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Join us on Tuesday, February 20th, 2024 at 7 pm for a free screening of two Water Brothers documentaries at the Imagine Lakeshore Cinemas, 164 Commercial Blvd, Tecumseh, ON.

The Water Brothers is an eco-adventure documentary series that reveals the current state of Ontario’s peatlands, wetlands, waterways, and soils. Join Canada’s favourite water ambassadors, Alex and Tyler Mifflin on a journey to investigate some of Ontario’s most pressing environmental challenges facing us today and highlight solutions to support the protection of humanity’s most precious resources.

The following episodes will be highlighted at the screening event:

“Paving Over Paradise” | About three quarters of southern Ontario’s wetlands are gone. How do we restore these vital habitats that help combat the effects of climate change?

“The Forever Chemicals” | A group of toxic chemicals known as PFAs are responsible for water-resistant properties of everyday products we use. But how dangerous are these “forever chemicals”?

DRCC staff will be in the lobby starting at 6:30 pm with a registration table and some educational displays, come say hello! Doors to the theater open at 6:30pm and the concession will be available to purchase drinks and snacks from. Following the documentaries, the DRCC will lead a panel discussion with experts to put a Great Lakes and Detroit River perspective on the documentaries. Panelists include Kate Arthur, Essex Region Conservation Authority, Dr. Cheryl Murphy, Michigan State University, Mark Burrows, International Joint Commission, Kathy Jones, Birds Canada, and Dr. John Hartig, University of Windsor.

The film screening is free but registration is required.

Join us at our Public Advisory Council Meeting

We are hosting our next joint Education and Public Involvement (EPI) Work Group and Public Advisory Council meeting at Riverside Public Library (6305 Wyandotte St E, Windsor, ON N8S 4S5) on February 28 from 4:30 to 6:30 pm. The Public Advisory Council is comprised of individuals with an interest in the health of the Detroit River and provide a route through which the public can provide input on the cleanup of the Detroit River. The Education and Public Involvement Work Group leads the implementation of education and public involvement recommendations of the Remedial Action Plan. All are welcome!

For those who are unable to make it in person, the meeting will also be broadcast online. Please e-mail the RAP coordinator for online access details.

The DRCC would like to congratulate the Detroit River related winners of Essex Region Conservation Authority's environmental Awards. The awards were given out at ERCA's general meeting.

Dr. John Hartig won the Environmental Achievement Award for a career dedicated to improving the health of the Great Lakes and the Detroit River Corridor, including roles as the Detroit River Navigator, Refuge Manager for the Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge, and his current role as Visiting Scholar at the Great Lakes Institute for Environmental Research at the University of Windsor.

The Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority won the other Environmental Achievement Award for numerous environmental sustainability priorities in its construction and through its Community Benefits Plan. Some of these include the integration of energy-efficient LED and low-maintenance lighting, installation of a peregrine falcon box on the bridge to facilitate nesting, the relocation of over 2,600 SAR plants and 2,000 seeds from native prairie species from the site prior to construction, employing green infrastructure and stormwater management design principles, and brownfield reclamation. Through its Community Benefits plan, dozens of environmental improvement projects have been implemented.

At the meeting, ERCA also released their Annual Report and corresponding video.

2024 Ontario Fishing Regulations now available

The 2024 Ontario Fishing Regulations are now available. The regulations are an annual guide to the rules and regulations for recreational fishing in Ontario. It contains information about recreational fishing licenses, open seasons and catch limits, as well as up-to-date fishing regulations for each fishing zone. The Detroit River is located in Fisheries Management Zone 19.

World Wildlife Day (March 3)

United Nations World Wildlife Day (WWD) is celebrated every year on March 3 to celebrate wild animals and plants. Every year, they recognize the unique roles and contributions of wildlife to people and the planet.

For World Wildlife Day 2024, they are exploring digital innovation and highlighting how digital conservation technologies and services can drive wildlife conservation, sustainable and legal wildlife trade and human-wildlife coexistence, now and for future generations in an increasingly connected world. 

International Day of Action for Rivers (March 14)

The International Day of Action for Rivers is a day dedicated to solidarity – when diverse communities around the world come together with one voice to say that rivers matter. That communities having access to clean and flowing water matters. That everyone should have a say in decisions that affect their water and their lives. That it’s our time to stand up for these rights, now more than ever.

They’re celebrating the 27th Anniversary of this Day for Rivers by also highlighting how critical access to water is in all our lives. This year’s theme focuses on “Water for All”. Whether your community is tackling water rights, clean water access, fighting against dams, water grabs, and water privatization or removing dams and restoring rivers and fish migration, we know water is life and is meant for all.

