On the first Earth Day in 1970, 25 million people joined together to demand a safer, cleaner and healthier world. You can help to keep this tradition alive by participating in some of the many local events in honour of Earth Day 2007. See below for all the details:
Earth Day Windsor-Essex County Celebration
Sunday, April 22, 2007
The 18th annual Earth Day Windsor-Essex County celebration will take place on Sunday, April 22. There will be some changes this year, including the start time and location. Events will now run from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., and the main activity venue will be MicMac Park. This will allow you to take a short walk to the tree planting site at Malden Park, rather than having to take a bus as in previous years. Events include expanded environmental workshops, exhibits, crafts for kids, guest speakers, as well as an Earth Day brunch and bike tours (weather permitting).
The DRCC and the Windsor Essex County Environment Committee will be handing out free low- flow showerheads and faucet aerators to the first 400 individuals who visit our exhibit and fill our a short survey (one per family).
MicMac Park is located on Matchette Road, and can be accessed from E.C. Row or Prince Road. Parking is available. For more information about all of the day's activities, call 519-966-5852.
On your way to the Earth Day celebrations, consider stopping by any Starbucks cafe for a free brewed coffee if you bring in your own reusable travel mug. Reusing your own mug all the time is a great way to save trees (especially if you drink a lot of coffee!).
- Earth Day Windsor-Essex County web site
- Global Earth Day web site
Earth Day Weekend Clean-ups and Tree Planting
Saturday, April 21 and Sunday, April 22, 2007
The Friends of Turkey Creek invite you to a community tree planting on Saturday, April 21 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Shawnee Park in Windsor. Shawnee Park is on Colbourne Drive, west of Jefferson and north of E.C. Row. A bar-b-que lunch will be provided for participants. For more information, contact Caroline at 519-776-5209, ext 245 or email cbiribauer@erca.org. Trees for this event were provided by Environment Canada through the DRCC Outreach Committee.
The Little River Enhancement Group invites you to their 31st cleanup crusade in the Little River watershed on Saturday, April 21 from 9:00 a.m. to noon. Volunteers should meet near the Lil' Reg trailer in the public park in the Little River Meadows subdivision on Hawthorne Street (just off Lauzon Road, south of Tecumseh Road and north of Forest Glade Drive). For more information, call Ian at 519- 735-2087.
The Windsor Skin and Scuba Club invites divers and non-divers to help with a clean up dive at Brighton Beach in Windsor on Sunday, April 22 from 9:00 a.m. to noon. This area has long been a major dumping site, and therefore both the shoreline waterfront and the land will be cleaned up. Divers with their own gear are invited to help with the in-water clean-up and non-divers are welcomed to provide surface support. Everyone is asked to bring rope if possible, to help with hauling large objects out of the water. To get to Brighton Beach, take Broadway (which is the first street west of Ojibway Parkway) off E.C. Row. Follow Broadway to Wright Street and turn left, proceed one block to Water Street where you will turn left and see signs for the clean up. For more information, contact Greg at 519-945-7749.
The Friends of the Detroit River welcome boaters and non-boaters to their annual spring clean up of the shores and small islands in the lower Detroit River on Saturday, April 21 from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Volunteers should meet at the Trenton Rotary Park, Michigan, at the foot of Harrison Street, just off West Jefferson. The orientation meeting begins at 9:00. If you don't have a boat, you will be matched with a boater or may provide on-shore support. Anyone with extra lifejackets is asked to bring them. There is a boat launch available at the Park which may be used for boats on trailers. A picnic lunch will be provided for all who participate. If you need more information, or if you are planning to bring your boat to this event, please call Bob at 734-676-4626.
- Friends of Turkey Creek web site
-
Little River Enhancement Group web site
-
Windsor Skin and Scuba Club web site
-
Friends of the Detroit River web site
Little River Enhancement Group Post-Earth Day Tree Plantings
Join Lil' Reg on Tuesday, April 24 from 9:00 to noon to help plant trees at Millennium Park in Tecumseh. Parents and students from A.V. Graham Public School will be leading this planting.
On Saturday, April 28, Lil' Reg will be working with the City of Windsor to plant trees and shrubs at East Riverside Park and Blue Heron Hill in Windsor. Planting will begin at 9:00 and run until noon. Trees for this event were provided by Environment Canada through the DRCC Outreach Committee. For more details about either of these plantings contact Ian at 519-735-2087.
- Little River Enhancement Group web site
See "Sharkwater" In Theatres for a Limited Time
until Friday, April 20, 2007
For filmmaker Rob Stewart, exploring sharks began as an underwater adventure. What it turned into was a beautiful and dangerous journey into the balance of life on earth. This movie debunks historical stereotypes and media depictions of sharks as bloodthirsty, man-eating monsters and reveals the reality of sharks as pillars in the evolution of the seas. Gorgeously filmed using HD technology, wildlife photographer and biologist Stewart takes the viewer below the surface of the world's oceans to reveal its beauty and to dispute the reputation of one of man's most feared animals.
Stewart spent more than four years diving with sharks, documenting their dwindling numbers at the hands of illegal fishermen. Their fins are used in shark-fin soup, a high-priced Asian delicacy, and the animals are often still alive when de-finned and tossed back into the sea to die. This is a truly powerful film and a must-see for anyone concerned with the plight of the oceans. Sharkwater is playing at Silvercity theatre in Windsor at 6:50 and 9:20 p.m. The movie is scheduled to close on Thursday.
