Peche Island Erosion and Habitat Protection Work Complete

November 10, 2022


Three years of work to provide long-term erosion protection for Peche Island are now complete.


In collaboration with the Essex Region Conservation Authority (ERCA), City staff oversaw the creation of natural barriers, in the form of nine sheltering islands and a 600-metre revetment wall, installed in the water along the north and northeast sides of the island aimed at preventing erosion damage and enhancing fish habitat.


Due to strong river currents and heavy wave action from freighters, Peche Island has decreased in area by nearly 17 acres since 1931. Erosion control measures were taken where over 5,605 tonnes of stone and rock were laid along the northeast shoreline to create a 600-metre-long revetment wall, and over 11,785 tonnes of stone and rock were expertly placed on the north side of Peche Island to construct nine offshore sheltering islands, each measuring 50 metres in length. The primary purpose is for erosion control, where the sheltering islands also provide enhancement of fish habitat, particularly for the species-at-risk Northern Madtom.


The project cost approximately $4.5 million and was paid for by a partnership of City, ERCA, and various funding sources.


Quotes:

“Peche Island is a treasure for our city and region. This work is going to help ensure the island remains a recreation destination and protected environmental habitat for generations to come.” – Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens


“This project is a tremendous example of how all three levels of government can work together to solve shoreline erosion issues and build aquatic habitat at the same time. The project will mitigate the loss of further land on Pêche Island, which will also help with local water quality by reducing soil erosion. We are already seeing the positive effects of the habitat features built with the submerged aquatic vegetation beginning to grow and mature.” – ERCA Director of Conservation Services Kevin Money

NOAA Western Lake Erie Harmful Algal Bloom Season Assessment

Figure taken from the November 16 2022 NOAA Western Lake Erie Harmful Algal Bloom Seasonal Assessment. Bloom severity index (SI) for 2002 to 2022. The SI is based on the amount of biomass over the peak 30-days.

The final Western Lake Erie Harmful Algal Bloom Seasonal Assessment was released on November 16 2022 by NOAA.


The harmful algal bloom in Lake Erie this summer was given a severity score of 6.8 on a 10 point scale. This is considered to be a moderately severe bloom. The bloom developed in mid-July and peaked in late August, lasting for several weeks through the middle of September. It ended up being a greater severity than predicted (4 – 5.5), likely due to the length of the bloom season driven by the hot, dry weather extending into October.



Read the summary report here

Environmental Excellence to be Awarded

Essex Region Conservation is seeking nominees who have made an environmental impact in the Place for Life! The 2022 Conservation Awards will honour and recognize those in the community who have made outstanding contributions towards improving our natural environment, sustaining and enriching the Essex Region as the Place for Life. The annual Awards will be presented to individuals and organizations in four categories: 

 

The Youth Award recognizes a youth leader who has undertaken conservation projects or is engaged in addressing the climate crisis and is a student in the elementary or secondary schools of our region. 

 

The Education Award for excellence in conservation education programs or climate action engagement in schools, organizations, companies, youth groups, etc. 

 

The Volunteer Award for outstanding effort in volunteering time and services for conservation programs and projects; 

 

The Environmental Achievement Award for programs or projects which have enhanced the region’s sustainability in a significant way. In addition to individuals and organizations, municipalities can also be nominated for environmental achievements. 

 

Nominations can be submitted online or nominators can simply write a one page summary of the individual or organizational accomplishments that merit the receipt of the award. Please be sure to include the category, name, address and phone number of the nominee, in addition to your own name, address and telephone number. Nominations close on Friday, December 16, 2022. The awards, presented since 1992, will be announced at ERCA’s Annual General Meeting in January 2023.  

Proposed Ojibway National Urban Park Updates

Parks Canada has launched a new program to create a network of national urban parks across Canada in order to support access to nature in urban centres. National urban parks will contribute to conservation of nature in urban areas and biodiversity goals, provide access to nature for people living in major urban centres, and advance reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples. The City of Windsor is collaborating with Parks Canada and numerous partners (Walpole Island First Nation, Caldwell First Nation, Ontario Parks, Ministry of Transportation Ontario, Town of LaSalle, Hydro One) in the initial stages of exploring a National Urban Park centred on the Ojibway Prairie Complex.


