March 5, 2009
The
snow has melted and spring is definitely in the air! If you're tired of
being indoors, come out and participate in the many local events
happening throughout the month of March. From attending a talk by the
Green Party leader to learning about local food and farming...there's
something for everyone!
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 a beaver was recently spotted on the U.S. side of the Detroit River? The last recorded sighting was reported to be 75-100 years ago!
This
is great news for the Detroit River region as it indicates some level
of ecological recovery. Other species have also recently made a return
to the Detroit River area, for example, lake sturgeon, walleye, and
bald eagles.
Click here to read the full article and to find other related articles.
Elizabeth May to present at the University of Windsor
The University of Windsor's Green Corridor welcomes Elizabeth May
on March 12, 2009 at 7:30pm,
in the lobby of the Medical
Building. Her lecture
will address the future of a green economy in Canada.
This event is open to students and community
members, and is FREE of charge.
All are encouraged to attend! This is an amazing opportunity to hear from one
of Canada's
most influential environmental leaders!
PARKING: Street parking is FREE after 6:00pm.
There are spots located along University
Ave, Wyandotte, and
Huron Church Road
(near Assumption University). There is paid guest parking
located on the corner of Sunset and Wyandotte
(LOT D), and parking at the Bookstore for $2 (LOT L).
Please
call (519-253-0860) or email Kevin Flood
Switch off your lights for Earth Hour - March 28, 2009
Find out more on their website. The 2009 results will be presented at the Global Climate Change conference in Copenhagen.
U.S. President's budget proposes $475 million, Great Lakes Restoration Initiative
"President Obama's historic
proposal will re-energize Great Lakes cleanup and restoration," Governor Quinn
said. "The lakes are an economic force for the Great Lakes region. This
initiative will complement work now underway by state and local governments and
expedite cleanup and economic redevelopment efforts along the Great Lakes."
Budget documents released today
state that the infusion of federal funding will address regional issues
affecting the Great Lakes, such as preventing invasive species, reducing
polluted runoff and cleaning up contaminated sediment.
"States, cities, tribes,
federal agencies, businesses and conservation groups put together a plan to
restore the Great Lakes -- the water belt of our country -- three years ago,"
said Todd Ambs, vice chair of the Commission and Water Division administrator
for the Wisconsin Dept. of Natural Resources. "And we now have a President who
wants to make sure the federal government does its part to put the plan into
action."
Immediate past Chair of the
Great Lakes Commission Michigan Lt. Gov. John Cherry echoed that sentiment and
noted that Michigan recently completed its own plan to protect and restore the
Great Lakes. The MI-Great Lakes Plan will complement the Great Lakes
Regional Collaboration restoration strategy, released in 2005.
Cherry said, "President Obama
is keeping his promise to protect and restore the Great Lakes because he knows
that it will create jobs and help our economy recover. As the Great Lakes
state, Michigan welcomes the President's leadership. We urge Congress to
support the proposal."
Speaking at the Great Lakes
Commission meetings this week in Washington, D.C., Lisa Jackson, Administrator
of U.S. EPA and Nancy Sutley, chair of the White House Council on Environmental
Quality, conveyed the President's commitment to the Great Lakes and hinted that
an important announcement was coming soon. The Commission's meeting highlighted
Great Lakes restoration as a critical element of a broader economic
revitalization strategy for the region. Speaking on behalf of 25 regional
chambers of commerce, Joe Roman, director of the Greater Cleveland Partnership,
showcased Great Lakes restoration as part of a "Business Agenda for Economic
Transformation in the Great Lakes Region."
Save the Date...
for these upcoming events
DRCC Public Advisory Council Meeting
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Join the DRCC PAC
at the City of Windsor (400 City Hall Square) for their regular council
meeting. Contact the RAP Coordinator for more details or visit our website to view the draft agenda.
Little River Winter Excursion
Sunday, March 8, 2009
Join the Essex County Field Naturalists Club members for a hike in Little River Corridor Park. Meet at the end of Little River Road off Riverdale at 2:00 pm
Tapping into Green at the Homestead
Sunday, March 8, 2009 - 10 am to 4 pm
For people who are looking to eat more locally derived foods, to save money, and who want to try their hand at something 'green'...look no further. On Sunday March 8th, from 10 am - 4pm the John R. Park Homestead Conservation Area is offering 'Tapping Into Green' sessions at their upcoming Maple Syrup Festival. During these new sessions visitors can learn how to tap their own trees at home and make real, all natural maple syrup. Visitors will learn what equipment is needed, how to measure and monitor their trees to ensure that they are appropriate for tapping, how to collect and process sap, and finally what pure maple products can be made for your family to enjoy. Don't forget to dress warmly and to wear boots.
Admission to special events is: $5 (Adults) and $3 (Children). Family Admission is $16.00
Other Homestead maple events include:
Maple March Break for Families Programs
Tuesday, March 17th and Friday, March 20th - 1:30pm sharp
6th Annual Maple Moon program
Tuesday March 17th - 7:00pm (Pre-registration is required)
The Homestead is located at 915 County Road 50, east of Colchester- a 45 minute drive southeast of Windsor. For more information please call (519) 738-2029, email jrph@erca.org, or visit www.erca.org and click on "Conservation Areas".