- Sharkwater Movie web site
-
Windsor Movie Listings web site
Nominations Sought for Source Water Protection Project Chair
Thursday, March 29, 2007
The Essex Region Source Protection Planning Project is seeking expressions of interest and/or nominations for the position of Chair of the Source Protection Planning Committee. Under the Clean Water Act, the Ontario Minister of the Environment will appoint the Chair after considering recommendations from the local Source Protection Authority. Visit the web site for more information (click the "Protecting Our Water" link). Candidates for the position of Chair must express an interest in writing by 4:00 p.m. on Friday, May 4, 2007. Nominations should be sent to Stan Taylor at staylor@erca.org. For more information call 519- 776-5209, ext 354.
- Source Protection Planning web site
Public Consultation: Bridge Environmental Assessment
The Ambassador Bridge is proposing to construct a 6- lane, cable-stayed bridge over the Detroit River, just west of the existing Ambassador Bridge. No supporting structures (piers and towers) will be placed in the Detroit River under this plan.
Public workshops on the proposed project are scheduled for:
- Tuesday, April 17 at 6:30pm, St. Francis Elementary School, 477 Detroit Street, Windsor, Ontario
- Wednesday, April 18 at 6:30pm, Caboto Club, 2175 Parent Avenue, Windsor, Ontario
- Thursday, April 19 at 6:30pm, Essex High School Gymnasium, 244 Talbot Street North, Essex, Ontario
For more information contact Leigh at 1-866-807- 5113, or email lwhyte@acp-on.ca.
Public Comments Sought: Detroit River Water Taking
Deadline - May 4, 2007
Honeywell ASC Inc. in Amherstburg is currently seeking a permit to take water from the Detroit River for the purpose of industrial cooling. The request is for a 5-year permit to take a maximum volume of 28,500,000 litres per day. This proposal is posted on the Environmental Registry for public review and comment. All comments must be submitted by May 4, and will be considered as part of the Ministry of the Environment's decision-making process. Please visit the web site for more information or to submit a comment.
- Environmental Registry web site
Mow Down Pollution - Lawnmower Retirement Event
April 19-29, 2007
Using a standard gas lawnmower for one hour emits the same amount of common air pollutants as driving a car for almost 600 kms! If you have a standard 2- stroke gas lawnmower or trimmer, bring it into any Home Depot location between April 19 and 29 and you will receive an up to $100 rebate on the purchase of a push-reel, electric, or low-emission lawnmower or trimmer. Even if you don't need a new mower, you can recycle your old one during this event free of charge. Rebates are also available for other eco- friendly options during this time period.
Canada Ontario Agreement Information Session
Monday, April 23, 2007
Environment Canada and the Ontario Ministry of the Environment recently negotiated a draft renewal of the Canada-Ontario Agreement Respecting the Great Lakes Basin Ecosystem (COA). The current 5-year agreement expired in March 2007. The draft Agreement is on the Environmental Registry and the Canada Gazette, and a local information session will be held on Monday, April 23 from 8:30 a.m. to noon at Willistead Manor, 1899 Niagara Street, Windsor. Teleconferencing is available if you are unable to attend the session in person. Registration is required; to register, contact Paul at 416-314-7595 or email paul.tripodo@ontario.ca.
- Canada Ontario Agreement online
Volunteers Needed for DRCC Events
The DRCC is kicking off our "Go Natural: Pull, Don't Spray" pesticide awareness campaign on May 1. We need volunteers who are interested in helping to distribute hand-held weed pullers at various give- away locations. Please see the web site for details of the dates and locations of events. Volunteers are asked to commit to either the early shift (9:30 a.m. - noon) or the late shift (noon - 2:30 p.m.) of an event. Volunteers are not required to have extensive knowledge about pesticides or alternatives, but we ask that you review the web site prior to your shift to ensure that you are able to answer basic questions. If you are interested in volunteering, please email Melanie at coulter@detroitriver.ca .
Environmental Job Postings
The Essex Region Conservation Authority (ERCA) currently has three summer positions open for applicants from 15 to 24 years of age. ERCA is seeking an Environmental Assistant, a Community Relations Assistant, and an Assistant Water Resources Technician. Application deadline is April 25.
The Lower Thames Valley Conservation Authority is seeking a Conservation Education Technician. This full-time position is based in Chatham. Application deadline is April 20.
The International Association for Great Lakes Research (IAGLR) is seeking an Executive Director. This full-time position is based in Port Huron, Michigan. Application deadline is April 27.
The Grasslands Conservation Council of BC is seeking a GIS Analyst. This full-time position is based in Kamloops, BC. Application deadline is April 23.
The Sierra Club of Canada is seeking an Atlantic Canada Chapter Director. This full-time position is based in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Application deadline is April 23.
The Going Organic Network of Alberta is seeking an individual or organization interested in developing a Power Point project for the network. Applicants do not have to reside in Alberta, as the work can be done virtually. Application deadline is April 22.
Ontario Nature is seeking a Greenway Program Manager. This full-time position is based in Toronto. Application deadline is April 20.
The Sierra Youth Coalition is seeking a National Director, as well as several other Coordinator positions. The full-time, 2-year contract Director position is based in Ottawa. Ideal candidates will be under the age of 30. Application deadline is April 23.
The Sierra Club of Canada is seeking applicants to fill several summer positions. Applicants must be between the ages of 15 and 30 years. Application deadline is April 21.
- ERCA Environmental Assistant posting
- ERCA Community Relations Assistant posting
- ERCA Water Resources Technician posting
- Lower Thames CA posting
- IAGLR posting
- Grasslands Conservation Council posting
- Sierra Club Atlantic Chapter posting
- Going Organic posting
- Ontario Nature posting
- Sierra Youth postings
- Sierra Club Summer Job postings
|
"To help heal the Earth, you need only pause for a moment, look deep into yourself, and ask, 'What's the right thing to do?' And then do it." Denis Hayes, National Coordinator of the first Earth Day
email: postmaster@detroitriver.ca |