Sandwich Litter Cleanup Results
On September 11 2021, Essex Region Conservation Authority (ERCA), the Windsor Port Authority, and the Detroit River Canadian Cleanup (DRCC) worked with volunteers to remove accumulated debris and litter at Sandwich at McKee and Queen's Dock Parks in Sandwich. 31 volunteers removed a total of 310 lbs of garbage from the area! We collected some unique items including a baby gate and dolls. The most common item picked up was cigarette butts.

Funding for the Sandwich Litter Cleanup was provided by the Gordie Howe International Bridge Community Benefits Plan.
Peche Island
Construction on the Peche Island project has begun again! The project consists of a soft shoreline revetment on the northeast side of Peche Island and nine sheltering islands on the north side of Peche Island. Four of the nine sheltering islands have been constructed to date with plans to construct 2 additional islands this Fall as well as a portion of the revetment on the northeast side of the island.

Once the nine sheltering islands are all constructed, the project will create a calm water embayment where aquatic plants are expected to establish and provide approximately 10.5 hectares of habitat for fish and aquatic wildlife. Calm water areas, such as the one created by this project, are rare in the upper Detroit River.
Post Construction Monitoring
Researchers from the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) were out on the Detroit River earlier this month to assess the fish community and aquatic vegetation establishment in the backwater area behind the four sheltering islands constructed for the Peche Island project. Vegetation is starting to establish and several types of fish were caught including largemouth bass, brooks silverside, log perch, and yellow perch. Stay tuned for more results!
Sediment sampling to begin on American side of Detroit River
Beginning Sept. 8, and through October, scientists are on the American side of the Detroit River in the area of the Trenton Channel and on the lower Rouge River to gather samples that will be taken to a laboratory for analysis.

The work is intended to inform decisions on future remediation efforts through the rivers and is a step in the process to remediate, restore and revitalize the Detroit and Rouge rivers, eventually delisting them as Areas of Concern.
Bird Safe Window Contest
Days Worth Mentioning
World Migratory Bird Day - October 9
World Migratory Bird Day (WMBD) is an annual campaign highlighting the need for the conservation of migratory birds and their habitats.

Did you know that during this time of year the lower Detroit River becomes a corridor for migrating birds? Hundreds of thousands of migrating hawks, eagles, falcons, and vultures concentrate over the river and surrounding Canadian and American lands as they make their way south, making the Detroit River and Important Bird Area (IBA).
Waste Reduction Week - October 18-24
Waste Reduction Week in Canada focuses on the principles of circular economy, resource efficiency, and waste reduction. The program’s primary purpose is to celebrate our environmental efforts and achievements while encouraging new innovative ideas and solutions. 
Upcoming Local Events
Save the date for these great local events! Contact the organizers for more information. 
Self-guided Dark Sky Night
Saturday, October 2, 2021, evening, Point Pelee National Park, Leamington ON

Explore the park on your own after dark and experience the dark skies of Point Pelee. You will have the opportunity to stay late and see what goes on after dark. Note that there are no formal programs on these evenings. Visitors can pick up a seasonal star chart at the gate upon arrival. The park is open until midnight, unless otherwise stated. For more information contact: pc.pelee.info.pc@canada.ca.
Harvest Moon
Thursday, October 7, 2021, 7 pm to 8:30 pm, John R. Park Homestead, 915 County Rd. 50, Essex, ON

An unforgettable autumn evening family program. Get hands-on in the harvest as you make your own traditional craft, help to press the fresh apple cider and listen to a scary story by candlelight in the 1842 farm house. Come out for a rare opportunity to see the homestead after dark! Cost of admission is $15.00 per person. Covid safety protocols are in place; masks are required. Register here.
John R. Park After Dark – Tragic Tales and Pioneer Perils
Friday, October 22, 2021, 9 am to 3 pm, John R. Park Homestead, 915 County Rd. 50, Essex, ON

Join costumed guides and step back in time to walk in the footsteps of people from the past. These dark, but true, stories will lead you to appreciate the many hazards of daily pioneer life. This Halloween inspired event is geared towards adults. Come out for a rare opportunity to see the homestead after dark! Cost of admission is $15.00 per person. More information.
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.  
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.