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The DRCC Newsletter
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June 5, 2009 (updated)

This week is Environment Week (until June 7)! However, we can all make simple changes in our lives to improve our environment everyday. For example, turn off your computer when you're not using it, buy locally grown food, or plant a native tree species. Every little bit counts! Visit Environment Canada's website for more information and great tips. 

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


The DRCC is a community-based partnership between government, industry, academics, as well as environmental and community organizations that work collectively in helping to improve the health of the Detroit River. Our key goal is to implement the Canadian Remedial Action Plan (RAP) in order to restore the beneficial uses and remove the River from the list of Great Lakes Areas of Concern.

Did you know??

...that watering your lawn accounts for as much as 50% of your home water use?

Practice water conservation by watering your lawn in early morning or late evening (when less water will evoporate), set your sprinkler to water your lawn (not the driveway or street), or build/purchase a rain barrel and use this water for plants, lawn and garden (make sure it has a cover to prevent mosquito breeding).

Sturgeon have recently spawned in the Detroit River!

LaSalle - Lake sturgeon have spawned four times on the reef constructed last October at the head of Fighting Island in the Detroit River! This is the first time in 30 years that spawning by lake sturgeon, a threatened species in both Michigan and Ontario, has been confirmed in the Canadian waters of the Detroit River. The new spawning reef, constructed at Fighting Island in October, 2008, was celebrated as the first Canada-U.S.funded fish habitat restoration project in the Great Lakes. The strong partnership between our nations and the dedication of everyone involved in protecting our shared natural resources made this project a reality.
All volunteers
The fact that lake sturgeon, an indicator of ecosystem health, are utilizing the reef, provides scientific evidence that this restoration project was a success and further validates the binational pollution prevention and control efforts implemented through the water quality agreements crafted in the early 1970s (e.g., the U.S.-Canada Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement).

The lake sturgeon population in the Detroit River is estimated to be about 1% of its former abundance. Over the past century, fish populations in the Detroit River have been greatly reduced by channelization, loss of coastal wetlands, filling/armoring of shorelines, water pollution, and dredging of the limestone bedrock that served as spawning habitat for lake sturgeon and other native fish species. Scientists determined, based on three previous reef projects undertaken in both Canadian and U.S. waters, that they could build new spawning habitat using various types of materials, such as broken limestone rock, to enhance reproduction of lake sturgeon and other fish. The finding of fertilized lake sturgeon eggs at Fighting Island indicates that this restoration strategy is yielding very positive ecosystem results, and that this small, remnant population of native lake sturgeon may one day be restored to a higher level of abundance in the Detroit River.

Walleye and lake whitefish have also spawned on the reef, demonstrating that the constructed spawning habitat is enhancing populations of these high-value fish as well! Other exciting news at the Fighting Island reef was the discovery of several Northern madtom, a fish that is endangered in Michigan and Ontario and never before confirmed in the mid-reaches of the Detroit
River. Northern madtom were also discovered on the spawning reef constructed at Belle Isle in 2004, indicating that this type of habitat restoration is of value for sustaining threatened and endangered native fish populations. It is critical that scientists continue to monitor the reef for at least 2 years to document use of the spawning habitat by other valuable native fish.

The construction of the lake sturgeon spawning reef at Fighting Island exemplifies the spirit of binational collaboration, partnership and stewardship of our shared resources. The success of this fish habitat restoration strategy will strengthen and improve the fishery in the Detroit River, the Huron-Erie Corridor, and ultimately the entire Great Lakes!

Partners work together to improve Turkey Creek 

Windsor - Politicians, residents, and partners joined on May 21, 2009 for an event celebrating the successful excavation and removal of contaminated sediment and bank soil at Turkey Creek.

The remediation project removed approximately 975 cubic meters of contaminated sediments and bank soil from the creek. An additional 10,425 cubic meters of sediments and soils were removed that should reduce flooding risks for residential, industrial and commercial areas. Work on the project ran from August to November 2008. Project partners included Environment Canada, Ontario's Ministry of the Environment, the City of Windsor, the Essex Region Conservation Authority, and community and local industry representatives.
 
