildlife
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Images will reflect different plants and animals who live along the Detroit River, as well as the beautiful landscape we benefit from having it run through our backyard.
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Community in Action
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Images will reflect community engagement, involvement and action along the Detroit River corridor. This can include fun images of people, organizations etc. using the River as a space for their work and activities.
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Recreation
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Images will reflect the community enjoying the river for recreation such as those who ride bikes, walk, kayak, fish and more along the Detroit River.
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Submission Instructions: all photos can be e-mailed to
postmaster@detroitriver.ca or shared on social media using the hashtag #drccphotocontest.
Submission Deadline: all photos must be submitted and/or shared with the DRCC no later than October 14th 2016.
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Recreation Category Example
Boating along the Detroit River taken on the Citizen's Environmental Alliance Boat Tour. Photo taken by DRCC, July 2015
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Community in Action Category Example
Black Oak cleanup crew. Photo taken by DRCC, 2012.
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Local Culture and Heritage Category Example
Ambassador Bridge, Windsor west end view. Photo taken by DRCC, April 2016.
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Nature and Wildlife Category Example
Monarch Butterfly, Photo taken by the DRCC, Summer 2015.
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The DRCC visited the Tree Swallow nesting boxes along the Detroit River, and to our surprise... success! The photo above show an up close view of a successful Tree Swallow nesting season - building the nest, raising the young and maturing into the late summer. At this time of year, flocks are found commonly in trees near wetlands and you can recognize them swooping and dipping across the water when they are searching for insects to eat. They also have blue iridescent backs and white fronts, hard to miss when they fly around your head! Monitoring projects like these help the DRCC to assess the Bird or Animal Deformities or Other Reproductive Problems Beneficial Use Impairment (BUI).
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Brown Bullhead Monitoring
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The DRCC went fishing this month with researchers for Brown Bullhead in the Detroit River to inform the Fish Tumours and other Deformities Beneficial Use Impairment (BUI) under the Remedial Action Plan. Brown Bullhead are common in freshwater lakes and ponds with muddy bottoms and use their barbels (they have eight!) to search for food. They are an indicator species for contaminant effects in the Detroit River Area of Concern as they are bottom feeders and prey on mollusks, insects, leeches, crayfish, worms and other aquatic insects who start their life cycle in the sediments of water bodies.
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White Breasted Nuthatch
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Special Volunteer Feature
The DRCC would like to recognize Betty Learmouth and her incredible contribution to citizen science monitoring with Bird Studies Canada and their Great Lakes Marsh Monitoring Program. Her first survey was in 1995, and she has not missed a single one since! In her data set, she provided 993 bird species records (spanning across 21 years) and provided information on 61 unique bird species. Between 1995 and 2016, she contributed over 1,000 records on birds such as Spotted Sandpiper, Northern Flicker, Common Yellowthroat and more.
The DRCC wanted to say thank you to Betty for contributing such fantastic information on Windsor area marshes, and appreciate all of the time she took to survey!
For more information about Bird Studies Canada and their monitoring program, visit
here.
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Extra! Extra! Read all about it!
The Detroit River in the news. Here are some links to articles that may pique your interest. Click the link to read on.
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Upcoming Events
Save the date for these great local events! Contact the organizer for more information.
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FRIENDS OF THE DETROIT RIVER FALL DINNER CRUISE
September 8, 2016: 6:00pm-9:00pm
Rivard Plaza, Detroit, MI
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One of the major social events of the Friends of the Detroit River year is the Fall Dinner Cruise. Attendees are treated to a wonderful dinner as they cruise the river and learn about river issues and projects. Cruise includes catered dinner, live entertainment, and of course a Detroit River tour! Price: $50.00 each or $90.00 per couple.
Contact Information
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FESTIVAL OF HAWKS
September 10, 11, 17, 18, 2016: 9:00am-3:00pm
Holiday Beach Conservation Area
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See migrating hawks with Holiday Beach Migration Observatory's experts on the tower. Hold and release a hawk or songbird at the HBMO adopt-a-hawk programs throughout the day. See live hawks and owls up close, and visit
erca.org/birding for the schedule of talks and walks. Shop for native plants, binoculars and more, make a nature crafts at this top hawk watching site in Canada. And don't forget to stop by the Essex County Field Naturalists' Blue Kestrel Cafe, open September 10th or 11th.
