Essex Region Conservation is inviting everyone to join us on Sunday, April 24, 2021 between 10am and 2pm to help plant more than 2,000 native trees in the City of Windsor. Trees generously supported by Enwin Utilities.
This year, pre-registration is required for Green Teams (15 or more) and individuals attending the event. There are three planting shifts to choose from including 10am to 11am, 11:30am to 12:30pm and 1pm to 2pm. You can expect to plant three to five trees per individual at this year’s celebration. Green Teams will be recognized with a team photograph at the start of their shift.
Please note, because registration is limited please be sure you are ONLY registering for the number of participants that you guarantee will attend for your Green Teams and individuals ticket requests.
Event happens at the green space south of Wyandotte Street east between Florence & Martinique in Windsor. See map below. Event will take place rain or shine, and will be delayed because of severe weather only. Safety precautions such as masking are encouraged.
Parking is available at the Sand Point Beach parking lot off Riverside Drive. Overflow parking is available at the parking lots off Riverside Drive, adjacent to the Ganatchio Trail, between Bertha and Martinique.
*If parking details change, ERCA will update all event listings on our website, Eventbrite and email participants registered.
Participants can use the Ganatchio Trail (south) to walk to the planting site.
FAQs and Planting Day Considerations
What can I bring to the event?
All volunteers will be required to follow provincial Covid-19 guidelines.
Please bring a reusable water bottle with you to the planting event.
It may be helpful to bring a towel, an extra pair of socks to change into after planting and some clean shoes for the car ride home.
While we have shovels to share, we highly recommend bringing your own to this free event to ensure enough equipment for everyone.
Volunteer paperwork
What can I wear to the event?
The planting shift will take place rain or shine.
Dress for the weather. April can bring a wide range of wet to dry weather conditions.
We recommend dressing in layers, bring extra socks, a towel, rain pants and jacket, hat etc. See infographic below.
Wear sturdy footwear such as hiking or rubber boots that is comfortable. This location will be extremely muddy with rough terrain. We do not recommend wearing running shoes.
We encourage Green Teams to wear their uniforms!
When will I be notified if the planting shift is cancelled?
You will be notified the morning of the shift if the planting event is cancelled through the e-mail addressed provided upon registration.
Protect the Detroit River from home
There are over 5 million people on the Canadian and American sides of the Detroit River who live in the watershed and depend on it for drinking water. Residents in Canada who live in Turkey Creek, Little River and Canard River watersheds can be stewards of the Detroit River, and do many things to reduce negative impacts on the shared resource.
Pollutants of the Detroit River originating from Windsor generally include:
The City of Windsor’s, Town of LaSalle’s and Amherstburg’s sewer system and associated Combined Sewer Overflows (CSOs)
Collection of litter in storm drains
Improper disposal of oils, gasoline and other substances
Sewage pump in Essex, Ontario being serviced due to a large blockage of non-flushable material. Photo credit: Town of Essex Facebook Page, April 16 2020.
Household Actions
The sanitary sewers (connected to our homes) and waste water treatment plants (where our water goes to from our homes) are designed to treat only sanitary wastes only. DO NOT put fats, oils and greases (FOGs), plastics, sanitary products, “flushable wipes” or household hazardous chemicals down your drains.
Fats, Oils and Grease (FOGs): FOGs accumulate in the sewers, restricting flows, and may contribute to basement flooding. FOGs that make it to the WWTP clog pipes and screens, and reduce the effectiveness of the overall treatment process, increasing plant operation costs. FOGs should be allowed to solidify in a jar and then be disposed of with the garbage.
Plastics: Plastics and rags are unhealthy for sewers. These objects float and by-pass the chemical and physical collection processes at WWTP. The following should be disposed of as regular garbage: personal hygiene products, wrappers, rags and product labels.
Household Chemicals: The WWTPs are designed to treat human waste only. Other chemicals entering the WWTP may pass through the plant to the Detroit River. All household chemicals, including pesticides should be taken to the Household Chemical Waste Depot.
Household chemicals can include expired or unwanted medication, pesticides, flea sprays and collars, paints, stains, thinners and acids, drain cleaners, pool chemicals, car products such as motor oil and antifreeze, gas, kerosene, diesel and propane tanks and items that contain Mercury such as thermometers, thermostats and CFL bulbs.
#1, #2, and TP, that’s it!
A friendly reminder that to prevent sewer backups, only #1, #2, and TP are flushable. ‘Flushable’ wipes do not break down like TP and can clog sewers. Check out our wastewater video we created in partnership with The City of Windsor for more information.
Outdoor Actions
Help reduce the volume of sewage, runoff, pollution, litter and organic matter that could end up in the river untreated through storm sewers.
Storm Sewers carry stormwater runoff only. Storm Sewers eventually drain to the Detroit River, untreated. There are 732 kilometres of storm sewers within the City of Windsor
Disconnecting downspouts allows rainwater to flow onto lawns freeing up capacity in the sewers during storms.
Installing a rain barrel will help you conserve water, as rain water collected during a storm can be used to water your garden on dry days.
Keep storm drains clear of debris during storm events. This not only helps protect fish and wildlife in the Detroit River watershed, but also prevents storm drain backups that can lead to street flooding.
Keep a tight lid on your trash can and recycle bins to reduce wind blown litter.
When pesticides and fertilizers are applied to lawns, between 60-90% of the chemical sprays are washed into sewer drains and eventually rivers, where they impact wildlife. If you have unwanted weeds in your yard, pull them out by hand.
Pick up your pet’s waste while at home and out in parks, trails and conservation areas.
Consider washing your vehicle at a facility that recycles water by sending it to the sanitary sewer, instead of washing it in your driveway.
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Get Involved!
From tree plantings and clean ups, to advocacy and education programs, CLICK HERE to find out how you can be involved with protecting and enhancing the Detroit River.
