Greetings Melanie,
Although the busy spring tree planting and clean-up season is winding down, there is still a wide variety of environmentally-related activities taking place. See below for all the details:
Essex County Stewardship Network's Environmental Day
Saturday, June 23, 2007
The Essex County Stewardship Network is hosting its second annual Environmental Day on Saturday, June 23 from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. The theme of this year's event is "A Convenient Truth", and everyone is encouraged to come out and learn the convenient truth about our local environment, farmlands, and food supply. There will be displays by local environmental organizations, tours of restoration project sites, and guest speakers (including foxsnake researchers and Phil Roberts - CBC Radio Windsor's Nature Guy). The event will take place at the Sanson Estate Winery, 9238 Walker Road, just south of McGregor. Admission is free and all are welcome. For more information, call 519-354-4437 or email brett.groves@ontario.ca.
- Essex County Stewardship Network web site
Turkey Creek Canoe Race and Clean-up
Saturday, June 23, 2007
The Friends of Turkey Creek are hosting their fifth annual Turkey Creek Canoe Race and Clean-up. Participants will launch at Vince Marcotte Park in LaSalle, and will have two hours to collect as much garbage as they can from the creek. Prizes will be awarded to teams with the most interesting piece of garbage, the most garbage, and the best decorated canoe. Those with their own canoes are encouraged to bring them (equipped with all required safety devices); there will be a limited number of canoes available on a first come, first serve basis. A free lunch will be provided to all participants.
Registration begins at noon at the footbridge at Vince Marcotte Park, and the race starts at 1:00. The cost is $10 per person, or $20 per team. For more information call 519-776-5209, ext 245, or email cbiribauer@erca.org.
- Friends of Watersheds web site
Enjoy the Detroit River from Both Sides Now
For years, residents of Windsor have been very proud of our riverfront, which welcomes visitors from all over the world. Now, thanks to the efforts of the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy and many others, the Detroit riverfront is also a wonderful destination. The formal opening of the RiverWalk takes place today, but people have already been enjoying the new attractions between the tunnel and Belle Isle. Rivard Plaza is the largest of four planned plaza nodes along the RiverWalk. It features a magical Great Lakes-themed carousel, a water jet fountain and pool, as well as granite and glass maps of the Detroit River and the entire St. Lawrence Seaway from Lake St. Clair to the Atlantic Ocean. The area is very safe and secure, and there is even wireless internet service for those who would like to enjoy the river while staying connected.
Detroit International River Days will be celebrated along the US riverfront from June 22 to 27. Events will include the Parade of Lights along the river at 10:00 p.m. on June 23; tours on the Lake Guardian (an EPA research boat) at Rivard Plaza on June 24 and 25; tours of the Boblo boat Ste. Claire at Tricentennial State Park from June 22 to November 9; helicopter rides for $35 USD per person at Rivard Plaza on June 22-24; and much more.
On the Canadian side of the river, Windsor will be celebrating Summer Fest from June 19 to July 1. Special activities include the 31st annual Windsor Detroit Tug Boat Race at 1:00 on June 23, and Canada Day celebrations on July 1.
Of course, you can view the spectacular fireworks display over the river from either side on Wednesday, June 27 starting just after 10:00 p.m. If you're planning to be on the Canadian side, the Windsor Bicycling Committee encourages you to ride your bike to the fireworks. Free bicycle parking will be available at Charles Clark Square from 6:00 p.m. until midnight. The lot will be patrolled for security, but you are required to bring your own lock. For more details, visit the web site or call 311.