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SCIENCE SATURDAY
September 10, 2016
Belle Isle Aquarium, 300 River Place Drive, Detroit MI
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Allow our guest speakers to lead you on an interesting science journey at Science Saturday! Hear speakers from universities and organizations from around Michigan and Canada give 20-minute presentations on a special topic during this dynamic lecture series. Lectures are held at noon, 1:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. Come learn something new! For more information, please e-mail
info@belleisleconservancy.org or click
here to view past presentations.
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GARDEN PARTY ON BELLE ISLE
September 13, 2016
Anna Scripps Whitcomb Conservatory Gardens, 700 Inselruhe Avenue, Detroit MI
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Organized by leaders of the Grosse Pointe area's garden club communities, the Garden Party raises funds for various projects that specifically benefit the Anna Scripps Whitcomb Conservatory. Held in a beautiful tent on the grounds of the Conservatory, the evening features cocktails, hors d'oeuvres, entertainment and networking with supporters of the botanical wonders the Conservatory houses. For more information, please contact Danielle Jackson at
info@belleisleconservancy.org.
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ESSEX COUNTY FIELD NATURALISTS' MEETING
September 14, 2016
Ojibway Nature Centre, 5200 Machette Road, Windsor
Why Building and Maintaining Purple Martin Populations in Ontario is so Important
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Since 2005, the number of purple martins in Ontario has dropped from about 25,000 to an estimated 15,000 today. Similar declines have been recorded across Eastern Canada and the American northeast. What is killing Ontario's purple martins? How can we help stop this decline? John Balga (Ontario Purple Martin Association) will give a brief description of the species and point out some possible causes for this decline and give you tips to attract and manage this species in your backyard. Light refreshments to follow.
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STEWARDSHIP SATURDAY
September 17, 2016
Belle Isle Aquarium, 300 River Place Drive, Detroit, MI
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Join the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and Belle Isle Conservancy for stewardship Saturdays. Summer projects will include cutting invasive, non-native shrubs and stump treating them with herbicide to restore the wet mesic flatwoods. Meet at the Belle Isle Nature Zoo parking lot.
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Education and Public Involvement Workgroup and Public Advisory Council Meeting
September 21, 2016: 4:30pm - 6:30pm
Ojibway Nature Centre, 5200 Matchette Road, Windsor, ON
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We'll be meeting in the Ojibway Nature Centre Prairie Room. If you are planning on attending please RSVP as soon as possible by sending an e-mail to pannunzio@detroitriver.ca.
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CANADA SOUTH COAST BIKE TOUR
September 24, 2016: 9:00am-4:00pm
Starts at various locations throughout the Essex region
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Windsor-Essex Cycles! Participate in a 15km/32km or 70k ride on the Greenway or tour the region and stop at some of our Conservation Areas on the 58km or 110km road routes. The Canada South Coast Bike Tour incorporates all the last sights of summer, whether you are touring through picturesque country roads and along historic County Road 50, or meandering the off-road nature ride along the Greenway, this event is not to be missed. All funds raised will be used to construct local trail systems! For more information visit
erca.org/active or register
here.
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BUI RE-DESIGNATION CELEBRATION
September 25, 2016: 10:00am-2:00pm
McKee Park, Windsor, ON
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HARVEST AND HORSES FESTIVAL
October 2, 2016:noon-4:00pm
John R. Park Homestead, 915 County Road 50, Harrow, ON
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Join us as we celebrate the fall harvest season on the farm. Ghost stories in the attic, corn husk crafts, cider and sausage making, seed saving and more. Meet the types of horses that made harvest possible 200 years ago! Pay at the door. $6/adult, $4/adult, $20 family maximum. More details at
erca.org/jrph
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Job Postings
These postings are for jobs at various locations with varying deadlines. Please click on the job title to view job details. Contact the listed agency in the job ad for more information.
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The DRCC initiative 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 main goal is to remove the River from the list of Great Lakes Areas of Concern.
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