September 17, 2008
The seasons are changing and Fall is officially just around the corner. Don't worry! The DRCC is still co-hosting many events that you can participate in. See below or contact me for more details and how you can help protect the Detroit River and its watershed. Notice that we've now added a section to our e-newsletter called "Did you know?" that will include fact, tips, and information to help you make environmentally-friendly choices that will benefit the your health and the health of the Detroit River ecosystem. We hope you find this new section useful!
Remember, we love to hear from you! If you have items you'd like to include in our October newsletter, please send them to postmaster@detroitriver.ca
Natalie (Carreau) Green
DRCC Coordinator
Questions? Email me
Did you know??
New!
Did you know that when you fertilize your lawn you may be contributing to nutrient pollution in the Detroit River (or one of its tributaries-Little River, Turkey Creek, and Canard River)?
If you over-fertilize your lawn or fertilize before it rains, the nutrients can wash off your lawn into stormdrains and directly into the Detroit River (or its tributaries)-polluting our drinking water, causing unpleasant smells along the shoreline, and/or increasing algal and aquatic plant growth (which can use up oxygen needed for fish and wildlife survival).
Fertilizers are helpful when they are used properly but there are various environmentally-friendly alternatives available. For example:
- Leave grass clippings on your lawn. They'll provide a great source of slowly released nitrogen for the grass and soil.
- Use fertilizers sparingly-many plants do not need as much fertilizer as you may think.
- Start composting your organic waste (fruit/veggie peels, grass, egg shells, etc.) and mix that compost with your soil. This will provide organic nutrients for your plants, you'll use less chemical fertilizers, and reduce the amount of waste you produce.
- Do not fertilize before a rainstorm (check the weather forecasts)
- Avoid spraying near curbs, sidewalks, and pavement.
- Consider using organic fertilizers (e.g., compost) or a slow-release fertilizer (they'll provide a more uniform feeding and less risk that excess fertilizer will leach away from the root zone).
The City of Windsor Parks and Recreation Department
is hosting a free lawn care workshop on Thursday, September 18, 2008 and
Thursday, October 16, 2008 (7 pm to 9 pm) at the Gino Marcus Community Complex
(Windsor). The workshop will teach you how to grow your lawn without the use of
chemicals.
Visit www.cleanlakes.ca
or www.healthylawns.net
for more information.
Bald Eagles nesting in the Detroit River AOC
The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (Local
17), DTE Energy, City of Gibraltar, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the
International Wildlife Refuge Alliance have constructed a bald eagle platform
of the south end of Humbug Island in an effort to protect and enhance bald
eagle habitat in the Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge.
On Thursday, August 21, 2008 bald eagle expert Dave Best of the U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service climbed a utility pole placed strategically on Humbug Island,
constructed the bald eagle nesting platform, and seeded the nest with 3-4 foot
sticks. The hope is that bald eagles will nest at Humbug Marsh next spring; however,
it sometimes takes longer for a nest to be successful.
Bald eagles (as well as other animals in the Great Lakes basin) are negatively affected by toxic chemicals in the water and their food sources, for example, the pesticide DDT (dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane). Researchers found that DDT (and other contaminants) was causing reproductive/development problems and death in some adults and hatchlings. Consequently, bald eagle populations were on the decline until about 10 years after the use of pesticides in Canada and the United States was restricted in the 1970s.
Research now shows that bald eagles have made an amazing recovery throughout the United States and Canada, including the Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge. Bald eagles are considered endangered (facing imminent extinction or extirpation) in Ontario but were removed from the United States federal list of threatened and endangered species in 2007. At least seven active bald eagle nests are known to exist in the watershed of the Detroit River and western Lake Erie.
For more information on the bald eagle platform project contact John Hartig (734-692-7608) of the US Fish and Wildlife Service. You may also visit the Canadian Wildlife Service, Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, or Bird Studies Canada.
Volunteers Needed - Little River Cleanup
Saturday, September 20, 2008
Supported by: Canadian Auto Workers Local 200, City of Windsor, Detroit River Canadian Cleanup, Essex County Field Naturalists Club, Essex Region Conservation Authority, and Little River Enhancement Group.