- Detroit Riverfront Conservancy web site
- Detroit River Days web site
- Windsor Summerfest web site
- Bike to the Firework web site
Volunteers Still Needed for Peche Island Day
Saturday, July 7, 2007
Peche Island Day will be taking place on Saturday, July 7. As with last year, donated boats will be bringing people back and forth between Lakeview Park Marina in Windsor and Peche Island. A number of volunteers are needed to help make this event a success. We need people to welcome visitors, help them onto boats and shore, lead tours, make and sell food, and provide direction as people are waiting. Most of these positions will require you to be there from 9:30 to 3:00. To make sure that volunteers won't miss out on a chance to tour the island themselves, we will be holding a volunteer orientation event on the evening of Wednesday, July 4. This will give us a chance to train you on your volunteer task, and will also give you the opportunity to explore the island for yourself. Volunteers will be provided with a t-shirt and lunch on the day of the event. If you would like to volunteer, please email Melanie at coulter@detroitriver.ca. Please include your contact information and the type of task you are interested in if you have a preference.
- Peche Island Day information
Report a Litterbug
Have you ever seen someone throw garbage from their car and wished there was something you could do about it? Well, there is. Contact Windsor's litter hotline and provide the license plate number and a description of the vehicle, a description of the litterbug, details about what was littered or dumped, and your name and phone number. The offender will be contacted by mail informing them that they were spotted littering and reminded that charges can be laid. Repeat offenders will be visited by a provincial officer. To contact the litter hotline, call 311 or the 24- hour line at 519-974-1010, ext BUG (284), or email litterhotline@city.windsor.on.ca.
Comments Invited on the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement Review
Deadline July 14, 2007
The Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement has been an important part of international Great Lakes management for the past 35 years. Provisions of the agreement are what gave rise to the Detroit River Remedial Action Plan (and the DRCC!). The governments of Canada and the US are required to periodically review the operation and effectiveness of the Agreement, and the 2007 review is the first major review of the Agreement in nearly 20 years. A draft report has been published, and a public comment period is now taking place which will continue until July 14. All comments will be considered by the Agreement Review Committee as it finalizes its review and submits a final report this fall. A copy of the draft review report, as well as details about how to submit comments, is available on the web site.
Great Lakes Photo Contest
Deadline July 2, 2007
Amateur and professional photographers are invited by Great Lakes Forever and Budweiser to submit their photos of the Great Lakes. First place finishers in each category will receive a specially designed bicycle, and the top two winning photos will be featured on Budweiser beer coasters with Great Lakes awareness messages. The deadline for submitting photos is July 2. Visit the web site for contest rules and details about how to submit your photograph.
- Great Lakes Forever web site
Nominations Sought for Source Water Protection Project Chair
Deadline June 29, 2007
The Essex Region Source Protection Planning Project is seeking expressions of interest 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 (Conservation Authority board). Visit the web site for more information (click the "Conserving Our Water" link). Candidates for the position of Chair must express an interest in writing by 4:00 p.m. on Friday, June 29, 2007. Nominations should be sent to Stan Taylor at staylor@erca.org. For more information call 519- 776-5209, ext 354.
- Source Protection Committee web site
Environmental Job Postings
Evergreen is seeking a Program Manager for the Learning Grounds program. This full-time position is based in Toronto. Application deadline is July 6.
The Hamilton Conservation Authority is seeking an Assistant Ecologist. This 1-year contract position is based in Hamilton. Application deadline is June 28.
The Canadian Environmental Network is seeking an Office and Events Administrator. You must be fully bilingual to be considered. This full-time position is based in Ottawa. Application deadline is July 11.
Earth Day Canada is seeking a Program Coordinator for the Toyota Earth Day Scholarship Program. This full-time position is based in Toronto. Application deadline is July 3.
Greenpeace Canada is seeking an Oceans Campaign Coordinator. This full-time position is based in Vancouver. Application deadline is July 3.
The Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority is seeking an Environmental Project Coordinator. This 18-month contract position is based in Newmarket. Application deadline is July 6.
- Evergreen posting
- Hamilton Conservation Authority posting
- Canadian Environmental Network posting
- Earth Day Canada posting
- Greenpeace posting
- Lake Simcoe CA posting
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"Conservation is ethically sound. It is rooted in our love of the land, our respect for the rights of others, our devotion to the rule of law." Lyndon Baines Johnson, 36th President of the United States, 1908-1973
email: postmaster@detroitriver.ca |