It's Summer Field Season!
It's summer monitoring season on the river and, once again, there's a lot of scientific research happening as part of the Detroit River Remedial Action Plan. Keeping the river a healthy and vibrant ecosystem takes multiple partners collaborating and implementing projects.  

Progress on restoring the river is measured by 14 beneficial use impairments, or BUIs. A beneficial use is the ability of all living organisms (including humans) to use the Great Lakes without adverse effects. As of 2017, the  Detroit River Canadian Area of Concern (AOC) has 7 impaired beneficial uses, 6 unimpaired, and 1 requiring further assessment. Monitoring and  research provide the scientific evidence to determine when a BUI is no longer impaired.  

What's happening in the river?
Fisheries and Oceans Canada will be surveying a variety of sites along the Detroit River to prioritize aquatic restoration actions. This work also includes conducting fish surveys to determine what species are found within the areas of interest.

A great deal of attention is paid to wetlands along the river because they play an integral role in the ecology of the watershed. The combination of shallow water, high levels of nutrients and primary productivity is ideal for the development of organisms that form the base of the food web and feed many species of fish, amphibians, and insects. Many species of birds and mammals rely on wetlands for food, water and shelter, especially during migration and breeding.

The Canadian Wildlife Service monitors coastal wetlands for water quality, underwater bugs, fish and wildlife, and vegetation. Additionally, researchers at t he Great Lakes Institute of Environmental Researcher at the University of Windsor are studying the light environment in wetlands to determine if it limits the growth of aquatic plants.
Detroit River Family Fishing Day
In partnership with Caesars Windsor Cares, the Detroit River Canadian Cleanup (DRCC) hosted a free Family Fishing Day at Assumption Park in Windsor on July 8, 2017. This inaugural event took place during Ontario Family Fishing Event week when residents can fish in Ontario waters without the mandatory license. With the help of volunteers and expert anglers from Just Fishing Friends and the Windsor Sportsmen's Club, over 100 participants experienced fishing on the Detroit River!

The DRCC was also on hand to provide information to participants about restoration and clean up projects, stats on increasing fish populations, and how to safely consume fish from the river. The Detroit River Canadian Cleanup would like to thank Wally's Baits, the Windsor Sportsmen's Club and the Lakeshore Sportsmen and Conservation Club for supporting this event and providing angling equipment donations for participants to take home! Special thanks to Just Fishin' Friends for providing their expert angling advice and introducing participants to the sport. Big thanks to all our volunteers who made this event happen!

To see the CTV Windsor coverage, click here.
To see more photos of the event click here.  
DRCC Delivers Wastewater Education to Youth
Brochure Cover
On July 25, the DRCC provided a fun and interactive wastewater education program to youth attending the City of Windsor's day camp at the Gino and Liz Marcus community centre. The youngsters learned about the importance of protecting and conserving water, especially in Windsor, as the Detroit River is the drinking water source. As part of the presentation, students passed around household items such as wipes, toilet paper, dental floss, pet hair, toys, cotton swabs, food wrappers, produce stickers and more to sort out what can go down the drain or toilet and what can't. Short story, most of these items can't.
It's only #1, #2 and toilet paper.

Need a refresher? Check out the Wastewater, Where does it Go? video and download a copy of the Protecting our River from your Household Chemical Waste pamphlet!
Herb Gray Parkway Vegetation and Snakes Fact Sheet
An information fact sheet on snakes for property owners published by the Ministry of Transportation relating to the Herb Gray Parkway is now available. The fact sheet introduces snakes native to the area as well as best management practices landowners can adopt to protect them.