Turkey Creek is a tributary of the Detroit River Area of Concern under the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement. Remediation of this area will not only address the contamination that has been biologically available to aquatic life and has contributed to the fish advisories found within the Detroit River but will also prevent the movement of these contaminants downstream. This project is a significant contribution to the restoration of water quality and environmental health in the Detroit River AOC. The total cost for the project (from all partners) was $2.65 million. 













Public Advisory Councils Meet in Sarnia


 Sarnia, Ontario - They came to Sarnia from Detroit, Windsor, and Sault St. Marie to discuss both their accomplishmens and their remaining challenges fro delisting their respective Areas of Concern (AOCs). A group of concerned citizens, industry representatives, environmental groups and First Nations who have been working tirelessly for over 20 years to improve the environmental health of the Detroit, St. Mary's, and St. Clair Rivers. Collectively these individuals are known as Public Advisory Councils. Organized in the late 1980s as a result of scientific and environmental studies by the International Joint Commission (IJC), that identified these waterways as three of the original 43 Great Lakes AOCs. The PACs have been studying and addressing issues such as restrictions on fish consumption, restrictions on drinking water, sediment contamination, and loss of fish and wildlife habitat. PAC members have noticed positive progress of ther year but they take no bows for they are all too aware of the challenges that remain.




"We recognize that the PAC's role is in two directions', said John Jackson, Program Director, Great Lakes United. "The PACs advise government agencies in cleanup efforts, acting as a kind of watchdog.  We also advise the public on work that is being done and work that we consider necessary to be done. We need the general public to be involved, to help bring pressure to bear to ensure that the cleanup is successful."




Indeed, much of their time in Sarnia on Friday, May 29th was spent discussing ways to speed up remediation efforts on the three binational AOCs and commit more resources to help the PACs involve the broader public in the clean-up process.




"Political will to get the work completed will only come to bear if the public understands these issues facing our waterways and lobby their elected officials to take action," said Darrell Randell, President of Friends of the St. Clair River and a St. Clair Township municipal representative on the St. Clair River Binational Public Advisory Council. "We are pleased to host this meeting here in Sarnia to provide a collective voice to call on governments at all levels to allocate the resources we need to get the work done."




 




DRCC PAC






 If you are interested in getting involved with the Detroit River Canadian PAC, please visit the 

DRCC website or email postmaster@detroitriver.ca to find out when/where the next meeting will take place.




 



















Save the Date...

for these upcoming events





















Smogfest - Citizens Environment Alliance

Entire month of May










The show was a great
success. The CEA thanks all participating artists. All unsold art will be
returned to the artists and winning bidders will be contacted the first week of
June. For more information, contact the Citizens
Environment Alliance. 






Spring Excursion - Essex County Field Naturalists Club (ECFNC)

Sunday, June 7, 2009 



Join ECFNC member, Gerry
Waldron, at 2 pm for a walk through the
Canard Valley (Petite Cote) Conservation Area (less than a km from the
bridge on the left hand side of the road). Bring bug repellent because
it could be wet and muddy. Directions: from Windsor head south on Howard Avenue of
Walker Road toward McGregor. From Howard Ave turn left onto County Rd
10 (Middle Sideroad ) at Fox Glen Golf Club; the next road is Conc. 8 -
turn right. The Conservation Area is less than one km on the left hand
side, just before the bridge. The driveway is on a bit of an angle and
leads to a low lying parking lot. From Walker Road, near the south end
of McGregor, turn right on County Rd. 10 (Middle Sideroad) and left at
the next road - Conc. 8. Meet at 2:00 pm.






Cedar Creek Canoe Excursion

Saturday, June 13, 2009 - 9 am to noon



Come out and explore Cedar Creek by canoe, then enjoy a
delicious potluck lunch afterward with the
Friends of Cedar, Mill, and Wigle Creeks. Camp Cedarwin is located just west off Arner
Town Line, south of County Road 20, in Essex. A limited number of canoes and life jackets will be available on a first
come, first served basis. If you plan to
bring your own canoe, please remember to bring your own life jacket, bailer,
line, and whistle.



This event is free and will go on rain or shine. Participants must bring a dish for the
potluck lunch, plus their own plates, cups, and cutlery. For more information, contact Caroline, Friends
of Watersheds Organizer at 519-776-5209, ext. 245.
















