THE CURRENT

A monthly newsletter to keep you informed about the Detroit River.

Message from the RAP Coordinator

The annual St. Clair-Detroit River System (SCDRS) Initiative meeting was held in February. Attendees had the opportunity to share research results and restoration actions and work towards prioritizing management actions for the corridor. SCDRS partners share a common vision: the restoration of portions of southern Lake Huron, the St. Clair River, Lake St. Clair, the Detroit River, and western Lake Erie to a thriving ecosystem with science-based management and broad social support that provides environmental services for the region and the Great Lakes basin. The SCDRS Initiative is a bi-national collaborative partnership with more than 30 organizations, including U.S. and Canadian natural resource-related agencies, Tribes/First Nations, units of local government, industry and university partners, non-profits, and interested citizens. To learn more, please visit www.scdrs.org.

If you'd like more information or have questions, please email postmaster@detroitriver.ca.

Claire Sanders

Remedial Action Plan Coordinator

Detroit River Canadian Cleanup

DRCC Screening of PROJECT: ICE a Success!

The DRCC's 7th annual film screening was yet another sold out event, with almost 200 people in attendance. This year's film was PROJECT: ICE, an award-winning documentary detailing the history, geology and science of the Great Lakes, and the importance of ice. The film explained the interconnectedness of the Great Lakes and people, and highlighted the importance of this shared resource. "Whether you're interested in history, geology, pond hockey and ice fishing, or significant environmental threats to the Great Lakes, there's something in this movie that everyone can connect with" notes Claire Sanders, Remedial Action Plan Coordinator.

We were very lucky to have Executive Producer and Director, William Kleinert, on hand to introduce and provide context for his film! A big thank you to our expert panel members - William Kleinert, Dr. Henry Pollack (University of Michigan), and Karina Richters (City of Windsor) - for participating in the informative discussion following the film. They did a terrific job of making local connections to the film and sharing what they believe a changing climate means for water quality in the Detroit River and our local watersheds. A special thank you to DRCC volunteers, Pete Thomas and Pearl Bradd, for their help with registration.

Congratulations to Duncan H. who won an afternoon cruise for two on the Detroit River!! Thanks to everyone who answered our questionnaire and entered our draw!

Read more about the evening here, as covered by Our Windsor.

Panel discussion following the screening of Project: Ice with William Kleinert (left), Karina Richters (centre), and Dr. Henry Pollack. Image courtesy of Tom Morrison, OurWindsor.ca.

Order Your Spring Trees Now!

If you own a minimum of one acre of property and are hoping to plant trees this spring, now is the time to place your order with the Essex Region Conservation Authority. Landowners who wish to order trees for this spring are also able to do so until March 4, 2016. The cost of seedling trees begins at 69 cents. Large stock deciduous trees begin at $24 each, while coniferous trees start at $14. Participants must own an acre of land and the minimum purchase of 100 seedlings or 15 large stock trees is required.

"Planting trees on your property not only helps the environment, but can improve property values, reduce heating and cooling costs and improve the aesthetics of your land," says Rob Davies, ERCA's Forester. "We also have some grant programs available to landowners wishing to undertake restoration projects such as reforestation, buffer strips or prairie planting. We'd encourage landowners who would like to learn more to get in touch with us."

For more information about ERCA's tree planting or broader complement of restoration programs, please visit www.erca.org or contact ERCA at 519-776-5209 ext. 310.

Help Restore Your Watershed!

Ontario uses penalties collected from environmental violations to fund community projects that restore and protect the environment. Not-for-profit organizations, First Nations and M�tis communities, municipalities, schools, colleges, universities, and conservation authorities can get government grants for local projects in their watersheds.

This year, $325,000 from the Ontario Community Environment Fund (OCEF) will be shared among 19 watersheds across the province where environmental penalties were collected.

Past projects have successfully restored riverbanks by planting native trees and plants, helped protect the Great Lakes from invasive species, improved fish and wildlife habitat, and helped improve air quality and fight climate change in communities across Ontario.

The deadline to submit an application is March 31, 2016. For more information about an OCEF grant in your community, please emailocef@ontario.ca or call the Public Information Centre:

1-416-325-4000 or 1-800-565-4923

Lakewide Action and Management Plan Annual Reports Available

The 2015 Lakewide Action and Management Plan Annual Reports for lakes Superior, Michigan, Huron, Erie and Ontario have been published.