Download the fact sheet here.
Extra! Extra! Read all about it!   
The Detroit River in the news. Here are some links to articles that may pique your interest. Click the link  to read on.  
Upcoming Events  
Save the date for these great local events! Contact the organizer for more information. 
Full Moon Float
Saturday August 5th 2017, River Canard Canoe Co., 9350 Malden Road, LaSalle. Starts at 10:00pm.  
Full Moon Float - experience the moon over the Canard River as you paddle the quiet silk waters - bullfrogs, owls and other species fill the night sky. Join the river guides for this remarkable experience. Special rates of $20.00 for all canoe or kayaks. Call 519-734-8558 for more information.
Sciensational Ssnakes
Saturday August 5th to 6th 2017, Point Pelee National Park 
Are you curious about the secret lives of reptiles? Interested in where they live or what they eat? Point Pelee National Park is pleased to welcome Sciensational Sssnakes!! which provides hands-on education about reptiles and amphibians to audiences of all ages. Their presentation will include information about the animals, their ecology and conservation issues as well as a session in which participants are able to interact, touch and hold the animals. The team will be on hand with a variety of reptiles, some of which can be found in Point Pelee National Park.
Prescribed Burns Talk
Wednesday August 9th, 2017, 7:30pm, Ojibway Nature Centre, 5200 Matchette Road, Windsor. 
Hosted by the Essex County Field Naturalists Club, a prescribed burns talk will take place at the August monthly meeting, delivered by Brian Burnette. For questions, please contact Carl Maiolani, Membership Secretary, carlmaiolani@cogeco.ca.
Windsor-Essex Community Benefits Coalition
Wednesday August 9th, 2017, 6pm to 8pm, Life After Fifty, 635 McEwan Ave, Windsor, ON 
The Gordie Howe International Bridge is a generational infrastructure project for Windsor Essex County with a Community Benefit Agreements being a required element. The Windsor/Essex Community Benefit Coalition is hosting a focus group to discuss the opportunities and benefits as well as ways to get involved and contribute to the region's future. Seating is limited. For questions or registration, please contact communitybenefits@weareunited.com or United Way Office (519) 258-0000 c 1179.
Science Saturday
Saturday August 12th 2017, Belle Isle Aquarium, 12pm to 3pm, Detroit, MI   
Allow guest speakers to lead you on an interesting science journey at Science Saturday! Lectures will be twenty minutes in length each and are held at 12pm, 1pm and 2pm. Come and learn something new! For more information please e-mail info@belleisleconservancy.rg or visit their website here for past presentations.
Perseid Meteor Celebration
Saturday August 12th to 13th 2017, Point Pelee National Park 
Point Pelee National Park will be staying open all night to view the peak of this annual meteor shower. Join members of RASC at West Beach later in the evening and enjoy the meteor show. Park open all night between August 12 and 13.
Lost Arts Festival
Saturday August 13th 2017, John R. Park Homestead, Essex County Rd 50 & Iler Rd, Harrow, ON, 12pm to 4pm 
Celebrate summer with the region's original makers' faire. See demonstrations of lost arts and visit the voyageur encampment. Stay to enjoy hands-on activities, live music, livestock displays and games for kids.
Belle Isle Park Advisory Committee Meeting
Thursday August 17th 2017, 9:00am to 11:00am, Belle Isle Nature Zoo, Flynn Pavilion - Near Intersection of Picnic Way & Loiter Way, Belle Isle, Detroit, MI, 48207
Please see their website for past agendas, meeting minutes, and additional information!
Stewardship Saturday
Saturday August 19th 2017, Belle Isle Park, 9am to 12pm, Detroit, MI   
Join the DNR and Belle Isle Conservancy for Stewardship Saturdays. The May and June project will include searching for and pulling a non-native, invasive woodland weed called garlic mustard to restore the rare wet mesic flatwoods forest on the island. For questions or more information please e-mail Laurel Malvitz-Draper, DNR Resource Steward for the Stewardship Unit at malvitz@michigan.gov. *Location: Meet on Central Avenue, just east of Portage Way (FYI, this street is listed as Meadow Rd in google maps*
We're Goin' on a Bug Hunt
Sunday August 20th 2017, Brunet Park, LaSalle,  1pm to 3pm 
Get to know those crawlies before you call them "creepy". Meet with Angela Demarse, amateur entomologist, for a leisurely hike through Brunet Park. We'll talk about the major categories of insects in an active learning setting that engages both children and adults alike. Bring along a bug net and jar (one with vent holes is best) if you're interested in getting up-close and personal with Essex County's beautiful, colorful and sometimes strange variety of native insects. Hosted by the Essex County Field Naturalists Club.  For questions, please contact Carl Maiolani, Membership Secretary, carlmaiolani@cogeco.ca.
Wet & Wild Hawk Run
Sunday August 20th 2017, Holiday Beach CA, 6952 County Rd. 50, Harrow, ON, 10am to 1pm 
Get Wet. Be Wild. Participate in a 5k walk or run at the beautiful Holiday Beach Conservation Area. Held in partnership with WRACE. More information at erca.org/active or register online here.
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. 


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.