Detroit River Hawk Watch
During the autumn months, the skies over southwestern
Ontario and southeastern Michigan are alive with tens of thousands of hawks,
eagles, falcons, and other birds of prey. In fact, the lower Detroit River and
western Lake Erie are known as one of the best areas in North America to view
raptor migration.
In 1983, the Lake Erie Metropark Hawk Watch, and later Southeastern Michigan
Raptor Research, began recording migration data when enthusiastic birders
recognized the incredible phenomena. During the three-month fall migration
season, an average of 220,000 birds, representing 16 species, are recorded.
Several North American birding records have been documented, including the
single largest Broad-winged Hawk flight ever recorded in the United States:
555,176 birds. In 2008, Southeastern
Michigan Raptor Research will pass the responsibility of the hawk watch program
to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Refuge's friend's group called
the International Wildlife Refuge Alliance who will work collaboratively to
integrate it into the current environmental monitoring efforts of the Detroit
River International Wildlife Refuge.
To promote the transition between Southeastern Michigan Raptor Research and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and International Wildlife Refuge Alliance, the new title for the hawk monitoring program is Detroit River Hawk Watch. More information about the program and daily count journals can be accessed at the updated website, www.smrr.net.
Festival of Hawks: Don't forget that during the entire month of September, you can celebrate the fall migration of hawks (as well as hummingbirds, songbirds, monarchs, and dragonflies) by participating in a number of activities at Holiday Beach Conservation Area and Point Pelee National Park. There are many special features during the September 20-21 weekend including workshops and seminars for experts and novices alike, Dragonfly hikes, hands-on kid's activities, bird banding and Monarch Butterfly tagging demonstrations. If you miss the main Festival of Hawks, visit on Saturday, September 27 for more special events hosted by the Holiday Beach Migration Observatory. Admission is only $8.00 per car.
Save the Date...
for these upcoming events
Tree planting
Saturday, October 4, 2008
Join us in a tree planting event at the new WFCU Centre (Windsor Arena) site on Saturday, October 4, 2008 from 10 am until 1 pm. A BBQ lunch will follow the event. For more information, contact Bill Roesel (City of Windsor) 519-253-2300 x6709 or Natalie Green (DRCC) 519-776-5209 x356
Supported by: Canadian Auto Workers Local 200, City of Windsor, Detroit River Canadian Cleanup, Essex County Field Naturalists Club, Essex Region Conservation Authority, and Little River Enhancement Group
Public Advisory Council Meeting
Monday, November 3, 2008
The DRCC Public Advisory Council invites you to join their meeting on Monday, November 3rd, 2008 (location and time TBA).
Friends of Canard River Fundraising Dinner
Saturday, November 8, 2008
Environmental Job Postings
The Ontario Ministry of the Environment is looking for a Research Scientist, Upper Great Lakes Ecosystems Ecologist to work in Windsor, Peterborough, or Sault Ste. Marie.
LimnoTech has four positions available in Ann Arbor, Michigan (Environmental Project Engineer, Environmental Engineer/Scientist, Project Manager - Contaminated Sediments, and Project Manager - Wet Weather).
The Nature Conservancy is seeking a Great Lakes Climate Change Scientist in various Great Lakes locations (US) to work with a multi-disciplinary team of individuals to develop an adaptation strategy for the Great Lakes region.
ENVIRON is looking for dynamic, senior-level professionals to join the firm as Ecologists, Ecological Risk Assessors and Project Managers in Ann Arbor, Michigan and Chicago Illinois. The individuals will provide strong technical oversight and management of multiple, complex ecology, environmental impact, and natural resource damage projects in North America.
A position as Watershed Officer is available with the Hamilton Conservation Authority until September 26, 2008. The individual will coordinate and review of applications under the Hamilton Conservation Authority's Development, Interference with Wetlands and Alterations to Shorelines and Watercourses Regulation, including legal inquiries, site inspections and enforcement.This position will also assist with other watershed and sub-watershed planning and regulation projects and initiatives.
We're now on Facebook!
You can now get Detroit River news and events that help promote the restoration of the Detroit River and its tributary watersheds (Little River, Turkey Creek, and Canard River) sent directly to your Facebook account! Simply search "Detroit River Canadian Cleanup" and "Become a Fan". We look forward to seeing you at our events!
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"I don't know the key to success, but the key to failure is trying to please everybody." Bill Cosby
email: postmaster@detroitriver.ca |