September is a time for renewal, and there is no shortage of opportunities to renew your commitment to our environment. See below for a variety of events that are taking place in the next few weeks.
Marsh Monitoring Volunteers Sought
Bird Studies Canada's Marsh Monitoring Program (MMP) is seeking local champions to help protect Detroit River-area marshes. These individuals will act as volunteer MMP regional coordinators for local MMP volunteer participants. MMP volunteers use their skills and enthusiasm to annually monitor marsh bird and amphibian populations in local wetlands. Their data, collected by Bird Studies Canada, are used by government agencies and other organizations to direct wetland conservation initiatives. Dedicated MMP regional coordinators are needed to help promote the MMP in their communities, recruit and train local volunteers, and provide them one-on-one survey support when needed. MMP regional coordinators work closely with MMP staff to carry out their tasks. For more information about this important and rewarding opportunity, and for an application form, please contact Ryan Archer, MMP Assistant Coordinator, at 1- 888-448-2473 ext. 235, or email rarcher@bsc-eoc.org. Visit the web site for more information about the Marsh Monitoring Program.
- Marsh Monitoring Program web site
Join the Rose City Clean Sweep
September 16-30, 2007
The City of Windsor Clean City Committee and Starbucks Coffee Canada are launching the fall 2007 Rose City Clean Sweep on Thursday, September 20 (rain date Friday, September 21). Join this kick-off event at 10:00 a.m. at the Lanspeary Park Grandstand. Volunteers are welcome to come on your own or with a team. If you plan to bring a team please, let them know in advance.
If you can't make the kick-off but would still like to participate, you can select an area to clean and organize a clean-up between September 16 and 30. All supplies will be provided, along with pick-up of the materials that you collect. To register a clean-up or for more information please contact Janice at cleancity@city.windsor.on.ca, or call 519-974- 1010, ext 231.
- Clean City Committee web site
- Starbucks Plant Green Game Online
Paddle By Your Refuge
Sunday, September 16, 2007
Experience the natural beauty and rich history of Elizabeth Park and the Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge at the 3rd Annual "Paddle By Your Refuge" kayaking event. Paddle around Michigan's oldest county park to pristine Humbug Marsh and Island. Learn about kayaking and the amazing natural resources and wildlife of the Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge. An interpreter from Huron-Clinton Metroparks will also be on hand at Humbug Marsh to give you an in-depth introduction to this beautiful natural area. "Paddle By Your Refuge" features both kayak instruction on the tranquil waters of the Elizabeth Park canal and intermediate tours along the Detroit River to Humbug Marsh and Island.
"Paddle By Your Refuge" takes place on Sunday, September 16, 2007 at Elizabeth Park in Trenton, Michigan from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Visit the web site for additional event details.
A few volunteers are still needed for this event. If you are interested in helping out please contact Anita Twardesky at anita@riversi dekayak.com.
- Paddle By Your Refuge web site
- Volunteer Information
Festival of Hawks
September 21-23, 2007
With a new format beginning this year, the annual Festival of Hawks will take place from September 21 to 23 at Holiday Beach Conservation Area and Point Pelee National Park. From 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. daily you can see hawks migrate by the thousands, participate in nature migration hikes and bring the kids to enjoy nature crafts. Participate in bird-in-the-hand demonstrations, tag monarch butterflies, and learn about the dragonfly migration. Experts will be on hand to help you learn more about bird identification, wildlife migration and much more! Please note that on the morning of Sunday, September 23, Point Pelee National Park will only be open to road racers for the annual "Get to the Point" run.
New for this year is also the "Birding Odyssey"! On Saturday, September 22, for just $10 per person or $20 for a group of up to seven people, you can enjoy this 'amazing race' style birding adventure across the County. While you do need transportation, you don't have to be an expert birder to enjoy this nature event!
If you are planning to make this a multi-day event, a joint birding pass will provide admission to both locations. For any three consecutive days until Canadian Thanksgiving, the joint fall birding pass is available for just $25.80 per person or $46.60 per family/group. For more information about the Hawk Festival call 1-888-487-4760.
- ERCA web site
- Point Pelee web site
Naturalize Your Backyard
The Naturalized Habitat Network will host their annual Native Plant Sale on Saturday, September 15 at Ridgeview Park in Cottam. At this unique one-day event, some of our area's best local growers will come together to offer a great selection of native trees, shrubs and wildflowers. There will be some great end-of-season deals on your favourite native plants. Ridgeview Park is located off Fox Street, just north of Talbot (#34) and west of County Road 27. This event will take place in the picnic shelter, rain or shine.
If you would like some guidance on your naturalization project, consider the Naturalized Landscape Course. This unique adult evening course provides an ideal venue for anyone who wants to learn more about our region's numerous species of native trees, shrubs, vines, wildflowers and wetland plants. This course also provides an overview of the best of traditional landscape concepts with practical ideas on attracting wildlife and other environmentally sustainable concepts. The next session will begin on Wednesday, September 26 at Colasanti's in Ruthven. All classes are taught on Wednesday evening and begin at 7:00 p.m. and typically last about two hours. The cost for registration is $50. To register, call 519-259-2407.
- Naturalized Habitat Network web site
"Total Denial" Film Screening
Sunday, September 16, 2007
The Citizens Environment Alliance is hosting its first outdoor film screening on Sunday, September 16 at 7:30 PM. This screening is part of a worldwide effort - initiated by EarthRights International - to host the film "Total Denial" in 100 locations worldwide on the same night. The film documents human rights abuses in Burma and the lawsuit that brought the indigenous Karen people up against the giant corporations Unocal and Total. Hot refreshments will be served. There is limited seating, so plan to arrive early and be sure to bring a lawn chair. The screening will take place in the CEA's back garden (1950 Ottawa St). After the film there will be an opportunity to speak with the film-makers via conference call to answer any questions arising from the film.