Upcoming Local Events

Save the date for these great local events! Contact the organizers for more information.

DRCC Film Screening

February 20, 2024, 7:00 pm, Imagine Cinemas, 164 Commercial Blvd, Tecumseh, ON N9K 1G5

Join us for a free screening of two Water Brothers documentaries. The following episodes will be highlighted at the screening event: “Paving Over Paradise” | About three quarters of southern Ontario’s wetlands are gone. How do we restore these vital habitats that help combat the effects of climate change? and “The Forever Chemicals” | A group of toxic chemicals known as PFAs are responsible for water-resistant properties of everyday products we use. But how dangerous are these “forever chemicals”? This event is free but registration is required. Register here.

DRCC PAC and EPI Work Group Meeting

February 28, 2024, 4:30 pm to 6:30 pm, Riverside Public Library, 6305 Wyandotte St E, Windsor, ON N8S 4S5

We are hosting our next joint Education and Public Involvement (EPI) Work Group and Public Advisory Council meeting at Riverside Public Library on February 28 from 4:30 to 6:30 pm. Learn more about what is happening in the Detroit River and provide input. If you are unable to make it in person, please contact the RAP Coordinator for connection information.

Maple Syrup Festival - Lumberjack Weekend

March 9 & 10, 2024, 11:00 am to 4:00 pm, John R. Park Homestead, 915 Essex County Rd 50, Harrow, ON

Lumber jacks & jills – get your flannel ready for Lumberjack weekend, with a Moustache contest, Lumber Costume Contest, Axe throwing demonstrations and more! Blacksmithing and woodcarving demonstrations, Pioneer and Modern Maple Making, and so much more at the #MapleFest’s first weekend. Learn more and buy tickets.

Dark Sky Nights at Point Pelee National Park

March 9, 2024, Point Pelee National Park Visitor Centre, 1118 Point Pelee Dr, Leamington, ON

Explore the park after dark and get a chance to view stars in a way you haven't seen before. The park will be open until midnight for you to get a chance to view the skies at Windsor-Essex's only dark sky preserve. Visitors can pick up a seasonal star chart upon arrival. For more information please contact Point Pelee National Park at pelee.info@pc.gc.ca or check out the event website here.

Maple Syrup Festival - Tasters' Weekend

March 16 & 17, 2024, 11:00 am - 4:00 pm, John R. Park Homestead, 915 Essex County Rd 50, Harrow, ON

It’s a Tasters’ paradise for all things Maple! Sample baked goods, maple butter, maple sugar and more. Taste various syrups and learn how they make the grade. Butter tart contest, winter hikes, crafters’ market, and the Maple Market featuring innovative delights and trusted favourites. Learn more and buy tickets.

Volunteer Orientation - Great Lakes Marsh Monitoring Program (MMP)

March 21, 2024, 7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m., Ojibway Nature Centre , 5200 Matchett Rd, Windsor, ON N9C 4E8, Canada

Adopt a wetland route in Windsor-Essex County this Spring! Birds Canada in partnership with the City of Windsor and the Essex Region Conservation Authority, are looking for wetland enthusiasts willing to adopt a local marsh and spend approximately 10 hours per year as a volunteer surveyor of aquatic birds and amphibians. The MMP offers everyone – from amateur naturalists to professional biologists – a unique and rewarding opportunity to help learn about and conserve Great Lakes amphibians and marsh birds, and their threatened habitats. Come join us on Thursday March 21, 2024 from 7pm to 8pm to meet Jennifer Nantais and Laura Neufeld, the Regional Coordinators for the program. At this session you will also be able to sign up for your route. Register here.

ERCAs How to Crew Volunteer Orientation - 2024 Earth Day Community Tree Planting

Mar 28, 2024, 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m., Essex County Civic & Education Centre , 360 Fairview Ave W, Essex, ON N8M 1Y6, Canada

Ready to make an environmental difference in your community? The Essex Region Conservation Authority is looking for volunteers to help support community restoration events, and recruitment for the 2024 tree planting season is in full swing. Benefits? Enhance your leadership qualities, get active, learn new skills, and gain valuable habitat restoration experience in your community. No prior tree planting experience required! How To Crew Orientation will take place on March 28 at 6:00 p.m in Committee Room C (second floor) at the Essex Civic Centre. Visitors are required to enter through the north entrance of the building. Register here.

If you have an upcoming local event that you want The Current readers to know about please send us an email at postmaster@detroitriver.ca