Detroit River Days

June 19-21, 2009



Visit http://www.detroitriverdays.com/index.html for
information about the 2009 Detroit River Days happening along the RiverWalk in
Detroit, Michigan.




Detroit River Heritage Adventure

June 19-20, 2009




The Windsor Essex Canoe Club invite you to a Detroit River Heritage Adventure. Paddlers must have all mandatory safety equipment to paddle with this group. You shuttle yourself and your boat. 



To register: contact Art Roth at arthur.roth@sympatico.ca (or phone 519-948-4065 if necessary).

Reservations for the tenting, Montreal Canoe and the BBQ are limited and are made on a first come first served basis.



CHOOSE YOUR DISTANCE and SCENERY for PADDLING  

Stop 26, 2pm, Friday, June 20 OR   

Kayak Cove 2:15 ,Friday (to Chewitt is 2hrs) OR

Chewitt Park 5pm Friday (to Camp Swampy is 2 hours)  OR

Camp Swampy, LaSalle, 8am, Saturday, June 20 (to paddler's cove is 2hrs) OR

Paddlers Cove, Amherstburg (Texas Road) 11:00am (to Bob Lo is approx 1.5 hrs)

 

WECCC  BBQ and campfire at Camp Swampy   

Reserve a ‘burg,  salad and soft drink  @$5.    8pm to---?  Bring a lawnchair.    

 

OVERNIGHT TENTING BY THE RIVER

For members only on a private,reserved site (20 tent capacity )  Bring your own breakfast. Camp stove supplied. Secure food storage. 

 

MONTREAL CANOE ECO TOUR of the river with commentary by Natalie Green of the Detroit River Canadian Cleanup

open to members and registered non members

launch at Chewitt Park 5pm, Friday (min 8 paddlers) paddle  to Camp Swampy, 2 hours

launch at Camp Swampy 8am Saturday  paddle to Paddler's Cove , 2 hours

launch at Paddler's Cove Amherstburg (at Texas Road) 11am, Sat  paddle to Bob Lo Island (1-2 hours) max 16 paddlers



Enjoy the beach and island and buy lunch at the  " boblo BEACH HOUSE AND GRILLE " 

Note:*kayakers are welcome to paddle alongside the Montreal Canoe to hear the commentary about remedial plans for the river. Some kayakers will opt to end their trip at Bob Lo and leave from there via their own shuttle arrangements. Some will opt to continue in the Montreal Canoe to Crystal Bay, Hidden  Lake (possibly a swim) and back to Paddlers Cove.

 

WITNESS THE GRAND OPENING OF PADDLER'S COVE  created for you, the river paddler, by the Town of Amherstburg. 

10:30 am -watch for the direction signs at Texas Road.  

Parking onsite and nearby  

                        






Environment Day and Summer Solstice Celebration

Saturday, June 20, 2009 - 12 noon to 4 pm



Join the Essex County Stewardship Network and Sanson Estate Winery as they celebrate Summer Solstice 2009. Come sample local food and wine and
tour the natural features at Sanson. Meet "ecosystem experts" and learn
about programs to help you improve the environment. Gather under the
tent with friends and family for a memorable day in the outdoors.
Contact Brett Groves at 519-354-4437 or Maureen Jack for details at 519-726-9609. 






7th Annual Turkey Creek Canoe Race & Cleanup

Sunday, June 27, 2009 - noon to 4 pm

 

Registration begins at noon, and the race starts at 1
pm sharp!  All are welcome, including
corporate teams! Cost to enter the race is $10 per person, or $20 per
team.  All proceeds will go towards
future stewardship efforts of the Friends of Turkey Creek. A free barbecue lunch will be available for
all participants.

 

At 1 pm sharp, participants will launch at the
footbridge in Vince Marcotte Park in LaSalle, in either direction, and will
collect garbage as they paddle out. Paddlers have two hours to collect as much
garbage as they can. At 3 pm,
paddlers will return to the starting point, at which point their haul will be
unloaded. Each team will be judged for
the most garbage, the most unusual piece of garbage removed from the creek, and
the best-decorated canoe. Prizes will be awarded accordingly. The winning team will also have their picture
taken with our Turkey Creek Canoe Race trophy!  


