Each year, the DRCC works with community partners and members on a wide range of education opportunities relating to the Detroit River. For more information on previous projects, please visit our Annual Review (yearly reports) and DRCC Publications pages.
Screening of Ripples of Plastic
On February 25, 2026, the DRCC hosted a free screening of Ripples of Plastic: a film that highlights 
seen and unseen impacts of plastic pollution in the Great Lakes. There are many pathways of contamination to our local watersheds and the impacts of microplastics on the environment and human health are worrisome. This documentary has inspired a movement for systemic change and a plastic-free future. Guests shared their concerns, ideas, talked over local stewardship and circular economy programs and had great discussions on how to make lasting change in Windsor-Essex.
Thank you to Lakeshore Cinemas, Heather Taylor from the Essex Windsor Solid Waste Authority (EWSWA), Essex Mayor Sherry Bondy and Taryn Azzopardi from the City of Windsor for your participation in the expert panel and to our guests for attending and supporting the Detroit River!
15th Annual Detroit River Evening
The DRCC hosted its 15th annual Detroit River Evening on June 17, 2026 bringing together community members, partners, and supporters for a night of connection, good food, and celebration. Attendees reflected on the year’s accomplishments and the continued progress being made to restore and protect the Detroit River.
The program featured several engaging presentations, including Dr. Mike McKay’s update on the newly installed Environment and Climate Change Canada water sampling station at the Great Lakes Institute for Environmental Research. Mike Fisher from the Friends of Ojibway Prairie shared the group’s ongoing conservation and community efforts, while Tom Henderson, Chair of the Public Advisory Council, provided insights into recent initiatives and public engagement.
The strong turnout and enthusiastic participation highlighted the community’s deep commitment to the river’s health. The evening served as a reminder of how collaboration, science, and local stewardship continue to drive meaningful progress—and offered a chance to celebrate this year’s wins for the Detroit River.
Detroit River Restoration Projects Highlighted
The DRCC attended the Great Lakes Restoration Celebration, hosted by the Alliance of Rouge Communities and held at The Henry Ford in Dearborn on October 18, 2019. As part of this celebration, a book was created showcasing the organizations contributing to Great Lakes Restoration in Southeast Michigan and some of their restoration projects.
The DRCC and our projects are featured in the book, and a copy can be downloaded from here.
US Sediment Remediation Update
(NICK BRANCACCIO/Windsor Star)
The DRCC Public Advisory Council hosted US colleagues who provided a presentation on the progress of sediment remediation efforts on the American side of the Detroit River. The presentation highlighted the projects American partners are tackling to improve sediment quality, which improves overall ecosystem health of the river system.
In 2012, a comprehensive study took place by multiple partners where data was compiled about known contaminants at 65 locations in the Detroit River. The study characterized sediment on the US side of the river, including the quantity of contaminants at these sites. This project provided a basis for the US Environmental Protection Agency and the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy to create a prioritized list of sediment remediation projects.
The estimated total quantity of sediment that needs to be remediated from the U.S side of the Detroit River is approximately 6,673,338yd3. Generally where sediments were present in the nearshore, they were contaminated, and contaminants were highest near historical industrial and municipal outfalls. Some of the remediation work has begun and progress is being made, but partners and funding opportunities need to be identified for large scale remediation to occur. Thanks again to our US counterparts for this presentation outlining the progress they’ve been making on the US side of the river! Find out more in this news article from Great Lakes Now.
Community Tree Plantings
The DRCC supports community cleanups and tree planting activities through our member organizations. Not only do these activities improve habitat quality for plants and animals, they also enhance the quality of life for local residents.
In preparation for the large Earth Day community planting, members of the How to Crew received in-depth tree planting and care training to assist with implementing the planting plan at the spring celebration. The How to Crew assists ERCA by providing quality control measures during community planting events to ensure the long term growth and survival of the trees. They are on hand to help volunteers troubleshoot planting seedlings, balled and burlap evergreens, and potted hardwoods as well as checking proper planting techniques, mulching, tree guards and more.
ERCA hosted an Earth Day community tree planting celebration in April 2025 at the greenspace between Wyandotte Street East and Florence Avenue in the City of Windsor. More than 1,000 volunteers and Green Teams planted over 2,000 potted and native seedlings. A big thank you to ENWIN Utilities, Green Sun Rising and Tree Canada for their sponsorship for this event!
Watershed Cleanups
In April 2025, 1,825lbs or 825kg of litter/refuse was removed from Sandwich and the Detroit River shoreline. In May, volunteers joined forces to plant 60 native hardwood trees at Mic Mac Park. These trees support biodiversity and contribute to the City of Windsor’s goals for maintaining, protecting,
growing and creating partnerships to support its urban forest. In July, 43lbs of litter was removed from College Avenue Bikeway and Crowley Park. In August, volunteers removed 560lbs of litter from Sandwich and the Detroit River shoreline. In August the Sandwich Environmental Tour was held, highlighting a variety of themes relating to our present, past and future relationship with the Detroit River, and this area of the region. In November, many volunteers planted fifty large native hardwood trees along the College Avenue Bikeway, and students at Maryvale greened their school grounds by planting native trees and shrubs together.
On Saturday June 21, 2025 volunteers and Detroit River volunteers and partners came together and removed 243lbs of refuse from Turkey Creek at Vince Marcotte Park in LaSalle and surrounding park trails. Those on canoe reported many basking turtles and several shorebirds along the waterway!
Detroit River Family Fishing Day
In partnership with Just Fishin’ Friends, the DRCC hosted the annual Learn to Fish event on July 5, 2025 at Front Road Park in LaSalle. Over 50 participants came to fish (some for the first time!) and learn from expert volunteer anglers. The DRCC provided information to participants about restoration and cleanup projects, statistics on fish populations, and information on how to safely consume fish from the river.
Peche Island Day
On August 9, 2025, the DRCC ventured to Peche Island with ERCA staff and the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters (OFAH) Hit Squad to celebrate Peche Island Day. The DRCC sponsored all of the tickets for travel to the island that day through the City of Windsor program and many got to enjoy the natural and cultural heritage of the island, meet new people, see the Windsor shoreline and experience crossing the Detroit River.
While on the island, guests heard from the DRCC about the three year long term erosion protection and fish habitat creation project, learned about other partner initiatives that have contributed to the river’s revival through the RAP and learned about local invasive species work being undertaken by ERCA and the Hit Squad.
In celebration of World Rivers Day in September, the DRCC sponsored all the boat tickets to provide an additional day of free access to the island.
