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Go Natural: Pull, Don't Spray Campaign Begins
May 1-13, 2007
The DRCC kicked off its spring Go Natural: Pull, Don't Spray pesticide awareness campaign today with the first of nine give-away events. This project is a partnership with the City of Windsor and Environment Canada, and the goal is to raise awareness about pesticide issues and to get people thinking about alternatives to pesticide use in their own backyards. Six thousand hand-held weed pullers will be given away free of charge to local residents during the first two weeks of May, along with educational materials encouraging them to consider pulling out a few dandelions rather than spraying their yard with chemical pesticides.
This is an important issue for the Detroit River Canadian Cleanup because we know that less than 0.1% of pesticides reach their target pests. That leaves more than 99% of applied pesticides to impact the environment, including our waterways. The 1999 Detroit River Update report stated that organic chemicals, including pesticides, are likely having toxic effects on Detroit River fish. Research by the Canadian Wildlife Service has linked reproductive problems in birds with some commonly-used pesticides, and has found that large bird die-offs can occur even when pesticides are applied responsibly and properly.
Today's give-away event was held at the Real Canadian Superstore in Windsor. An additional eight events are scheduled to take place at locations around the city over the next two weeks. A complete list of give-away dates and locations is available on the DRCC web site.
- Go Natural web site
- Give-away dates and times
Gardener's Social Series
Friday, May 4, 2007
If you've decided to 'go natural', and would like to meet others to share ideas, Project WE (Windsor/Essex) invites you to the first session of their Gardener's Social Series. Learn more about indoor/outdoor organic gardening, natural solutions, rain collection, composting, green rooftops, companion planting, and more. Raw, organic cuisine will be provided by Erleichda. The session will take place on Friday, May 4 starting at 6:30 p.m. It will take place at Erleichda, 131 Elliot Street West, Windsor. Project WE plans to hold these sessions on the first Friday of every month. For more information, call Kris at 519-255- 1444, or email aquaponicsdude@hotmail.com.
Public Tree Planting Event
Saturday, May 5, 2007
The Little River Enhancement Group invites everyone to come out to their final spring tree planting event on Saturday, May 5. The planting will begin at 9:00 a.m., and will end at noon with a bar-b-que. It will take place at the Hayes farm, 4979-9th Concession, Tecumseh. For more information or directions, contact Ian at 519-735-2087, or email inaisbitt@sympatico.ca.
SmogFest 2007
The Citizens Environment Alliance invites you to attend the 2007 SmogFest activities during the month of May. Events include an environmental art show at Milk Coffee Bar, 68 University Avenue West, Windsor throughout the month and environmental film marathons on May 15 and 22, also at Milk. On May 11, world class triathletes Nicole and Wolfgang Guembel will speak about the impact of air quality on their health and careers. The final gasp party takes place on May 25 at Milk Coffee Bar, starting at 7:00 p.m. SmogFest is a month-long educational festival that seeks to bring attention to the region's poor air quality and its impacts on health and environment. For more details about these and other SmogFest events, call the CEA at 519-973-1116.
- Citizens Environment Alliance web site
Seminar: Amazing Roots - Jesuit Pear Trees and the French Presence in the Detroit River Area
Thursday, May 17, 2007
Dr. Marcel Beneteau, Associate Professor at Sudbury University, will be giving a seminar on Thursday, May 17 on the subject of Jesuit Pear Trees and the French Presence in the Detroit River Area. For the past 20 years, Dr. Beneteau has done extensive research on the oral traditions of the Detroit River French community, the oldest continuous European settlement in Ontario. The seminar will begin at 10:20 a.m. at the Harrow Research Centre, 2585 County Road 20, Harrow, in the Conference Room. This seminar is free and open to the public.
Symposium on Double-crested Cormorants
Saturday, May 5, 2007
On Saturday, May 5 a symposium will be held to attempt to sort facts from myths about the impacts of cormorants on the Great Lakes ecosystem. Double- crested cormorants are a native water bird that were once almost extirpated in the Great Lakes area, but have now become very common in some locations. The keynote address will be given by scientist and cormorant researcher Dr. Linda Wires. The symposium will run from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at Metro Hall, 55 John Street, Toronto. Admission is free, but seating is limited and therefore reservations are required. To reserve your space, call 416-285-1744.
