January 22, 2009
Happy 2009!
We're
already looking forward to many great events this year including the
State of the Strait conference (see below) and the annual Peche Island
Day. Stay tuned to our newsletters for more information on Detroit
River events and activities.
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 Detroit River Canadian Cleanup is currently working on completing the Detroit River Canadian Stage 2 Remedial Action Plan (RAP)? The RAP or 'cleanup plan' proceeds in three stages. The main component of the Stage 2 document is a description of remedial actions and options. The document will be open for public comment later this year. For more information about the Detroit River RAP, please visit our website.
Boundary Waters Treaty celebrates 100 years of shared water protection!
Sunday, January 11, 2009,
marked the 100th anniversary of the signing of the Canada-US Boundary Waters
Treaty, the world's first environmental agreement. The Treaty,
which created the International Joint Commission, provides a framework for the
management and protection of shared water resources along the Canada-US
border. The binational Niagara region marked the Centennial anniversary of the Treaty with the launch of a new
website www.oursharedwaters.com
dedicated to informing visitors and residents alike about the cross-border
celebrations being planned throughout 2009 to recognize this milestone
treaty. "This summer we will celebrate the 100th anniversary of the world's first environmental agreement, the Boundary Waters Treaty," stated Congresswoman Louise M. Slaughter, Honorary Chair of the Boundary Waters Treaty Centennial Committee. "To this day, this historic accord remains a model of binational governance and a guide for two countries working to protect their shared natural resources for future generations."
To commemorate this Centennial, Niagara municipalities have designated 2009, "The Year of our Shared Waters" and June 5-14, 2009 as Boundary Waters Week. During the week in June, communities along the Niagara River and the Boundary Waters Treaty Centennial Committee (BWT100 Celebration Committee) will host a series of water-themed conferences, festivals, exhibits and events featuring distinguished environmental speakers and dignitaries. Highlights include a special ceremony on the Rainbow Bridge at Niagara Falls on Saturday, June 13. "Municipalities along the Niagara are pleased to honour this treaty by seeking new ways to protect, preserve and celebrate 'our shared waters," stated Mayor Ted Salci, Mayor of Niagara Falls, Ontario and Honourary Chair of the BWT100 Committee.
Information on the signing of the treaty and the Boundary Waters Treaty Centennial (BWT100) Committee can be found on the new Niagara website. This interactive website offers up-to-date event information planned for Boundary Waters Week, as well as other water-focused environmental projects taking place on both sides of the border throughout 2009. In addition, the website provides background information on the treaty and highlight the long-standing collaboration between the United States and Canada in their joint stewardship of trans-boundary natural resources. Furthermore, the website provides direct links to the International Joint Commission (IJC) www.ijc.org/bwt100 as well as other governmental and non-governmental environmental links.
Local groups are encouraged to post their water-themed artistic, cultural, sports, educational or recreational activities on the BWT100 Committee website by accessing the "OurSharedWaters" website and completing the Event Application form. For additional information, please contact: info@oursharedwaters.com.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, CONTACT:
BWT100 Committee:
c/o Charles G. Cole, American Consulate General Toronto, 360 University Avenue, Toronto, Ontario M5G 1S4; Phone: (416) 595-1721; Fax: (416) 595-5250; ColeCG@state.gov
c/o Kerry Mitchell, Consulate General of Canada, 3000 HSBC Center, Buffalo, New York 14203; Phone: (716) 858-9581; Fax: (716) 852-4340; kerry.mitchell@international.gc.ca
Registration for the 2009 State of the Strait Conference opens soon!
April 28, 2009
University of Windsor, CAW Centre, Windsor, Ontario
Registration for the 2009 State of the Strait Conference opens Friday, January 23, 2009. The State of the Strait is a bi-national
(Canada-United States) collaboration that hosts a 1-day conference every two years
to bring together government managers, researchers, students, environmental and
conservation organizations, and concerned citizens. The theme for the 2009 conference is "Ecological Benefits of Habitat
Modification".
Registration is FREE but make sure to register soon because space is limited! For more
information about the State of the Strait conference including registration and
location details, please visit www.stateofthestrait.org. We hope to see you there!
