November 10, 2009
Thank
you for attending our recent Open Houses and sending your comments on
the draft Detroit River Canadian Stage 2 Remedial Action Plan (RAP)
Report. We will use the comments from public and peer reviewers to help
us improve the RAP.
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 the Detroit River's flow rate is 5240 m3/sec (long-term average)Due to the fast water currents, it only takes 21 hours for water to travel from the head of the river to the mouth (into Lake Erie).
Federal funding announced for the Detroit River AOC
LaSalle, ON
- On behalf of the Environment Minister Jim Prentice, Jeff Watson, M.P.
for Essex, announced over $400,000 of federal funding (Great Lakes
Sustainability Fund) to support four Detroit River related projects on
Monday, November 9 at Gil Maure Park in LaSalle. The projects are
related to improvements of fish and wildlife habitat, monitoring and
research, and stewardship in the Detroit River Area of Concern (AOC).
The projects relate to goals listed in the Remedial Action Plan and
will contribute to the continued progress being made on cleanup efforts
in the Detroit River AOC.
Project details:
LaSalle Riverfront Park Fish Habitat Restoration Project ($155 000) - Essex Region Conservation Authority
The
project will utilize soft shoreline enginneering techniques to restore
a portion of Detroit River shoreline in the Town of LaSalle and will
create and enhance wetland and fish habitat.
Detroit River/Canard River Corridor Stewardship Initiative ($70 000) - Essex County Stewardship Network
The
initiative works with private landowners and partner agencies to
increase natural habitat linkages and enhance fish and wildlife
habitats. The initiative will include rehabilitating existing natural
areas, creating new natural habitat, and reducing habitat fragmentation
in the Detroit River-Canard River Corridor.
Rural
Non-Point Source Remediation Program and Biodiversity Conservation
Strategy Implementation for the Detroit River AOC ($150 000) - Essex
Region Conservation Authority
The project will create new
habitat, restore existing degraded habitat, reduce habitat
fragmentation, and will implement non-point source remediation
techniques to reduce soil erosion and nutrient loading in the Detroit
River watershed.
Cause
and Effect Linkages of Sediment Contamination and Delisting Criteria in
the Detroit River AOC ($35 000) - Great Lakes Institute for
Environmental Research (UWindsor)
This study examines the
linkage between contaminated sediments and the contaminants or
deformities found in benthic (bottom-dwelling) organisms in the Detroit
River. The study will help us understand and quantify the potential for
contaminants to accumulate and transfer within the food web.
The Great Lakes Sustainability Fund is administered by Environment Canada to provide technical and financial support for projects that serve to restore the environment.
Save the Date...
for these upcoming events
Ojibway Nature Centre Activities
Various
Thanks to a donation from the Ontario Trillium Foundation, the Friends of Ojibway Prairie now offer 'Discovery Backpacks' to help you learn more about Ojibway Park as you hike along the trails. You can sign out one of the 'Discovery Backpacks' at the park.
- November 15: Fall migration field trip to observe the incredible variety of birds that migrate through Southwestern Ontario each fall. Cost is $15. Meet at the Hawk Tower at Holiday Beach Conservation Area. Check www.ojibway.ca for last minute changes to dates of locations
- November 19: Out of this World (astronomy) for the entire family - 6:30 pm to 8 pm - $6/adult, $5/children
Whooo Am I? - Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge
Saturday, November 14, 2009 - noon
Learn all about owls and how they live. All participants will dissect an owl pellet to learn more about what owls eat. This program is perfect for scout groups or individuals and is geared towards children 7 to 12 years of age. Free. Registration is required. Call (734) 692-7649. Program takes place at the Education Shelter at Humbug Marsh in Trenton, Michigan.
Naturalized Habitat Network Annual Banquet
Wednesday, December 2, 2009 - Call for more details
An evening of food for thought! The Naturalized Habitat Network is pleased to present two guest speakers, Maya Ruggles, of Fed-Up! Windsor Community Gardening and Jae Muzzin of the Windsor Guerrilla Gardening Collective. Together, they will present "Food Security, Food Sovereignty and Food Democracy" which will focus on the importance of producing local food through community self-reliance. The evening will include a complete buffet with your choice of broasted chicken or vegetarian lasagna.
The cost is $22 for adults and $12 for accompanied children. Call the Naturalized Habitat Network at 519-259-2407 to reserve your seat. Reservations must be made before Friday, November 27.
The Naturalized Habitat Network is a local community group that helps local residents integrate nature into their home landscapes. For more information, visit www.naturalizedhabitat.org
Canada South Land Trust
Thursday, December 3, 2009 - 7:30 pm
Guest speaker Todd Pepper will discuss his birding adventure in Brazil during September 2009 which included visits to the Atlantic coastal forest, the Pantanal (a huge wetland complex) and the Cristiliano River tributary of the Amazon River. The program will begin at 7:30 p.m. in Room C of the Essex Civic Centre. A donation of $20 is suggested with a charitable receipt to be issued. Please call Betty at 519-944-0825 to register for this event. Proceeds will go to the Land Trust's Legacy Fund. Refreshments will be served.
Public Advisory Council Meeting
Monday, December 14, 2009 - 5:30 pm
Joint the Detroit River Public Advisory Council for a meeting at 400 City Hall Square (Room 409) beginning at 5:30 pm. Contact Natalie Green for more information: 519-982-3722.
Environmental Job Postings
(note: the links will expire after the deadline closes.)- Office Manager - International Wildlife Refuge Alliance
Deadline: none specified - Education Technician - Credit Valley Conservation Authority
Deadline: November 11, 2009
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email: postmaster@detroitriver.ca |