DRCC w website
August 2014
THE CURRENT
A monthly newsletter to keep you informed about the Detroit River.

Message from the RAP Coordinator
Researchers measure a Northern Leopard Frog from the St. Clair River
In July, I had the opportunity to head up to the St. Clair Area of Concern and visit some field researchers working with Northern Leopard Frogs and Brown Bullhead. They were examining the frogs and fish for deformities, tumours, and any other abnormalities that might indicate contaminants in the water. This addresses two of the 14 Beneficial Use Impairments (Bird and Animal Deformities or Other Reproductive Problems, and Fish Tumours and Fish Tumours or Other Deformities) that we use to assess ecosystem health in our Areas of Concern; similar research takes place in the Detroit River. All the frogs we saw appeared to be healthy and were released back into the wetland!

As always, we love to hear from you. If you have any upcoming events, questions, or feedback, please email postmaster@detroitriver.ca.   

 

Thank you,

Claire Sanders 

Remedial Action Plan Coordinator  

Detroit River Canadian Cleanup 
Happy Birthday Detroit - the 313 Turns 313 Years Old!
by Mary Bohling, Michigan State University Extension, Michigan Sea Grant

The city of Detroit and the Detroit River have experienced a great deal of environmental change in the last 313 years. Then, like now, it's impassioned citizens and groups that work to help make the city and the river great.

On July 24, 1701, Antoine Laumet de LaMothe Cadillac established the City of Detroit with permission from

A map of the Detroit River circa 1764. Photo credit: University of Texas Libraries at University of Texas at Austin
French King Louis XIV. When first established, the French trading outpost was called Fort-Pontchartrain du Détroit. Today, some of us who live in metro Detroit often refer to the city by its area code, 313. While much has changed in the last 313 years, some things are still very similar. Detroit is still a place with impassioned people who are working hard to make Detroit a great place to live, work and play.

 

 

In the book, Frontier Metropolis by Brian Leigh Dunnigan, Cadillac's mission is described as "to establish a settlement of French colonists and native American trading partners on the fertile banks of the strait." The book goes on to explain the importance of the Detroit River to the founding of the community and continuing prosperity. In 1701, Detroit was the center of most human activity in southeast Michigan, and the Detroit River was the transportation superhighway. French-style ribbon farms lined the waterfront as each landowner clamored for access to the water for irrigation, drinking, transportation and recreation.

 

During the Industrial Revolution, numerous factories lined the Detroit River. The factories used water from the river to cool engines, bring raw materials to the factories, convert raw materials to various industrial products, and transport those products around the world. Unfortunately, the prosperity of the Industrial Revolution also resulted in the Detroit-and other local rivers-becoming the receiving grounds for industrial byproducts and waste. As the waters became more and more polluted, many people turned their backs on the Detroit River and the river was designated as a Great Lakes Area of Concern.

Over the last 30+ years, many individuals and groups like Michigan Sea Grant and Michigan State University Extension have been working to clean up the Detroit River Area of Concern. You can read more about the cleanup efforts on the Detroit River in previously published news articles. As cleanup efforts progress, we are once again discovering the beauty of the river and its ability to provide us with recreational opportunities.

So, as we celebrate Detroit's birthday, let us also celebrate the rebirth of the Detroit River and all those who have had a hand in it. Although there is still work to be done, there is much to celebrate!

 

Originally published on July 23, 2014 by Michigan State University Extension.
Mark Your Calendar for Peche Island Day - October 4th!
The DRCC and our partners are excited to host our Annual Peche Island Day on October 4, 2014! Activities will run from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm. Peche Island Day is a free event and everyone is welcome to come explore the beauty of this Detroit River island gem.

Free transportation to the island by boat is provided on a first-come, first-served basis. Boat boarding takes place at Lakeview Park Marina, 9200 Riverside Drive E. Boat transportation will begin at 10:00 am. The last boat bringing people to the island will leave the mainland at 1:00 pm.

The island features marked trails for self-guided tours, however guided tours of the island also available at specific times throughout the day. Light snacks and beverages will be available for purchase. This event  is a joint effort of the DRCC, City of Windsor, CEA, ECFN, BASF, MNR, University of Windsor and Windsor-Essex County Canoe Club. For more information phone: 519-982-3722 or email: postmaster@detroitriver.ca. PID 2010_Montreal Canoe
 
Stay Connected with Us
We hope that you find the Detroit River Canadian Cleanup (DRCC) newsletters and announcements to be interesting, timely, and relevant!