The 2015 LAMP annual reports highlight accomplishments and progress in achieving LAMP goals during the past year, and identifies LAMP-related activities including outreach, monitoring, protection and restoration actions. Lakewide Action and Management Plans (LAMPs) are developed and implemented for each Great Lake. Each LAMP facilitates information sharing, sets priorities, and assists in coordinating binational environmental protection and restoration activities as prescribed in Annex 2 of the amended 2012 Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement.

For more information, visit http://binational.net/.

Invitation for Expressions of Interest - Source Water Protection Committee

The Essex Region Source Protection Committee (SPC) was created to develop a Source Protection Plan to protect drinking water sources in the Essex Region Source Protection Area. The SPC evaluates the implementation of the Source Protection Plan and will oversee amendments to the Assessment Report, Source Protection Plan, and related public and stakeholder consultations.

We are seeking to fill a vacancy for two positions on the SPC, one agriculture and one general public representative. There is a commitment to participate in 3-4 meetings per year for three years, with a possibility of extension. Representatives must reside, own or rent property, be employed, or operate a business in the Essex Region Source Protection Area. A full job description is available under the Committee section at www.essexregionsourcewater.org.

To be considered candidates must describe their interest in writing, accompanied by their resume by 4:00 pm on Monday, March 14, 2016. Expression of Interest forms can be obtained from the website. To send your application or request more information, contact Katie Stammler at kstammler@erca.org or 519-776-5209 ext. 342.

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.

Detroit River cleanup groups applaud $2.3-million announcement (February 3)
Detroit denies bid to store coal-based byproduct near river (February 4)
Engineers struggle to put streams back into the urban landscape (February 8)
Some pet coke piles contain cancer-causing carcinogens, study finds (February 9)
Bringing Conservation to Cities: a mission to reconnect urban residents with nature (February 25)

Upcoming Events

Save the date for these great local events! Please ensure you contact the organizer for more information.

CANADA SOUTH LAND TRUST ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

March 3, 2016: 7:30pm

Essex Civic Centre, 360 Fairview Avenue West, Essex - Room C

Guest speaker will be David Ainslie talking about his work with pollinators.

MAPLE SYRUP FESTIVAL

March 6, 2016: 11:00am-4:00pm
John R. Park Homestead, 915 County Road 50, Harrow

Wear your boots to Essex County's premier Maple Syrup Festival. Make maple taffy in the snow, and see syrup being made the pioneer way. Learn the science of maple. Pure maple products for sale. Cost: $4 per child, $6 per adult, $20 family maximum. For more information, visit http://erca.org/maple/.

ESSEX COUNTY FIELD NATURALISTS' MEETING

March 9, 2016: 7:30pm
Ojibway Nature Centre, 5200 Matchette Road, Windsor

Annual General Meeting

Join Club members to hear updates on last year's activities and finances, and to learn of future plans. Everyone is welcome!

NATIVE TREE WALK

March 13, 2016: 2:00pm
Ojibway Nature Centre, 5200 Matchette Road, Windsor

Join Essex County Field Naturalists' Club member, Dave Kraus, for a workshop on tree identification. The event will be held at the Ojibway Nature Centre and outdoors if weather permits. There is no cost for this workshop and everyone is welcome!

MAPLE MOON

March 15, 2016: 7:00pm-8:30pm

John R. Park Homestead, 915 County Road 50, Harrow

Join us for an old-fashioned sugaring off party! Help collect sap and boil it down by moonlight. Make taffy on the snow, join in the barn dance, linger for star gazing and legends. Pre-registration required. Cost: $15/person. Register here.

BELLE ISLE STEWARDSHIP DAY

March 19, 2016: 9:00am-noon
Nashua Trail, Belle Isle, MI

Join the DNR and Belle Isle Conservancy for stewardship Saturdays. Our winter project will focus on cutting invasive shrubs, especially glossy and common buckthorn and honeysuckle, to restore the wet mesic flatwoods on the island. We will work in areas that are wet much of the year and (hopefully) have an easier time getting through them while things are frozen. Meet on Woodside Drive at the trailhead parking area just north of the canal bridge. From The Strand, pass the athletic fields and Vista Drive, then turn left at the next road (there is a brick bathroom building at the corner). For more information, contact Laurel Malvitz at 313-331-7760. Register here.

