April 9, 2009
April
is 'Earth month' and April 22 is Earth Day! Make sure to get outdoors
and partcipate in the many environmental events happening around the
Detroit River AOC! If you can't attend these events, try to make an
environmental change at home. For example, turn off the water when you
brush your teeth and save almost 5,000 gallons of water per year!
Remember, we love to hear from you! Please send your environmental events/news to postmaster@detroitriver.ca. Depending on timing, we can include your event in our newsletter or on our events calendar.
Natalie Green, RAP Coordinator
postmaster@detroitriver.ca
Did you know??
Did you know that the Province of Ontario will officially ban the use of 11 classes of cosmetic pesticides. The ban comes into effect this Earth Day, April 22.
The use of pesticides to control weeds and insects for cosmetic reasons is an unnecessary
risk to our families and pets, especially when a healthier
lawn and garden can be achieved without chemicals.
See the article below on some tips and alternatives to pesticides. Also, visit the Ministry of the Environment's website for more information on the pesticide ban.
Pesticide-free alternatives for a healthy lawn
Go Natural: Pull, Don't Spray!
The key to a "weed-free" lawn is to keep it healthy! It is more harmful
to spray chemicals on your lawn than it is to live with a few
dandelions or insects. Less than 2% of insects are
harmful to humans or crops. The vast majority provide a balance or
services that keep our planet healthy. Beneficial insects such as
ground beetles, ladybugs, fireflies, green lacewings, praying mantids,
spiders, and wasps keep harmful insects from devouring your plants.
They also pollinate plants and decompose organic matter.
If
you only have isolated weeds such as dandelions, consider using a
hand-held weed puller to remove them and avoid any chemical substances altogether.
How Do I Prevent Weed and Insect Problems?
The
best way to eliminate your need for pesticides is to keep your lawn
healthy.
- TOPDRESS your lawn once or twice a year with 5 mm (1/4 inch) of compost, topsoil, or compaost manure.
- OVERSEED any bare spots in spring and fall with hardy grass seed
- MOW HIGH - don't cut grass any shorter than 90 mm (3½ inches) in order to let the grass blades shade weeds and increase lawn thickness.
- WATER LESS - only 25 mm (1 inch) per week is needed to keep your lawn green throughout the summer. Water in the morning to allow the most moisture to be absorbed.
- REPLACE some of your grass with trees, shrubs, perennials, ground cover, and wild flowers. Native plants and flowers are good choices because they are adapted to grow well in our climate and soils without excessive water and fertilizer.
- AERATE compacted soil in spring or fall to improve soil quality.
- MONITOR your yard to catch any problems early when they can be addressed without toxic chemicals.
- CHOOSE plants and grasses that are well-adapted for your soil, temperature range, and sun or shade exposure. Plants and grasses that are native to this area do better without too much assistance.
Unused pesticides or empty pesticide containers should be brought to the Household Chemical Waste Depot for proper disposal. Leftover pesticides should NEVER be dumped down the drain, down toilets, onto the ground, or into sewers. Remember not to spray any chemicals near drains or driveways where they can runoff into our waterways (and polluting our drinking water).
For more information visit:
http://www.healthylawns.net
http://www.organicgardentips.com
http://www.beyondpesticides.org/pesticidefreelawns
http://www.ladybuglawncare.net
CBC News article
Source: DRCC Go Natural: Pull, Don't Spray brochure
Detroit River underwater and shoreline cleanup: volunteers needed!
The Windsor Skin & Scuba Club Inc. (WSSC),
Project Aware, the Essex Region Conservation Authority (ERCA), and the Detroit
River Canadian Cleanup (DRCC) needs your help to target underwater and
shoreline debris at Crystal Bay Conservation Area in the Detroit River. Project
AWARE Foundation coordinates underwater cleanup events and urges divers and
volunteers to jump in their wetsuits, pull on their gloves and make a splash
for trash!
"It's not too late to get involved and you don't have to
be a diver," said Greg Forbis, President of the Windsor Skin & Scuba Club
Inc. "Bring your friends and family along to have fun, make friends, and help
make clean waters a reality."