Celebrations for Birders
The Hillman Marsh Shore and Songbird Celebration is a two-day celebration of the birds of our area. It is hosted by the Essex Region Conservation Authority, and will take place on May 12 and 13 at the Hillman Marsh Conservation Area, which is minutes from Point Pelee National Park. For more information, contact ERCA at 519-776-5209, ext 308.
The International Wildlife Refuge Alliance and the Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge invite everyone to join in celebrating the very first wildlife observation deck constructed in the refuge and the release of a bird driving tour brochure "Byways to Flyways". This event will take place on Saturday, May 12 from 9:00 - 10:00 a.m. at Humbug Marsh, Michigan. To honour the international support for the Byways to Flyways project, there will also be a celebration at Point Pelee National Park at 1:00 p.m. For more information about these events, contact Janae at 734-692-7611, or email janae_reneaud@fws.gov.
The International Wildlife Refuge Alliance and the Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge invite everyone to join in celebrating the very first wildlife observation deck constructed in the refuge and the release of a bird driving tour brochure "Byways to Flyways". This event will take place on Saturday, May 12 from 9:00 - 10:00 a.m. at Humbug Marsh, Michigan. To honour the international support for the Byways to Flyways project, there will also be a celebration at Point Pelee National Park at 1:00 p.m. For more information about these events, contact Janae at 734-692-7611, or email janae_reneaud@fws.gov.
Native Plant Sale
Saturday, May 5, 2007
If you would like to attract butterflies, hummingbirds and other wildlife to your yard with native flowers, trees and shrubs, be sure to head to the Lanspeary Greenhouse (on Giles Blvd.) for the annual City of Windsor Parks & Rec plant sale. The sale takes place on Saturday, May 5 from 8:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. For more information, call the City at 311.
Excellence in Leadership Dinner
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
Leadership Windsor Essex is presenting their second annual Excellence in Leadership Dinner on Wednesday, May 16. This year's dinner will feature Justin Trudeau, a strong advocate for the environment, education, and youth. The dinner will run from 6:00- 9:30 p.m. at the Caboto Club, Windsor. Tickets are $75 per person, and can be purchased by calling 519- 258-1883, or by emailing jbiamonte@leadershipwindsor-essex.org.
- Leadership Windsor-Essex web site
Environmental Job Postings
Grist online magazine recently published an article entitled "Remaking a Living: Growing the Green Economy" that provides an overview of green career areas experiencing growth right now. A link to the article is below.
The David Suzuki Foundation is seeking a Marine Conservation Planning Specialist. This is a full time contract position until August 31, 2007, with the possibility of extension. It will be based in Vancouver, BC, with a significant amount of travel. Application deadline is May 13.
Project Porchlight is seeking a Regional Campaign Director. This is a full time contract position for one year, with the possibility of extension. It will be based in Calgary, Alberta. Application deadline is May 21.
The Wildlife Conservation Society of Canada is seeking a summer Fisheries Research Assistant. This full-time contract position will run from June to September 2007, and will be based in Thunder Bay, Ontario. Application deadline is May 20.
The Algonquin Eco-Lodge is seeking a chef. This full- time contract position will run from June to October, and will be based in Algonquin Park, Ontario. Application deadline is June 1.
Outward Bound is seeking Camp Counselors to lead their kids' ecoventures. These full-time contract positions will run from July to August 2007, and will be based in Burk's Falls, Ontario.
Friends of Clayoquot Sound is seeking an Ocean- Forest Campaigner. This full-time position will be based in Tofino, BC. Application deadline is May 16.
Turtle Island Recycling is seeking an Environmental Specialist. This full-time position is based in Toronto. Application deadline is May 11.
- Grist article on green careers
- David Suzuki Foundation posting
- Project Porchlight posting
- Fisheries Research Assistant posting
- EcoLodge Chef posting
- Outward Bound posting
- Ocean Forest Campaigner posting
- Turtle Island Recycling posting
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"How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world." Anne Frank, 1929-1945
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