- Total Denial Film web site
- Citizens Environment Alliance web site
Project Porchlight Needs Volunteers
Project Porchlight is now in Windsor. Volunteers are being sought to distribute free compact fluorescent light bulbs to households across the city. They plan to distribute 70,000 bulbs, but you only need to commit to one to four hours of door-to-door deliveries. Compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) use less energy, so they result in less carbon emission. To volunteer, or for more information, call 613-232-5892.
You may have heard that CFLs contain mercury, which is a problem in the environment (including the Detroit River). However, the amount of mercury in the bulbs is very small, and is more than offset by the reduction in mercury emissions from power plants resulting from the lower amount of energy they require. In order to eliminate any possibility of the mercury entering our environment, CFLs should be disposed of properly at the Household Chemical Waste Depot. The Depot is located at 3450 North Service Rd. East, near E.C. Row Expressway and Central Avenue. There is no charge to drop off CFLs at the Depot.
- Project Porchlight web site
- Household Chemical Waste Depot web site
- Mercury and the Detroit River Information
All Candidates Debates
The CAW Windsor Regional Environment Council, the Canadian Detroit RiverKeepers and the Windsor Cancer Prevention Coalition will be hosting a series of all candidates debates. Candidates in the upcoming Provincial election have been invited to attend to answer questions about their stand on issues that are important to the citizens of Windsor and Essex County. The Windsor-West debate will take place at the College Avenue Community Centre, 3325 College Avenue, on Tuesday, September 25 from 7:00-8:30 p.m. The Windsor-Tecumseh debate will take place at the Forest Glade Arena Auditorium, 3205 Forest Glade Drive, on Wednesday, September 26 from 7:00-8:30 p.m. The Essex debate will take place at the Belle River Royal Canadian Legion Hall, 504 Notre Dame, Belle River, on Friday, September 28 from 7:00- 8:30 p.m.
All Candidates Debates
The CAW Windsor Regional Environment Council, the Canadian Detroit RiverKeepers and the Windsor Cancer Prevention Coalition will be hosting a series of all candidates debates. Candidates in the upcoming Provincial election have been invited to attend to answer questions about their stand on issues that are important to the citizens of Windsor and Essex County. The Windsor-West debate will take place at the College Avenue Community Centre, 3325 College Avenue, on Tuesday, September 25 from 7:00-8:30 p.m. The Windsor-Tecumseh debate will take place at the Forest Glade Arena Auditorium, 3205 Forest Glade Drive, on Wednesday, September 26 from 7:00-8:30 p.m. The Essex debate will take place at the Belle River Royal Canadian Legion Hall, 504 Notre Dame, Belle River, on Friday, September 28 from 7:00- 8:30 p.m.
Essex County Air Quality Symposium
Thursday, September 27, 2007
The Windsor Essex County Environment Committee with support from Health Canada and Environment Canada is hosting the third Windsor Essex County Air Quality Symposium, focusing on air quality and human health in the Windsor and Detroit Region. The Symposium will take place on Thursday, September 27, 2007 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Mackenzie Hall, 3277 Sandwich Street, Windsor.
Confirmed presenters (to date) include keynote Speaker Dr. Catherine J. Karr (Washington/British Columbia Border AQ Strategy), Amanda Wheeler (air quality monitoring programs), and Robert Dales (presenting outcomes of student surveys). For more information or to RSVP, contact Ron at 519-326-8789, or by email at wecec@elliottenergy.ca. RSVPs are required as soon as possible.
Do you know where your coffee comes from?
The beans that gave flavour to your morning cup of joe may have been illegally grown inside one of the world's most important national parks for tigers, elephants and rhinos--Bukit Barisan Selatan National Park in Indonesia. A recent WWF report revealed that illegally grown coffee is mixed with legally grown coffee beans and sold to major companies in the U.S. and abroad. Most of the companies buying the coffee likely were unaware of its illegal origins.
The most eco-friendly option is to look for organic, shade-grown coffee. Shade-grown coffee is better for birds because larger trees are allowed to remain in place while the coffee trees are grown below the canopy, rather than the existing trees being cut down for a coffee plantation. Fortunately, there are many places locally that sell eco-friendly coffee. Two of note are Ten Thousand Villages, 3225 Sandwich Street, Windsor, and Far Flung Foods at the Windsor Market (a portion of the sale of each bag at Far Flung Foods goes to support the Citizens Environment Alliance). Both locations sell fairly-traded, organic, shade-grown coffee beans.
- WWF Coffee Report
- FAQs about shade-grown coffee
Environmental Job Postings
Evergreen is seeking a Web Developer/ Programer. This full-time position based in Toronto. Application deadline is September 28.
Greenpeace USA is seeking an Organizing Term Coordinator. This full time position is based in San Francisco, California. Application deadline is October 10.
The Bonnechere River Watershed Project is seeking a Project Coordinator. This full-time position is based in the Renfrew, Ontario area. Application deadline is September 27.
The Hamilton Conservation Authority is seeking a Water Resources Technician. This 12-month contract position is based in Ancaster, Ontario. Application deadline is September 24.
Ecojustice Canada (formerly the Sierra Legal Defence Fund) is seeking a Senior Lawyer. This full-time position is based in Toronto. Application deadline is September 21. They are also seeking a contract Legal Researcher based in Vancouver.
- Evergreen posting
- Greenpeace posting
- Bonnechere River Project posting
- Hamilton Conservation Authority position
- Ecojustice postings
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"The activist is not the man who says the river is dirty. The activist is the man who cleans up the river." Ross Perot, 1930-
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