Save the Date...
for these upcoming events
Winter Hike - Friends of Canard River
Sunday, January 25, 2009 - 1pm
Join
the 'Friends of Canard River' on a Winter Hike on January 25, 2009 at 1
pm. Park and meet at the cemetery on Texas Road in Amherstburg. Weather
permitting.
Winter Excusion
Sunday, February 1, 2009
Join Essex County Field Naturalists Club member,
Paul Desjardins, for their annual Winter Waterfowl Excursion along the
shores of the Detroit River. Paul always checks out the location of
ducks and swans prior to the trip to ensure the
best viewing places. Meet in the Ojibway Nature Centre parking lot at
1:30 pm.
Source Water Protection: Tour of the Albert Weeks Water Treatment Plant
Saturday, February 7, 2009 - 10 am to 3 pm
Join the Citizens Environment Alliance for a free tour of the Albert
Weeks Water Treatment Plant. Everyone is welcome. Please RSVP by phone
519-973-1116 or email ceaadmin@cogeco.net by February 4, 2009.
For more information visit http://www.citizensenvironmentalliance.org/
Shiver on the River!
Saturday, February 7, 2009 - 10 am to 3 pm
A
free event at the Belle Isle Casino. There are indoor and outdoor
activities planned for a lot of fun for the whole family! Also, keep
mercury out of the environment by bringing in an old mercury
thermometer and getting a digital thermometer free. Click here to download the flyer for more information.
Ojibway Winter Festival
Sunday, February 15, 2009 - 12 to 4 pm
Don't miss this exciting event on Family Day weekend! Outdoor scavenger
hunt, snow sculptures, creature features, Cabin Fever hike (1 pm),
environmental exhibits and activities the whole family will enjoy. Free Admission.
Winter Event at the Wildlife Refuge
Various dates in Winter 2009
- January 31: Morning Eagle Observation - a free event to view eagles and other birds taking advantage of open water due to warm water discharge. Pre-registration is required 734-692-7649.
- February 13-16: 12th Annual Backyard Bird Count - Count birds in your backyard and tally the results online at www.birdcount.org
- March 29: Bird Walk - Join Greg Norwood, refuge technician, on a walk at the Humbug Marsh Unit to see Rusty blackbirds during their peak migration.
A Gala for the Garden of Rarities
Thursday, February 26, 2009 - 7 pm
The
Ojibway Prairie hosts more rare species than any provincial park. More
than 91 species at risk live here. It is the most endangered ecosystem
in Canada. Currently, there is a big box development that threatens
this jewel. Please join them to help raise the necessary funds to
fight this proposal and welcome the New Year with a refreshed
commitment to our environment. The evening will be filled with music,
delicious appetizers, a complimentary drink as you enter and many great
finds at our silent auction. Dress is casual. Contact
Nancy Pancheshan at 519-978-3590 for more information.
State of the Strait
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
This 1-day, binational conference at the University of Windsor will feature presentations unique
to the Detroit River and the western Lake Erie basin that each represent
measured ecological responses of habitat restoration/modification across a
diverse range of habitat types and taxa. Each presentation will certainly provide
knowledge and lessons for future habitat rehabilitation, restoration, and
enhancement projects throughout the region. Registration is free and opens on January 23, 2009. Visit www.stateofthestrait.org for more information.
Environmental Job Postings
- Aquatic Field Coordinator - Alberta Biodiversity Monitoring Institute
Deadline: Open until position filled
- Licensed Bird Bander - Toronto & Region Conservation
Deadline: January 26, 2009
- Agri-Environmental Specialist - Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada
Various positions
Deadline: January 29, 2009
- Forestry Operations Technician - Grand River Conservation Authority
Deadline: January 28, 2009
- Senior Agri-Environmental Specialist - Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada
Various positions
Deadline: January 29, 2009
- Agri-Environmental Lead - Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada
Various positions
Deadline: January 29, 2009
- Summer Field Technician- Alberta Biodiversity Monitoring Institute
Deadline: January 31, 2009
- Chief Scientist - Ministry of Northern Development and Mines (Sudbury)
Deadline: February 6, 2009
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email: postmaster@detroitriver.ca |