Owl Prowl - Friends of Turkey Creek
Thursday, March 19, 2009 - 6:30 pm to 8 pm
The Friends of Turkey Creek invite you to an owl presentation at the City of Windsor's Ojibway Nature Center on Thursday, March 19, from 6:30 pm to 8 pm. Come out and listen to an informative presentation on owls by park interpreters, enjoy refreshments provided by the Friends of Turkey Creek, and go on a hike through Ojibway Park as they go looking (and listening!) for owls! Ojibway Park is a jewel within the Detroit River sub-watershed, and is one of five natural areas encompassing over 800 acres in west Windsor.
The cost of this event is $6/adult and $5/child.
Please register for this event by calling Ojibway Nature Centre at 519-966-5852.
World Water Day Exhibit
March 21-22, 2009
Visit the DRCC booth at the Devonshire Mall (in front of The Bay) on Saturday, March 21-22, 2009 to celebrate World Water Day.
World Water Day is an international day of observance and action to draw attention to the plight of the more than 1 billion people world wide lacking access to clean, safe, drinking water. Celebrated since 1993, World Water Day was designated by the United Nations General Assembly. With each year, the observance has grown larger and stronger.For more information, visit www.worldwaterday.org/
Earth Friendly Fair
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Join the Friends of Mill and Wigle Creeks as they host an evening of Earth Friendly Alternatives at the Lakeside Park Pavilion in Kingsville. Learn about pesticide-free gardening, native plants, organic food and farming, and environmentally-friendly health and beauty products.
Yoga by Candlelight for Earth Hour
Saturday, March 28, 2009 8:30 to 9:30 pm
The Citizens Environment Alliance (CEA) is partnering with Eastside Yoga Studio to offer a Karma yoga class by candlelight in recognition of Earth Hour. Donation will go to the CEA and the World Wildlife Foundation. Visit the CEA's website for more details.
Keep-the-Boat-Afloat!
Saturday, March 28, 2009 - 6 pm
The U.S. Friends of the Detroit River cordially invites you to attend our annual Detroit Riverkeeper fundraising dinner to be held at the Wyandotte Boat Club (1 Pine Street, Wyandotte, Michigan) on Saturday, March 28th, 2009. Come enjoy a pasta meal with homemade meat balls, salad bar and desserts. The evening includes a cash bar, door prizes, raffle and a silent auction. Doors open at 6 pm for socializing, dinner to be served at 7 pm, followed with a presentation given by David Stimac, a nationally published wildlife photographer, on the "Natural Wonders of the Detroit River."
Please order your tickets in advance by calling (734) 675-0141 or visiting www.detroitriver.org
Tickets are $35 for couples, $20 for adults, and $10 for children under 12. Payments (in USD) by cash or cheque can be made at the door. Contact the U.S. Friends of Detroit River for more details. Download ticket order form.
Biological Invasions Presentation
Sunday, March 29, 2009 - 3 pm
The featured speaker at the 2009 Citizens Environment Alliance Annual General Meeting (AGM) is Dr. Sarah Bailey, Research Scientist with Fisheries and Oceans Canada and Adjunct Professor at the Great Lakes Institute for Environmental Research (UWindsor). Dr. Bailey will be speaking about "Biological Invasions: why do they matter and what can be done?" at 3:00pm on Sunday, March 29th in the Fred Israel Auditorium (lower level) in the Windsor Public Library, 850 Ouellette Avenue, Windsor. Contact the CEA for more information.
Spring Excursion
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Join the Essex County Field Naturalists Club members for an early spring hike. Meet at the Ojibway Nature Centre parking lot at 2:00 pm.
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)
State of the Strait
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
This 1-day, binational conference at the University of Windsor on April 28, 2009 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 but is limited! Register now until April 14, 2009. Visit www.stateofthestrait.org for more information.
Environmental Job Postings
- Forest and Wetlands Educator - Inside Education
Deadline: March 6, 2009
- Forest Educator- Inside Education
Deadline: March 6, 2009
- Lab Technician - Canadian Grain Commission (Chatham)
Deadline: March 6, 2009
- Project Officer, Senior Project Officer
Deadline: March 9, 2009
- Cougar Research Volunteer Field Technicians - U of Alberta
Deadline: March 13, 2009
- Manager, Environmental FootPrint - Minto Group Inc.
Deadline: March 15, 2009
- Wildlife Research Station Manager - Algonquin Park
Deadline: March 15, 2009
- Science Advisor/Oceans & Habitat Management Senior Biologist
Deadline: March 17, 2009
- Aquatic Monitoring Crew Leader- Central Lake Ontario CA
Deadline: March 20, 2009
-
Aquatic Monitoring Assistant(4 positions) - Central Lake Ontario CA
Deadline: March 20, 2009
- Terrestrial Resource Field Technician - Central Lake Ontario CA
Deadline: March 20, 2009
- Assistant Water Resource Technician (2 positions) - Central Lake Ontario CA
Deadline: March 20, 2009
- Wetland Monitoring Assistant - Central Lake Ontario CA
Deadline: March 20, 2009
- General Manager/Secretary-Treasurer- ERCA
Deadline: March 21, 2009
- Field Research Assistant - McGill University
Deadline: March 25, 2009
- Grizzly Bear Field Assistants - U of Alberta Grizzly Bear Project
Deadline: April 1, 2009
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email: postmaster@detroitriver.ca |