 

If you have a canoe, or other non-motorized watercraft,
please bring it!  Each participant must
have a personal flotation device (life jacket), and each canoe must be equipped
with a bailer and a throw bag with line & whistle.  A limited number of canoes and associated
gear will be available on a first come, first serve basis. Gloves & garbage bags will also be
provided for the cleanup (sponsored in part by the DRCC). For more
information, contact Caroline, Friends of Watersheds Organizer, at
519-776-5209, ext. 245.





Friends of Woodslee - Nature Photo Challenge

until June 24, 2009



The
Friends of Woodslee are looking for rare, unique and fantastic photos
depicting nature in Lakeshore, ON. Photos must be taken between
February and June 2009. To enter, pick up your starter kit at the
Woodslee Mini Mart. Judging date is July 1, 2009 (Canada Day)












International Wildlife
Refuge Alliance 4th Annual Benefit Dinner

Saturday, June 27,
2009 (evening)



Join the International
Wildlife Refuge Alliance (IWRA) for their 4th Annual Detroit River Benefit
Dinner Summer BBQ in the refuge. 



VIP Reception: 5:30 pm - 6:30 pm 

Silent Auction: 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm 

Dinner/Cash Bar: 7:15 pm 

Awards and Live Auction followed by Live Music (Monroe's Big Band and Dancing):
8:15 pm 



Dinner costs: 

VIP Reception ($100 US per person)

includes dinner, attendance at special reception before dinner featuring
Michigan food and wine, and photo opportunity with Congressman John Dingell and
others.



Dinner only: $50 US per person OR $90 US per couple.



Sponsoship opportunities:

Muskrat Sponsor ($1,000 US)

includes table sponsor signage and event signage, 8 people for dinner and 2 for
VIP reception.



Mallard Duck Sponsor ($500)

includes signage at event , 4 people for dinner and 2 for VIP reception.



RSVP by June 15, 2009

Contact the IWRA at 734-692-7671 or email iwr_alliance@yahoo.com




Palmer Park Green Art Fair - City of Detroit

Sunday, June 28, 2009 - 2 pm to 7 pm



Attend the City of Detroit's 1st
Ecology/Art Fair with more than 20 environmental, community, governmental, and
City of Detroit Department exhibitors.
Entertainment includes acoustical gospel, jazz, blue grass, crab grass
and folk performers. Children's' arts & crafts corner by The Friends of
the Belle Isle. Bring your own picnic lunch and chairs.



For more information, contact Michael Whitty at 248-723-0105 or Peter Benz at 313-515-7380.

Artists: to exhibit or sell art contact Barbara Barefield at 313-891-2514.







Peche Island Day

Saturday, July 11, 2009credit: Windsor Star



Join the Detroit River Canadian Cleanup and
its members for an opportunity to visit, celebrate, and learn about
Peche Island and the Detroit River. A boat will transport you to and
from the island. Once there, you can follow the trails on your own or
join a guided tour. More details to follow! Keep checking our website
and E-newsletter. We look forward to seeing you there!



Please note: the event may be cancelled due to adverse weather conditions or a city work stoppage.










Lakeside 'Locavore' Lunch

Sunday, July 12, 2009 - noon to 2:30 pm



Visit
the John R. Park Homestead in Harrow and get a taste of local food and
wine--become a 'locavore'! Enjoy live music and more. Also featuring
'Food for Thought' sessions where local farmers and food producers
share their specific knowledge
about the delicious bounty that our region offers.Tickets are $20 and
must be ordered in advance because space is limited. Call 519-738-2029
or email jrph@erca.org for more details.







Environmental Job Postings


(note: the links will expire soon after the deadline closes.)









































Volunteer Positions:

    
	
  • Volunteer Board Member (BC) - Better Environmentally Sound Transportation (BEST)
    
	Anyone interested in building communities that foster inclusive,
	sustainable modes of transportation. There are looking for those with a
	background in: law, accounting, finance, communications, and social
	marketing. Email to info@best.bc.ca for more information.
    • 








	
		

			 			
			

			email: postmaster@detroitriver.ca 

			phone: 519-982-DRCC (3722) 

			web: http://www.detroitriver.ca