Take a walk through history with our Story Maps!

Do you remember when the Windsor riverfront used to be a railyard with little public access to the river? Explore the astonishing transformation that's taken place over the last 85 years with our new Story Map! This mapping tool uses aerial images of the river from 1931 and 1988 to enable visitors to interact with before-and-after imagery of a series of soft shoreline redevelopment locations along the entire length of the Detroit River.

Over 50 years ago, the City of Windsor embarked on a major program of Detroit Riverfront property acquisitions, with the eventual goal of uninterrupted public ownership of seven kilometers of shoreline from the Hiram Walker Distillery to the Ambassador Bridge. Since then, the City has been proactive in undertaking shoreline restoration work, ensuring residents could enjoy a continuous riverfront open space network for generations to come. Through the DRCC partnership, in cooperation with ERCA and with funding from federal and provincial governments, the City incorporated fish habitat and sloping revetment into many of the riverfront redevelopment designs, replacing important habitat that had been lost when the shoreline was developed. Unlike a steel breakwall, which impedes the growth of plants, soft shorelines, also known as living or green shorelines, grow over time and provide homes for many species.
Protecting Ojibway Shores
 
There have been some exciting developments in the pursuit for protection of Ojibway Shores. On August 2nd, the City of Windsor announced plans to expropriate 9 acres of private waterfront land in Sandwich Towne in order to facilitate a land exchange with the Windsor Port Authority for Ojibway Shores. Members of the Detroit River Canadian Cleanup Public Advisory Council have been advocating for the protection of this property for over 15 years and applaud this move by city council. At last report the process is moving extremely well. 
 
Ojibway Shores should be saved by an means necessary. Why is it so important? It's the last remaining natural shorelines on the Detroit River in Windsor. A bioblitz in 2014-2015 carried out by the Essex County Field Naturalists' Club determined that 28 provincially and federally protected species call the area home. One third of its 33 acres is a Provincially Significant Wetland. To build a dock or a building on that green gem would be a travesty against nature.
 
Tom Henderson, Chair
DRCC Public Advisory Council 
 
Join us at Open Street Windsor for World Rivers Day! September 23, 2018 - 10 a.m. to 3 p.m
World Rivers Day falls on the last Sunday of September as a celebration of the world's waterways. It highlights the many values of our rivers, strives to increase public awareness, and encourages the improved stewardship of all rivers around the world. 

We'll be at set up at the University Hub of Open Streets that day! So come find us and tell us what YOU love about the Detroit River! Open Streets are unique events that have been held in over 100 cities in North America and involve the temporary closure of roadways to vehicular traffic, allowing people to use them for a host of healthy and fun physical activities. For more information and for a map of the route, click HERE!
Extra! Extra! Read all about it!   
The Detroit River and Great Lakes 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. 
Dark Sky Night and Let's Get Batty
Satuday September 8 2018, 7:30pm, Point pelee National Park Visitor Centre, 1118 Point Pelee Drive, Leamington, ON. 
Not only are birds and butterflies migrating in September, but it's also a prime time for bats. Join a park interpreter for a short theatre presentation about bats, before heading out on a hike. The interpreter will pull out a bat detector and you'll listen for the distinct clicking patterns that each different species makes. Stay after the hike and enjoy a late summer evening and starry night sky.
Swift Night Out
Sunday September 9, 2018, 7:15pm to 8:30pm, Walkerville Collegiate Institute, 2100 Richmond St, Windsor, ON.  
Join Bird Studies Canada, the Essex County Field Naturalists' Club and Swift Watch to witness the amazing spectacle of Chimney Swifts diving into a single chimney to roost for the night. Meet in the west field by the tennis courts. Bring a lawn chair. For more information contact ontarioswiftwatch@birdscanada.org.
Essex County Field Naturalists' Club Member Meeting
Wednesday September 12, 2018, 7:30pm, Ojibway Nature Centre, 5200 Matchette Road, Windsor, ON.  
Join the Essex County Field Naturalists' Club in welcoming Bob Pettit from Holiday Beach Migration Observatory with a talk about hawk migration and identification. For more information, please contact Carl Maiolani 519-972-1399, Membership Secretary, Essex County Field Naturalists' Club. 
Fall Flight and Harvest Weekend
Friday September 14 to Sunday September 16, 2018, various locations and times, Pelee Island, ON.  
A weekend packed with nature events and the Harvest Dinner, including a special dinner speaker on insect migration! Register for the dinner at: www.peleeislandmuseum.ca/events
 
