February 22, 2010
I
would like to welcome all of our new readers. It's been a pleasure
meeting you at various events and invited presentations. To both our
new and past readers, I appreciate your enthusiasm and interest in the
Detroit River and enjoy obtaining your input and ideas on the Remedial
Action Plan process. Keep up the great work.
Remember, we love to hear from you! Please email
your environmental events/news or newsletter suggestions. 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??
....that land use within the Canadian side of the Detroit River watershed (including the Canadian islands) is approximately 64% agriculture/unclassified, 29% developed, and only 7% woodlands and wetlands. The loss of fish and wildlife habitat is one of the reasons that the Detroit River is listed as an Area of Concern.Based on 2002 and 2005-2009 data from the Southern Ontario Land Resource Information System and the Essex Region Conservation Authority.
5th Binational Lake St. Clair Conference
Tree Planting Grants Available
Amending the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement
In a February 18th media release and January 26th letter, the Citizens Environment Alliance and other environmental organizations have expressed their concerns over the re-negotiation of the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement (GLWQA). You can read their letter and media release by clicking on the following links:
Background:The GLWQA, first signed in 1972, demonstrates the commitment of both countries to addressing pollution in their shared Great Lakes. The Agreement's last revision took place in 1987.
In June 2009, the governments of Canada and the United States annouced their intent to re-negotiate the GLWQA.
On January 14, 2010, Environment Canada and the United States Environmental Protection Agency held a binational 'webinar' for Great Lakes partners, stakeholders and the public. The purpose of the 'webinar' was to inform everyone of the process for negotiations between the governments of the United States and Canada to amend the GLWQA. The webinar also provided an opportunity for questions and answers.
If you missed the 'webinar', you can download related information at www.binational.net
Save the Date...
for these upcoming events
Detroit River Public Advisory Council Meeting
Wednesday, March 3, 2010 - 5:30 pm
Windsor Airport Community Room
Contact postmaster@detroitriver.ca for more information and to RSVP.
Canada South Land Trust Annual General Meeting
Thursday, March 4, 2010 - 7:30 pm
You are invited to the Canada South Land Trust's Annual General Meeting to be held Thursday,
March 4, 2010 at 7:30 p.m. in Room E of the Essex Civic Building (360 Fairview Avenue West, Essex, Ontario). Guest speaker will be Phil Roberts speak on Ojibway Shores the last area of natural shoreline within the City of Windsor on the Detroit River. Plan to attend to be updated on Land Trust activities. Refreshments will be served. Call 519-944-0825 for further information or email: bettlear@mnsi.net
Naturally Superior Slideshow
Friday, March 5, 2010 - 7pm
Windsor Essex County Canoe Club is proud to present David Wells of Naturally Superior Adventure who will be presenting a slide show at Lilly Kazzily's Crabshack & Grill (9550 Riverside Drive) on canoeing and kayaking opportunities near his Rock Island Lodge Base at the mouth of the Michipicoten River on Lake Superior. Everyone is welcome; however, there is limited seating and if you want to attend the slideshow please send an RSVP to Rick Lalonde otter_b_padllin@yahoo.ca
Now House - Open House
Saturday, March 6, 10am - 12pm
Visit a 60-year-old post-war bungalow that has been taught to pay its own energy bills. Take home some ideas of how to green your home-from spray foam insulation and energy-saving appliances to tankless water heaters and solar energy. Be sure to bring the kids so they can test their Watt IQ in the electricity room. See display panels that illustrate every step of the energy retrofit and the five differenct approaches. Watch a movie from the 1940s showing how wartime houses were built. For more information, please visit www.nowhouseproject.
Naturalized Landscape Course
Windsor - Monday March 8th, 7 pm - 9pm
Amherstburg - Tuesday March 9th, 7 pm - 9 pm
Leamington - Wednesday March 10th, 7 pm - 9 pm
The Naturalized Habitat Network is now accepting registrations for their next edition of the Naturalized Landscape Course, which begins in March 2010. Recently awarded the 2009 Conservation Award from the Essex Region Conservation Authority, this six part course presents the best of traditional landscape concepts for planning, design and construction. In addition, it offers practical advice on using native plants, attracting wildlife and creating a landscape that is suited to your needs. All levels of landscaping experience are welcome, from beginners to advanced. The cost of registration to $50, tax exempt.
Each course is offered on a weekly basis, over a six week basis. All classes begin at 7:00 PM and typically last about 2 hours. This year, the course is offered at three locations:
- Beginning Monday, March 8 (Windsor): Real Canadian Superstore on Walker Road, near Division.
- Beginning Tuesday, March 9 (Amherstburg): Malden Community Center
- Beginning Wednesday, March 10 (Leamington): Pelee Days Inn in the Executive Room.
Most classes are limited to an average size of 18 people, depending on their size. To register or find out more, call 519-259-2407!
Be Green Beer Tasting - U.S. Friends of the Detroit River
Saturday, March 13, 7:30 pm
The U.S. Friends of the Detroit River are hosting a Be Green Beer Tasting Event at the Detroit Beer Company (1529 Broadway, Detroit, Michigan). Cost is $15 (USD) for members, $25 (USD) for non-members, and $30 including an annual membership. Contact Tricia at the Friends of the Detroit River for more information or to RSVP: triciaFDR@yahoo.com or 734-675-0141.
Earth Friendly Fair
Thursday, March 25, 6 pm - 9 pm
This interesting and environmentally educational evening will be taking place again this year at the Lakeside Park Pavillion, in Kingsville. Contact Caroline Biribauer, Friends of Watersheds Organizer, at the Essex Region Conservation Authority for more information: 519-776-5209, ext. 245 OR cbiribauer@erca.org.
Thrilling Thursdays at Ojibway Nature Centre
Family Owl Prowl
Thursday, March 25, 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm
$6/adult, $5/child
Family Deer Hike & Other Animal Clues
Thursday, April 15, 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm
$6/adult, $5/child
Family Pond Scooping with Frogs & Turtles
Thursday, May 20, 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm
$6/adult, $5/child
Visit http://www.ojibway.ca/events.htm for more information on this event.
Guest Speaker - Citizens Environment Alliance Annual General Meeting
Tuesday, March 30, 2010 - 7 pm
Join the Citizens Environment Alliance (CEA) for a presentation by Dr. Ken Drouillard of the Great Lakes Institute for Environmental Research. The presentation will take place at the WFCU Main Branch (2800 Tecumseh Road East, Windsor, Ontario). Please contact the CEA for more information: 519-973-1116 or ceaadmin@cogeco.net.
Canada South Land Trust's Second Annual Dinner
Friday, April 9, 2010
Enjoy a delicious dinner in the Marconi Room of the Caboto Club.
Tickets are $35. A silent auction will be a part of the evening's
activities. The guest speaker will be Dr. Oliver Love, Assistant
Professor, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Windsor.
Dr. Love has entitled his talk as 'Unappreciated invaders: what
European starlings can teach us about maternal stress'. Call Betty at
519-944-0825 for more information.
Enviro Expo
April 15 - 18, 2010
Location: Caesars Windsor Convention Centre (map)
Visit www.enviro-expo.org for more information on this event being hosted by the Essex Region Conservation Foundation.
Environmental Job Postings
(note: the links will expire after the deadline closes.)- Planning Ecologist - Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources
Deadline: March 2, 2010 - Biologist Intern - Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources
Deadline: March 8, 2010 - Research Officer - Ontario Ministry of Research and Innovation
Deadline: March 8, 2010 - Fishery Management Program Associate- Great Lakes Fishery Commission
Deadline: March 19, 2010
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email: postmaster@detroitriver.ca |