MARSH MONITORING PROGRAM TRAINING WORKSHOP

March 19, 2016: 9:30am-2:00pm
Hillman Marsh Conservation Area, 1826 Mersea Road 2, Leamington, ON

We are looking for wetland enthusiasts willing to adopt a local marsh and spend about 10 hours per year as a volunteer surveyor of marsh birds and amphibians. Volunteers will be trained at this workshop to monitor amphibians and/or marsh birds. Experienced birders welcome, but prior experience is not necessary. Attendees will learn the various calls and how to record the presence of marsh species. A great way to learn about and support local wildlife. The event is free but space is limited. For more information, click here or contact Caroline Biribauer, Outreach Coordinator (ERCA), at: 519-776-5209, ext. 245 or cbiribauer@erca.org.

GO WILD GROW WILD EXPO

April 2, 2016: 10:00am-4:00pm
Metroland Media Agriplex, Western Fair District, London

Go Wild Grow Wild Expo is a celebration of all that is extraordinary in Carolinian Canada! A gathering of the region's businesses, experts, organizations and groups to provide you with the inspiration to Go Wild Grow Wild! For the retiree, student, family or young person, there will be workshops, live demonstrations and booths to help connect you with the key people and places of the region. For more information or to buy tickets, visit http://gowildgrowwild.ca/expo.

FRIENDS OF THE DETROIT RIVER RIVERKEEPER DINNER

April 9, 2016: doors open at 6:00pm
Wyandotte Boat Club, 1 Pine Street, Wyandotte, MI

Help the Friends of the Detroit River keep the Detroit Riverkeeper boat out on the water! You are cordially invited to attend the annual Riverkeeper Fundraising Dinner. Enjoy a catered dinner, door prizes, raffle, silent auction and a presentation on Belle Island restoration projects and the Riverkeeper Program. For more information or to purchase tickets, please visit www.detroitriver.org.

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.

Garlic Mustard Task Force Coordinator - The Riverwood Conservancy, Mississauga, ON (Closing Date: March 2, 2016)
Labourer - Burford Nursery - Grand River Conservation Authority, Burford, ON (Closing Date: March 2, 2016)
Conservation Officer - Ministry of Environment, Prince George, BC (Closing Date: March 3, 2016)
Tree Planters - Upper Thames Valley Conservation Authority, London, ON (Closing Date: March 4, 2016)
Wetland Conservation Technician - Ducks Unlimited Canada, The Pas, MB (Closing Date: March 4, 2016)
Conservation Area Seasonal Support Staff - Long Point Region Conservation Authority, Tillsonburg, ON (Closing Date: March 6, 2016)
Geotechnical Engineer - Toronto and Region Conservation Authority, Vaughan, ON (Closing Date: March 6, 2016)
Land Resource Technician - Kettle Creek Conservation Authority, St. Thomas and Harrietsville, ON (Closing Date: March 6, 2016)
Tree Planters - Kettle Creek Conservation Authority, St. Thomas, ON (Closing Date: March 6, 2016)
Lands & Operations Assistant - Nottawasaga Valley Conservation Authority, Utopia, ON (Closing Date: March 8, 2016)
Camp Director - Blue Lake Centre, Cranbrook, BC (Closing Date: March 11, 2016)
Conservation Land Negotiator - Ducks Unlimited Canada, Camrose, AB (Closing Date: March 11, 2016)
Assistant Water Resources Technician - Long Point Region Conservation Authority, Tillsonburg, ON (Closing Date: March 13, 2016)
Tree Planters - Essex Region Conservation Authority, Essex, ON (Closing Date: March 13, 2016)
Wildlife Technician - Montana State University, Northern Black Hills, SD (Closing Date: March 15, 2016)
Seasonal Park Naturalist - Algonquin Provincial Park, Whitney, ON (Closing Date: March 18, 2016)
Shrike Recovery Biologist - Wildlife Preservation Canada, Carden or Napanee, ON (Closing Date: March 25, 2016)
Various opportunities at Ontario Conservation Authorities

Stay Connected

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.