The proposed national urban park may be one of a network of parks across Canada under the National Urban Parks program launched by Parks Canada in 2021. The purpose of these parks is to protect nature in urban areas, connect people with nature, and advance reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples through respecting and fostering Indigenous knowledge, stewardship, and a "two-eyed" seeing approach to their management. First Nations traditional territory holders, Walpole Island and Caldwell First Nations, are envisioned to play an important leadership role.


Fall 2022 City of Windsor Survey


Share how you currently use the park, what particular sites you value and why. Also share your thoughts on the scope and extent of the proposed park.


The survey will take 10 to 15 minutes to complete. Your responses are completely anonymous and please do not include any personal information in your responses. 

Please submit your completed survey by December 15, 2022.

Take the City of Windsor survey

Advocacy for the Proposed Ojibway National Urban Park


The Friends of Ojibway Prairie (FOOP) is a volunteer organization dedicated to promoting public awareness of the Ojibway Prairie Complex and its unique biological and historical importance. The Friends work closely with the City of Windsor and Ontario Parks to provide assistance with educational programs, special events and restoration projects. 


Members have recently testified at an environmental committee hearing for Bill C-248 regarding four key priorities to increase the National Urban Park (NUP) to better protect wildlife and limit development, engage Indigenous communities and protect ecological integrity of the site.


There are two parallel processes that are running concurrently to make the NUP a reality locally. Bill C-248, An Act to amend the Canada National Parks Act (Ojibway National Urban Park of Canada) is a federal NDP supported bill seeking to create the NUP through legislation via an amendment to the National Parks Act. The federal Liberal government is supporting a Parks Canada process to create the NUP through policy.


On November 15th, Bill C-248 was passed without amendment by the Environment and Sustainable Development (ENVI) Committee of Parliament and will proceed back to the House of Commons for third reading. Watch here.


Several collaborative amendments were proposed but deemed inadmissible by the chair as new concepts that were not envisioned in the proposed bill as written. These included:

  • A Community Advisory Committee to advise on management of the park.
  • A mechanism to add and remove lands to the boundaries of the park.
  • Standards for consultation with Indigenous communities that would need to be met prior to the park's creation
  • Approval of the Ontario government before provincial lands could be transferred for the park's creation
  • Incorporation of laws and by-laws that would apply to the park


The Friends of Ojibway Prairie will continue to share information regarding the progress of Bill C-248 as it becomes available. Stay in touch, and share your thoughts! Email friendsofojibway@gmail.com.

The Ojibway Prairie Complex. Image courtesy of the City of Windsor.

Read the Friends of Ojibway Prairie submission to the environment and sustainable development standing committee

myWATERSHED - a new videogame!

The myWATERSHED video game teaches watershed management. (Photo courtesy of University of Windsor, Department of Integrative Biology)

Today, many educators are experimenting with unique forms of instruction to increase student engagement in the classroom and encourage critical thinking. To help accomplish this, researchers from the University of Windsor and Sheridan College have developed a new video game, myWATERSHED, to train and empower youth to take on the challenge of ecological restoration and reconnect with nature.


Like outdoor activities and team-building exercises, video games may be considered a form of experiential learning. myWATERSHED is considered a sandbox video game in which the players are not constrained to achieving specific goals and have a large degree of freedom to explore, interact with, or modify the game environment.

Read the Great Lakes Now article

EcoAction Community Funding Program

Environment and Climate Change Canada's (ECCC) EcoAction Community Funding Program is now accepting applications for funding until December 8 2022 at 12:00 PST / 15:00 EST for projects beginning summer 2023. 

 

Funding is available for new projects that engage Canadians and clearly demonstrate measurable, positive results related to the key Environmental Priority: Fresh Water.

