Detroit River E-Newsletter

E-Newsletter
June 2013

www.detroitriver.ca

In This Issue

Did you know??

Detroit River Evening

Fishing frenzy!

IJC Releases Great Lakes Report

Quick Links

Canada-Ontario Agreement
Environment Canada: Great Lakes

Hello!

Planning is underway for several of our upcoming events including the Detroit River Boat Tour and Peche Island Day. Stay tuned for more information! In the meantime, we're very excited for our Detroit River Evening on June 19. If you haven't done so already, make sure you read below for details and register now.

If you have any relevant, local events or articles you'd like included in this E-newsletter, please do not hesitate to email me your suggestions!

Cheers,

Natalie Green, M.Sc.

Remedial Action Plan Coordinator

[email protected]

The DRCC initiative is a partnership between government, industry, academics, as well as environmental and community organizations that work together to improve the Detroit River ecosystem.

Our key goal is to implement the Canadian Remedial Action Plan in order to restore the beneficial uses and remove the River from the list of
Great Lakes Areas of Concern.

Did you know??

Did you know?

...that in North America about 63% of backyard BBQs are fired up with charcoal or briquettes and using them to cook a standard hamburger results in 105 times more carbon monoxide than if you cooked on a propane grill.

Charcoal and briquettes may be your cheapest option when it comes to fuel, but they're also the dirtiest. Every time you fire up the charcoal, you're sending soot and carbon monoxide into the air. Briquettes also give off a lot of harmful Volatile Organic Compounds or VOCs when lit, and they're something we can all breathe easier without. Similarly, lighter fluid releases VOCs and should be avoided for its negative impacts on our health.

Environmentally-friendly and healthy options exist. Pick up a bag of coconut shell charcoal (which burns without smoke, odour, or harmful emissions) or look for charcoal which is free of additives, coal, chemicals, or fillers. Propane or natural gas are your most environmentally-friendly vapour options. They're not perfect, but they're more efficient than your oven and going outside to barbecue does keep your house cooler in the hot summer months.

Other tips for a "greener" barbecue experience this summer:

Use reusable dishes rather than plastics or styrofoam and washable napkins rather than paper. If you must use disposables, use recylable/compostable plates, cups and utensils.
Avoid single serving products. Buy in bulk and larger containers. For drinks buy larger volumes that can be served in reusable cups/bottles, if they must be single service, be sure that they come in recyclable containers.
Have a recycling station set up at your barbecue event to make green choices easy for your guests. Remind people to place their recyclables into the recycle boxes, and compostable items into your compost pail. It's also a good idea to put a little list on your compost container to remind people what does and doesn't go into a composter.
Leftover foods should be kept at safe temperatures and handled properly; encourage guests to bring their own reusable containers and invite them to take leftovers home to reduce waste.
Consider meat free alternatives when barbecuing; not every meal has to include a steak or hamburgers. Try tasty vegetables grilled on skewers as a kabob, or marinate and then grill those giant portabello mushrooms for a delicious patty replacement. Check out this recipe from Highline Mushrooms! If you live in Essex/Kent Counties - buying locally produced fruits and vegetables is easy to do, and green too! Yum!

Happy Grilling!

You're invited to our Detroit River Evening!

Join us for our 3rd Detroit River Evening on Wednesday, June 19, 2013 at the Freed-Orman Conference Centre in Windsor. Space is limited and registration is required.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER NOW

This year, we welcome Dr. John Howard to speak to us about "Healthy People Need Healthy Water: A physician's perspective on Ecosystem Health". Dr. Howard is an award-winning professor of Paediatrics and leader/founder of the Ecosystem Health Implementation Team at Western University. He is presently the Chairman of the Board of the Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment, an organization committed to advocating for environmental policies that guarantee a sustainable future for many generations to come.

Free parking is available in the marked lot next to Assumption University and on the street (meters are free after 6 pm). Upon entering the lot, simply notify the parking lot attendant that you are participating in the Detroit River Evening. Signage to guide you to the building.