If you're interested in participating, please RSVP before
April 17th by calling either:
Greg (WSSC) on 519-945-7749
Natalie (DRCC) on
519-982-3722
Caroline (ERCA) on 519-776-5209 ext. 245.
Divers will be
required to bring their diver certification card, all personal dive and safety
gear, and sign an Underwater Liability Release Form. Shoreline volunteers are
also asked to confirm participation in advance by calling one of the contacts
above, and will also be required to sign a liability release form.
MAP/DIRECTIONS
Public input needed for Great Lakes vision
Several ministries have worked together to prepare a discussion paper
to help as
many Ontarians as possible to participate in this engagement process.
In the paper, they have identified five long-term goals for the
Great Lakes and they are seeking public input on the discussion
paper (regarding Ontario's proposed Vision, Goals, and Strategies to help
protect and restore the Great Lakes).
Click here to access the website and provide
comments until May 16, 2009.
If the link does not work, you can search EBR Number 010-6105 on the Ontario website.
State of the Strait: Registration open until April 14th, 2009
The theme of this year's conference is "Ecological
Benefits of Habitat Modification".
Twelve
speakers from the U.S. and Canada will highlight numerous efforts to
rehabilitate and restore habitat in the Detroit River and western Lake Erie.
These projects include building fish spawning reefs, softening shoreline,
restoring wetlands, and rehabilitating wildlife habitats. Presentations will
focus on the ecological responses of habitat
modification across a diverse range of habitat types and will provide knowledge
and lessons for future habitat rehabilitation, restoration, and enhancement
projects throughout the region.
"We
need clear scientific information on what is known and unknown about the
ecological benefits of habitat modification," explains Dr. John Hartig,
International Wildlife Refuge Manager and conference co-chair. "This
information is necessary in order to support an ecosystem approach to management
and to provide compelling rationale for further restoration of the Detroit
River and western Lake Erie."
Almost
97% of the coastal wetland habitat has been destroyed due to centuries of
industrial, urban, and agricultural development in the region. "The loss of
fish and wildlife habitat is still a key environmental issue for the Detroit
River Area of Concern," says Natalie Green, Remedial Action Plan Coordinator
for the Detroit River Canadian Cleanup. "These habitat projects are
instrumental in restoring impaired beneficial uses under the U.S.-Canada Great
Lakes Water Quality Agreement."
Previous
State of the Strait Conferences have explored the status of key
environmental indicators for the Detroit River and western Lake Erie,
monitoring for sound management, and strengthening science-management linkages.
If you are interested in attending the State of the Strait Conference please register by April 14, 2009 by visiting www.stateofthestrait.org or by contacting Ellen Green at 519-253-3000 x4760.
Save the Date...
for these upcoming events
Bears and Other Beasts: Reflections on the Human/Animal Relationship
Thursday, April 9, 2009 - 6 pm
Join the Windsor-Essex County Humane
Society on Thursday, April 9, 2009 at St. Clair College (Room 320) as they host a humane education
presentation featuring an evening of fascinating facts, visual imagery
and celebration with bear expert/author Else Poulsen and wildlife
advocate and author Rob Laidlaw. Tickets can be purchased at the Humane
Society For more information visit www.windsorhumane.org or call Julie at 519.966.5751, ext. 23.
Purchase your tickets in advance:
$8 (adults), $3 (children under 12)
OR at the door:
$10 (adults), $5 (children under 12)
Smogfest Art Exhibition: Call for Submissions
The Citizens Environment Alliance (CEA) invites Windsor - Essex County - Detroit and area artists of all media to create art work that reflects our dismal air quality or other environmental issues for their 8th annual Smogfest Art Exhibition. Final deadline for submissions is April 24, 2009. For more information, please click here.
Deer Hike & Other Animal Clues
Thursday, April 16, 2009 - 6:30 to 8 pm
A fun event for the whole family! Register with the Ojibway Nature Centre early to avoid disappointment. Cost is $6/adult and $5/child. Call 519-966-5852.
