The DRCC would like to extend our sincere appreciation to everyone who helped make Peche Island Day 2007 such a wonderful event. We couldn't have done it without our dedicated volunteers, our patient boat drivers (and the organizations that sponsored them), and of course, without all of the people who decided to attend. We're already looking forward to next year, and hope that if you missed out this year you'll decide to join us next summer!
Can I Drink the Water?
One of the most common questions people ask when they visit the DRCC display at public events is "Is it safe to drink my tap water?". Our response is that all indications are that our local tap water is safe. In fact, water coming from the Windsor water treatment plant receives ozone treatment, which is state-of-the-art in North America. A 2006 report by the DRCC's Monitoring and Research Work Group found no evidence of problems with disease-causing organisms or toxic substances in treated drinking water from the Windsor water treatment facility.
If you think that bottled water is safer, it's important to know that 25-30% of it comes straight from municipal tap water systems, despite the pretty nature scenes on the bottles that imply otherwise. Dasani (bottled by Coke) and Aquafina (bottled by Pepsi) are simply filtered water taken from the Calgary, Brampton, Mississauga, Vancouver, or Detroit municipal drinking water systems.
Bottled water also has an environmental cost. Setting aside the waste involved in packing and transporting them, all those plastic bottles really pile up. A recent study from California found that there is six times more plastic in the world's oceans than plankton. Another study found that plastic beverage bottles are the 11th most common type of plastic found in the oceans.
If your tap water has a bit of a chlorine taste that turns you off, try filling a pitcher of tap water, stirring it a bit, and then letting it sit for a few minutes uncovered. A lot of the chlorine will dissipate. And if you're really sensitive, stir it and put it in the fridge overnight. By morning there should be no trace of chlorine.
Friends of the Detroit River Dinner Cruise
Thursday, September 6, 2007
The Friends of the Detroit River will be hosting their annual dinner cruise on the Detroit River on Thursday, September 6. The boat will leave at 6:00 p.m. from Bishop Park in Wyandotte, Michigan and return at 9:00 p.m. This is always a fun event, and proceeds go to support the work of the FDR. Tickets are $50 USD each, or two for $90. Visit the web site for information on ordering tickets, or call 734-675-0141 for more details
- Friends of the Detroit River web site
Singing Insects Identification Workshop
Thursday, August 16, 2007
The Ojibway Nature Centre will be hosting a workshop to teach visitors to identify the brilliant songsters of the insect world. Nets, equipment, and handouts will be provided. The workshop will take place on Thursday, August 16 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Ojibway Nature Centre, 5200 Matchette Road. This session is free and open to everyone. For more information call Ojibway at 519-966-5852.
- Ojibway Nature Centre web site
Register for the TD Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup
You are invited to join Canadians from coast to coast this September as they clean up rivers, lakes, streams, and ocean shores during the 2007 TD Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup. Organized for 14 years by the Vancouver Aquarium, the GCSC takes place across Canada during the third week of September.
Getting involved is easy - just pick a location, select a date and time for your cleanup, and register with the organizers. They will provide free supplies, instructions, and educational materials to make organizing a cleanup as easy as possible. For more information or to register visit the web site or call 1- 877-427-2422.
If you live in Windsor, you can also register for the fall Rose City Clean Sweep to be part of local efforts to clean up our area. Supplies and support will be provided for local events registered with the Clean Sweep. Registration information is available on the Clean City Committee web site.
- TD Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup web site
- Clean City Committee web site
Call for Nominations - Source Protection Committee
Nominations are currently being sought for membership on the Essex Region Source Protection Committee. The Committee will develop a Source Protection Plan to protect municipal sources of drinking water in the region. There is a five-year commitment to participate in approximately 1-2 meetings per month. To be considered, candidates must describe their interest in writing accompanied by their resume by 4:00 p.m. on Friday, September 28. Additional information, as well as expression of interest forms, are available on the web site under the Conserving Our Water link. For additional information, contact Stan at 519-776-5209, ext 354, or email staylor@erca.org.
- Source Water Protection web site
Woodlot Management Workshop
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
The Ontario Forestry Association and the Trees Ontario Foundation are presenting a free woodlot management workshop at the Rudy H Brown Rural Development Centre on the Ridgetown Campus of the University of Guelph in Ridgetown on Wednesday, August 22 from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. This workshop, hosted by Stewardship Kent, will teach landowners with over 10 acres of forest about how to apply for property tax relief of up to 75%, how to set objectives for your property, prepare a forest stewardship plan, and identify local resources to help you achieve your management goals. Contact 1-800-387-0790 or email info@oforest.on.ca for more information.
- Ontario Forestry Association web site
- Stewardship Kent web site
Seeking Student Volunteers
Canada South Science City is seeking assistance to move some large exhibits from the second to first floor. The moving dates are August 16-22, and students seeking to complete their 40 hours of community service are welcome. If you are interested, go to the main desk at the centre and indicate that you are volunteering for the exhibit moves. Canada South Science City is located at 930 Marion Avenue in Windsor. For more information, phone 519-973-3667.
The City of Windsor Mayor's Youth Advisory Committee is looking for a cross section of youth based on geography, grade level and gender to represent the youth of the city on the Committee. Applications must be completed by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, August 17. Additional information and the application form are available on the web site.
- Canada South Science City web site
- Mayor's Youth Advisory Committee web site
Boater Involvement Workshop
Thursday, August 9, 2007
The Friends of the Detroit River and the International Wildlife Refuge are hosting a workshop for boaters about their stake in water quality and the prevention of invasive species. Ed Sharp of the Detroit News will be hosting the session, which will take place on Thursday, August 9 from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. at the Grosse Ile Centennial Farm. Call 734-675-0141 for more information.
- Evergreen posting
- Canada Green Building Council posting
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"We never know the worth of water till the well is dry." Thomas Fuller, "Gnomologia", 1732
email: postmaster@detroitriver.ca |