The Detroit River Evening is an annual celebration of the important projects that were completed in the past year to restore, enhance and protect the Detroit River and its watershed as we move toward the goal of removing the Detroit River from the Great Lakes Areas of Concern. You can also meet and chat with local representatives that work on issues concerning the Detroit River. Contact Natalie Green if you have any additional questions.

Fishing Frenzy on the Riverfront

Fishing on the Detroit Riverfront May 25, 2013

Hundreds of people fish for silver bass along the Detroit River at Centennial Park, Saturday, May 18, 2013. Silver bass are currently spawning in the Detroit River and migrating to Lake St. Clair. (DAX MELMER/The Windsor Star)

It's not uncommon to spot a few people fishing along Windsor's waterfront in spring and summer but the shore of the Detroit River was packed on the morning of Saturday, May 18th with hundreds of local and out-of-town anglers casting their bait for silver bass.

See the full details in the Windsor Star Article.

IJC Releases 16th Biennial Report on Great Lakes Water Quality

The International Joint Commission (IJC) has just released a report on how the health of the Great Lakes has changed over the past 25 years.

While sustained governmental and public efforts have measurably improved Great Lakes water quality, rapid reduction in ice cover and the resurgence of some pollutants like excess nutrients are among the indicators currently raising concerns. Based on contributions from a wide range of U.S. and Canadian experts, the report reveals a mix of achievements and challenges.

The new IJC report is based on 16 measures of Great Lakes health that indicate the status of the chemical, physical and biological health of the Lakes. Also published is a longer Technical Report with more supporting information. Previous Biennial Reports are also available on the IJC website.

UPCOMING EVENTS IN OUR REGION

WECEC GREEN SPEAKER SERIES

Friday, June 7, 2013: 11 am - 4 pm

Walkerville Brewery, 525 Argyle, Windsor

Registration Required

On Friday June 7th, the Windsor-Essex County Environment Committee (WECEC) will continue their Green Speaker Series with host Dan Burden, Co-Founder and Director of Innovation and Inspiration at the Walkable and Livable Communities Institute. Dan will discuss how creating more walkable streets can contribute to healthier, more vibrant communities with thriving economies. Findings from this workshop and walking audit can be applied throughout the City of Windsor. To register for this workshop, simply email Averil Parent at the City of Windsor.

REPTILE AND AMPHIBIAN HIKE

Sunday, June 9, 2013: 9 am

Rowsom Conservation Area, Tilbury West

Join Tom Preney and Jonathon Choquette to learn more about reptiles and amphibians while exploring Rowsom and Big O Conservation Areas! Observations will be submitted to the Ontario Reptile and Amphibian Atlas to help scientists study the populations of these fascinating creatures. The hike will start at Rowsom Conservation Area at 9:00 a.m. Rowsom's Tilbury West Conservation Area is located at 15172 S. Middle Road, in the Town of Lakeshore. For a map, visit: Rowsom Map.

EWSWA OPEN HOUSE AND RECYCLING CENTRE TOUR

Sunday, June 9, 2013: 10 am - 2 pm, Rain or Shine

3560 North Service Road East, Windsor

All are invited to attend the Essex-Windsor Solid Waste Authority's annual Open House. This family friendly event will feature: tours of the recycling centre, truck demonstrations, composting demonstrations, games and activities for children, a BBQ and more! For more information: www.ewswa.org or 1-800-563-3377.

FRIENDS OF DETROIT RIVER - VOLUNTEERING 101 WORKSHOP

Tuesday, June 11, 2013: 6:30 pm - 7:30 pm

Portofino Restaurant, 3455 Biddle Avenue, Wyandotte, Michigan USA

Are you interested in learning more about an American organization that protects the Detroit River? Are you tired of being home and looking for opportunities to volunteer some of your time? Then this is the workshop for you! Learn about Friends of the Detroit River - how the organization started, what projects it is currently working on, and ways you can volunteer to protect the Detroit River.

For information: 734-675-0141 or email: [email protected]

OJIBWAY NATURE CENTRE ACTIVITIES

Contact the Nature Centre (519-966-5852) for details on any of the following programs.