 

Your project must address the following Priority Result: Canadians contribute to improving freshwater quality through actions that reduce harmful substances in freshwater and/or restore and protect freshwater ecosystem health.


Preference will be given to proposals that engage Indigenous Peoples, youth or small businesses. All proposals must fully meet program requirements.

 

For more information on this funding opportunity, please visit the EcoAction Community Funding Program. In addition, the EcoAction Applicant’s Guide for the Call for Proposals is available on our website.

Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement: IJC Seeks Public Input on the Canadian and US Governments' 2022 Progress Report of the Parties

As part of its responsibilities under the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement, the International Joint Commission (IJC) seeks public input on the Canadian and US governments' 2022 Progress Report of the Parties (PROP). This opportunity is ongoing until December 23 2022. 


For an overview of the PROP, explore these presentations: Lake Superior; Lake Michigan; Lake Huron; Lake Erie; Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River; Great Lakes basinwide


Online survey

A survey is available to provide your input on the governments' 2022 PROP and the water quality in your Great Lake. You can provide general comments or comments on specific government programs. Completing the survey should take 15 minutes. The survey is available here: ijc.org/en/survey-2022-prop


Fall 2022 Webinars

In the fall of 2022, the IJC will host a series of public webinars to receive public comment. Links to register for these webinars for December are below.


Submit written comment


Canadian Section 

Attn: International Joint Commission - 2022 PROP Input

Canadian Section Office

234 Laurier Avenue West, 22nd Floor 

Ottawa ON K1P 6K6

Canada


US Section

Attn: International Joint Commission - 2022 PROP Input

US Section Office

1717 H Street NW, Suite 835

Washington DC 20006

United States

Click here for more information  

Province Continues to Change Roles and Responsibilities of Conservation Authorities

In a bid to address the housing supply, the Ontario government released a series of new proposed legislative changes, many of which impact Ontario’s 36 conservation authorities.


Among them, the Province proposes to prevent municipalities from entering into agreements with conservation authorities to review planning applications on their behalf, proposes exemptions from natural hazard permits for select municipalities where Planning Act approvals are in place, remove ‘conservation of lands’ and ‘pollution’ as considerations in permit decisions, to put a freeze on development fees and to possibly tap into conservation lands to support housing.


To date, conservation authorities have supported the Province’s efforts to increase the housing supply by streamlining and speeding up review and approval processes for plan applications and permits.

Read the media release

Michigan State University Drinking Water Survey

What do you think about the water you drink? Researchers at Michigan State University are conducting a survey to learn more about your thoughts and perceptions concerning risks to drinking water in Michigan, with a focus on PFAS. Participation in the survey puts you in the drawing to receive a $25 Amazon gift card.

Take the survey

Introducing the Nibi Chronicles, a new Great Lakes Now monthly feature

November is Native American Heritage Month, and this month we're excited to introduce "The Nibi Chronicles" — a new feature in Great Lakes Now by Staci Lola Drouillard, author and direct descendant of the Grand Portage Band of Ojibwe.  



"Nibi" means water in Ojibwe, and these monthly features will explore the intersection of indigenous history and culture in the modern-day Great Lakes region. Click below to read her first column!

Read more here
Days Worth Mentioning
Wildlife Conservation Day- December 4

World Wildlife Conservation Day falls every December 4th to raise awareness and engage conversations about species that are endangered or under threat of extinction because of poaching, trafficking and other environmental factors. 



DYK that 8 species of turtle live in Ontario, the majority of which are listed as species at risk? The DRCC has previously monitored snapping turtles in marshes along the Detroit River for deformities.

Learn more about Ontario Turtles
World Soil Day-December 5

World Soil Day (WSD) is held annually as a means to focus attention on the importance of healthy soil and to advocate for the sustainable management of soil resources.



DYK That most of the soil in Essex County is Brookston Clay, which has poor natural drainage?

Read the Soil Survey of Essex County
Upcoming Local Events
Save the date for these great local events! Contact the organizers for more information.