Some weekend highlights include:
  • Friday afternoon: cycling tour, trail walks, films, and dinner at the new Stone House 1891 Restaurant.
  • Saturday: Birding at Fish Point, bee demonstration, trail walks, film showing, crafts at Pelee Art Works, boat outings, and the 10th Annual Harvest Dinner, with speaker Gard Otis; "Butterflies & Dragonflies: The Other Fall Migrants"
  • Sunday: Birding at Fish Point, trail walks, boat outings, crafts at Pelee ArtWorks, wrap-up get-together before the 4:00pm ferry.
Third Saturday Public (Volunteer) Canal Clean-up (Keep Belle Isle Beautiful Programming)
Saturday September 15, 2018, 9am to 12pm, Belle Isle, Detroit MI. 
Festival of Hawks
Weekends of September 15,16 and 22, 23 2018, Holiday Beach Conservation Area, 6952 50 Cr, Amherstburg, ON.  
Join experts from the Holiday Beach Migration Observatory for this natural spectacle. Watch thousands of birds of prey flying overheard. Take in free programs hosted by local experts and see live hawks and owls up close. A great family event for experts and amateurs alike. Programs are free with the festival admission fee of $15 per vehicle. More info here.
Fall Hiking
Thursdays, September 20 to November 29, 10am to 11:30am, Ojibway Nature Centre, 5200 Matchette Road, Windsor.  
Exercise body and brain during a brisk morning walk with one of Ojibway Nature Centre's naturalists. Explore and meet new friends! Thursdays, September 20 - November 29, 10-11:30am. Cost is $80/11 weeks.
International Plowing Match and Rural Expo
Tuesday September 18 to Saturday September 22, Pain Court, ON. 
Be a part of history! Join the International Plowmen's Association in Pain Court, ON and other partners in the agricultural community September 18 to 25. The IPM features events such as an opening parade, a plough match, antique and modern technology and many exhibitors. For more info: https://www.plowingmatch.org/ipm2018.    
Belle Isle Park Advisory Committee Meeting
Thursday September 20 2018, 9am to 11am, Belle Isle Nature Zoo, Flynn Pavilion - Near Intersection of Picnic Way & Loiter Way, Belle Isle, Detroit, MI, 48207.  
Please visit their website for past agendas, meeting minutes, and additional information! 
Open Streets Windsor
Sunday September 23, 2018, 10am to 3pm, various locations, Windsor, ON.  
Look for the DRCC and ERCA tents at the University Hub! For more information and a route map, click HERE.
All Ages - Hillman Marsh Nature Hike
Tuesday September 25 2018, 6pm to 9pm, Hillman Marsh Conservation Area, 1826 Mersea Rd 2, Leamington, ON.  
Join Essex Region Conservation and experts from the Essex County Field Naturalists' Club on a nature hike at Hillman Marsh Conservation Area! This is a great opportunity to get outdoors, explore the Place for Life and meet others in one of the best locations to see marsh life and other unique habitat types. Bring your favourite binoculars and field guides! For more information, please contact Gina at gpannunzio@erca.org or 519-776-5209 ext. 245.
Ontario Field Ornithologists Annual Convention
Friday September 28 to Sunday September 30 2018, various times and locations. 
Fall migration is underway and if you haven't already done so it's time to register for the OFO Annual Convention in Leamington! There are multiple field trips taking place Windsor-Essex County. Read more about the convention and register online at:  http://www.ofo.ca/convention/index.
Essex Region Conservation Bike Tour
Saturday September 29 2018, 8am to 4pm, Mettawas Park, Kingsville, ON. 
The Essex Region Conservation Bike Tour incorporates all the last sights of summer. Whether you are touring through picturesque country roads and along historic County Road 50, or meandering the off-road nature ride on the Chrysler Canada and Cypher Systems Group Greenways, this event is not to be missed. Come out for a great ride and help raise funds for our local trail system. This year, all routes will begin and end at Mettawas Park in Kingsville, and will feature a lakefront festival with local food and entertainment! For more information please contact Peter Baldwin at   pbaldwin@erca.org .


The Detroit River Canadian Cleanup 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 goal is to remove the Detroit River from the list of Great Lakes Areas of Concern.