Underwater/Shoreline Cleanup
Saturday, April 18, 2009 - 9 am
You don't have to be a diver to come out and help cleanup a part of the Detroit River! The cleanup will take place at Crystal Bay Conservation Area with the help of the Windsor Skin and Scuba Club, Project AWARE, ERCA, and the DRCC. Volunteers are asked to register before April 17th, 2009. See the article above for more details.
Friends of Turkey Creek Naturalized Garden Weeding
April 2009
Last year, the Friends of Turkey Creek in partnership with the Town of LaSalle and the Detroit River Canadian Cleanup, planted and maintained a naturalized garden with native plant species. They conducted regular weed pulling and used environmentally-friendly herbicidal vinegar to control weeds. The garden is ready to bloom again but requires a bit of care first. Plan to join the group and help them take care of the weeds in the naturalized garden to help attract native butterflies and birds. For more information or to join the Friends of Turkey Creek, contact Caroline Biribauer (Friends of Watersheds Coordinator).
Climate Change Luncheon
Friday, April 24th, 2009
Join the Air and Waste Management Association for a lunch presetion on Friday, April 24th at the Fogolar Furlan Club of Windsor (1800 North Service Road, Windsor). Guest speakers include Dr. Samuel Kaharabata (Climate Change Specialist - Dillon Consulting Limited) and Mr. Larry Merritt, Manager (Global Environmental Policy - Ford Motor Company).
Presentations beginning at 12 noon to include a discussion of: Overview of Climate Change Regulation, Emissions Trading Markets, Carbon Credit & Offsets, Industry Initiatives - Agricultural, Wine Industry, Overview of Ford Motor Company Climate, Change Initiatives, Business Impact of Climate Change, and Emission Planning & Strategy.
Cost:
Member = $30
Non-member = $40 (includes a 1-year membership to the local Chapter)
Student = $15
RSVP by contacting Dave Cmar at 948-5000 x3250 OR J.P. Baillargeon at 948-500 x3251
Essex-Windsor Earth Day
Sunday, April 26, 2009 - 10 am to 3 pm
Come out to celebrate Earth Day at Mic Mac Park and Malden Park in Windsor (see map) for a variety of activities including exhibits, presentations, a barbecue, nature crafts, games, and a scavenger hunt!
You can also help the Essex Region Conservation Authority (in partnership with Earth Day Canada and Sunoco Energy Foundation) plant 1,500 trees at Malden Park. Register a "Green Team" and receive a certificate of participation.
This event is sure to be fun for the whole family!
State of the Strait Conference
Tuesday, April 28, 2009 - 8 to 5 pm
Attend the free, one-day conference to learn about benefits to habitat modification. Be sure to register by April 14, 2009. Visit www.stateofthestrait.org
Environmental Job Postings
- Coastal Wetland Monitoring Technician - Enhanced Marsh Monitoring Bay of Quinte Remedial Action Plan
Deadline: April 13, 2009 - Environmental Technician - Bay of Quinte Remedial Action Plan
Deadline: April 13, 2009 - Stream Rehabilitation Technician - Credit Valley Conservation
Deadline: April 13, 2009 - Hydrology Intern - Rideau Valley Conservation Authority
Deadline: April 14, 2009 - Environmenal Health Officer - Department of Health
Deadline: April 14, 2009 - International Intern/Volunteer Coordinator- Jane Goodall Institute (Tanzania)
Deadline: April 15, 2009 - Program Assistant (Outreach) - Credit Valley Conservation
Deadline: April 17, 2009 - Research Data Centre Analyst - Statistics Canada
Deadline: April 17, 2009 - Industry Services Assistant - Canadian Grain Commission
Deadline: N/A
- Least Bittern Research Assistant - Long Point Waterfowl
Deadline: ASAP - Volunteer Opportunities- Nature Conservancy of Canada
Deadline: various
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email: postmaster@detroitriver.ca |