Christmas in the Country and Makers' Market

December 4 2022, 11am to 14pm, John R. Park Homestead, 1915 Essex County Road 50, Harrow, ON


The John R. Park Homestead is a historic 1842 living farm museum and a unique destination location in our region. It has been voted as the ‘Best of Windsor-Essex’ for museum/heritage space for the last three years. The museum by the lake is located at 915 County Rd. 50, Harrow, along Essex County’s beautiful wine route. During the Holiday Makers’ Market event, the historic Park Family home will be decorated for the festive season with all natural materials gathered from forest and farm, and costumed interpreters will provide guests with an authentic 1850’s holiday experience, including delicious mulled cider and roasted chestnuts.

Candlelight Christmas at the Homestead

December 9 2022, 7pm to 9pm, John R. Park Homestead, 1915 Essex County Road 50, Harrow, ON


Join the Homesteaders on December 9, 2022 for candlelight Christmas at the Homestead.

Have you ever wondered about the origins of Christmas traditions? See the 1842 house decorated with natural materials from farm and forest. Craft a traditional ornament, bake on the hearth, and ring the sleigh bells. Costumed guides will take visitors through the house and farm after sundown. Various stops along the way offer guests a seasonal participation experience straight from the days of John and Amelia Park. 

Cost for the event is $15.00 a person. Pre-registration is required. Tickets available here. 

Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement Nutrients Annex Webinar: 2022 Lake Erie Update

Please join us on Thursday, December 8 from 1:30-3:00pm ET / 12:30-2:00pm CT for a public webinar that will provide updates on work under the Nutrients Annex of the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement (GLWQA). This webinar will summarize ongoing efforts to manage excess phosphorus loads that are leading to toxic and nuisance algal blooms and hypoxia in Lake Erie.

Topics that will be covered include:


  • Current conditions in Lake Erie, including nutrient loading and severity of blooms.
  • Progress being made under the domestic action plans to reduce phosphorus loads from the U.S. and Canada.
  • Efforts to measure progress using an adaptive management approach.

The webinar will be led by representatives from the United States Environmental Protection Agency and Environment and Climate Change Canada, and will include presentations by experts from the Nutrients Annex Subcommittee. The webinar is open to the public.


REGISTER HERE


For more information, please contact Carol Kim (Carol.Kim@ec.gc.ca).


We look forward to your participation in the webinar!

Self-guided Dark Sky Night

December 17 2022, 7:30pm to 11:59pm, Point Pelee National Park, 1118 Point Pelee Dr, Leamington, ON N8H 3V4


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 please contact us at pelee.info@pc.gc.ca.

Making Gorgeous Pollinator Gardens using Native Plants: How to do it! with Clement Kent

January 17 2023, 7pm to 8pm (EST),virtual webinar with the North American Native Plant Society


Making a pollinator garden using native plants can be tons of fun, but there are real challenges. This talk will show lovely examples of wonderful gardens but will also highlight problems and how to overcome them. We'll look at working on a tiny budget, getting permissions in a timely way, getting young plants established during record breaking droughts, battling invasive weeds, and keeping neighbours or municipalities from destroying established gardens. There are solutions to all these problems, and we hope you and your neighbours will be inspired to do more and better rewilding using these ideas.


Clement Kent wrote "How to Make a Pollinator Garden" in 2011, and has helped create many public PGs since then, all using native plants. He co-founded Project Swallowtail, a program to help people create pollinator gardens which has over 800 participants in the GTA and elsewhere. He co-founded the Parkdale Horticultural Society and serves on the board, and is an adjunct professor of biology at York University focusing on insect genetics. As a member of the Advisory Group for the City of Toronto's Pollinator Protections Strategy, he focused on ways of building corridors of native plantings to connect larger green spaces for the benefit of pollinators.


Please check back! Link to register will be available shortly.

Shiver on the River Ecology Family Fair

February 3 2023, 10am to 3pm, Dossin Great Lakes Museum, Belle Isle, Michigan, USA


Save the date! The annual Shiver on the River event will take place February 3rd 2023. We hope to see you there!

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.  
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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.