Windsor's Annual Butterfly Count (all ages)
Saturday, July 6: 9 am - 4 pm

Attention butterfly watchers! Join Windsor's 20th annual butterfly tally and help with this exciting and valuable field inventory of Windsor's butterflies. Lunch provided by the Friends of Ojibway Prairie.

A $5 participant fee is donated to North American Butterfly Association, no fee for youth

Nectar Festival (all ages)

Saturday, August 24: 9 am - noon

Learn about the sweet lives of hummingbirds, butterflies and other nectar lovers. Watch hummingbird banding and learn tips on how to attract these jewels to your yard. Banding will start around 9 am and displays, activities and treats will run all morning.

Thrilling Thursdays(all ages)

Ojibway Nature Centre is open in the evening on the last Thursday of the month for the following programs. Please sign up early for these special programs offered.


June 28	Butterfly Secrets	6:30-8:00pm	$6/adult, $5/child
July 25	Deer Hike	6:30-8:00pm	$6/adult, $5/child
August 29	Spiders and Other Bugs	6:30-8:00pm	$6/adult, $5/child
September 26	Snakes and other Endangered Species	6:30-8:00pm	$6/adult, $5/child
October 31	Fall Colours	6:30-8:00pm	$6/adult, $5/child
November 28	Out of this World Astronomy	6:30-8:00pm	$6/adult $5/child

FRIENDS OF THE DETROIT RIVER FRIENDSHIP CRUISE

Tuesday, June 18, 2013

Arrive at 6 pm, Boat departs at 6:30 pm

Meet at Portofino Restaurant; 3455 Biddle Ave, Wyandotte, Michigan USA

$35 per person. Cost includes pizza dinner, 1 year membership to the Friends of the Detroit River and a narrated tour of the Detroit River on the Portofino Friendship Boat. Advance registration required. RSVP to: 734-675-0141 or email: [email protected]

3rd ANNUAL DETROIT RIVER EVENING

Wednesday, June 19, 2013 - 6:30 pm to 9 pm

Freed-Orman Conference Centre, 400 Huron Church Road, Windsor

Join the DRCC initiative to celebrate Detroit River projects and hear an interesting presentation by Dr. John Howard about Human and Environmental Health. More information in the article above. Free and all are welcome to attend but registration is required. Register here. Light refreshments will be provided.

TURKEY CREEK CANOE RACE AND CLEANUP

Saturday, June 22, 2013 - noon to 4 pm
Gerry Craig Park, LaSalle, ON

Come one come all to the 11th Annual Turkey Creek Canoe Race and Cleanup! Hosted by the Friends of Turkey Creek, this event is a great way to have fun and help cleanup Turkey Creek at the same time. Registration and a free barbecue lunch starts at noon. High school students can earn community service hours. For those with their own canoe or other non-motorized watercraft, please bring your own PFD (life Jacket), bailer, line and whistle. For those without their own canoe, a limited number of canoes and associated gear will be available on a first come, first serve basis. For more details, please contact Caroline: [email protected] or 519-776-5209, ext. 245

Job Postings

These postings are for jobs at various locations with varying deadlines. Please click on the job title to view job details. Contact the listed agency in the job ad for more information.Note: the links will expire after the deadline has passed.

Senior Manager, Env. Planning and Regs - Saugeen Conservation (Formosa, ON)
Deadline: June 5, 2013

Public Interest Articling Position - Lake Ontario Waterkeeper (Toronto, ON)
Deadline: July 5, 2013

Marketing Coordinator - Nature Conservancy of Canada (Toronto, ON)

Deadline: not listed

Engineering Technologist - Essex Region Conservation Authority (Essex, ON)

Deadline: June 14, 2013

Various Summer Student Positions - Conservation Authorities Across Ontario

Detroit River Canadian Cleanup

311-360 Fairview Avenue West
Essex, Ontario N8M 1Y6
519-982-3722 (DRCC) or 519-776-5209 x356
[email protected]

"To cleanup, enhance, and sustain the Detroit River ecosystem and its tributaries
...because we're all connected to the River!".