We would like to continue to provide you with these electronic communications to keep you informed and involved with the health of our river. In anticipation of Canada's anti-spam legislation, we are examining the process by which we collect email addresses. From time to time, we advertise events for local not-for-profits and charities and would like to continue to do so. Therefore, over the next little while we will ask you to confirm your interest in receiving our emails.

As always, you may withdraw or opt out of such communications immediately by clicking unsubscribe at the bottom of this newsletter.

If you have any questions please contact us by phone 519-982-3722 or  email.
 
A Detroit River Fish Tale!
Local naturalist Tom Preney proudly displays his Muskie (Muskellunge)! Caught and released July 14, 2014 on the Detroit River, LaSalle, Ontario. Photo By Mike Preney Jr.

 
Extra! Extra! Read all about it!
The Detroit River in the news....here are some relevant, external links to news articles that may pique your interest. Click on the link to read on.
Upcoming Events
Save the date for these great local events! Please ensure you contact the organizer for more information.
BLUEBERRY SOCIAL & LOST ARTS FESTIVAL   

August 10, 2014: Noon - 4:00pm    

John R. Park Homestead Conservation Area

 

915 County Road 50 East, Harrow  

 

Enjoy a day outside at the John R. Park Homestead Conservation Area for a celebration of lost arts and local fruit.  Visit the voyageur encampment and visit with the colourful characters from the past demonstrating 19th century crafts including broom making, candle dipping, wood carving, blacksmithing and more.  Many other modern artisans will be on-site demonstrating their handiwork and selling their wares beautiful, locally crafted wares. Celebrate the blueberry season with blueberry pie and ice cream, live music and games for children. Don't forget to pick your own blueberries at Klassen Blueberries, just 1km east of the Homestead on County Road 50.  For more information on the festival phone 519-738-2029 or email.

 
NECTAR FESTIVAL   

August 23, 2014: 9:00am- Noon     

Ojibway Nature Centre 

5200 Matchette Road, Windsor 

 

Learn about the sweet lives of hummingbirds, butterflies and other nectar lovers. Join us for hummingbird banding and tips on how to attract these jewels to your yard. Banding will start around 9:00 am and displays, activities and treats will run all morning. Admission is free.

 

ESSEX COUNTY FIELD NATURALISTS' MEETING    

September 10, 2014: 7:30pm  

Ojibway Nature Centre

5200 Matchette Road, Windsor  

  

Have you ever wondered what happens to water and other substances when they are flushed down our drains and toilets? It shouldn't be a mystery. The City of Windsor and the Detroit River Canadian Cleanup initiative have partnered to create a wastewater video to help de-mystify the topic, and educate viewers. Everything we put down our drains can have a big impact on our home and our environment. For example, there are many household items that are branded as 'flushable' that really shouldn't be put down the toilet. Same goes with old, expired medication-wastewater treatment plants were never designed to remove those substances from water. Join City of Windsor Environmental Coordinator, Karina Richters, and Detroit River Canadian Cleanup Remedial Action Plan Coordinator, Claire Sanders, for a screening and discussion of the short video "Wasterwater: Where Does it Go?"

 
FESTIVAL OF HAWKS 

September 13, 14 and 20, 21, 2014: 9:00am - 3:00pm each day   

Holiday Beach Conservation Area 

6952 County Road 50, Amherstburg  

  

Live raptor shows, banding demonstrations, free workshops and hikes. Bird identification, adopt-a-hawk programs, nature crafts and activities. Learn about the spectacular migration at Holiday Beach, ranked as the top hawk watching site in Canada by Audubon Magazine, and the third best in all of North America.

Special features this year include two advance-tickets-only events: an Egret Evening at Holiday Beach on September 13th, and an Evening with Joel Greenberg, Passenger Pigeon expert and author at Cooper's Hawk Winery on September 18th.

For more Hawk Festival visit:  www.erca.org or email kives@erca.org

 
Job Postings
Job postings graphicThese 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.    

 
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311-360 Fairview Avenue West, Essex, ON· 519-92-3722
postmaster@detroitriver.ca
www.detroitriver.ca

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 through a Remedial Action Plan. Our main goal is to
remove the River from the list of Great Lakes Areas of Concern.