The Detroit River flows through the heart of the industrial Midwest, historically a working waterway and an international border linking the Detroit-Windsor Metro Area. For decades, lax rules and regulations around industrial dumping resulted in an environmental disaster that decimated the local fishing industry and made the river toxic for humans and animals alike.
On both sides of the border, environmental and urban revitalization is occurring. In a city that includes half of the 10 most polluted areas in Michigan, restoring the environment in and around the river is not just a nice thing to do; it’s vital to the survival of vulnerable communities. 20 miles south of Detroit and Windsor, Ontario, the Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge is rapidly taking shape, another significant benchmark of progress in environmental restoration.
Managed in a partnership between the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Canadian Wildlife Service, the refuge covers 48 miles of the river and Lake Erie, supporting habitats for hundreds of species of waterfowl, fish, mammals, and insects. Hundreds of thousands of ducks stop every year on their migratory route, making it one of the best places for waterfowl hunting and photography in the country.
The potential for the Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge is incredible. More than 7 million people live within short driving distance of the refuge, and the new dock is already attracting visitors. Once completed, the new visitor center will serve as a "waterfront porch" and a gateway to other refuge units.
Outdoor recreation will bring tourism dollars to an economically devastated area, and provide numerous opportunities for environmental education, outreach, stewardship, kayaking/canoeing, fishing, hunting, and more.
Thanks to the efforts of organizations like Detroiters Working for Environmental Justice, the Belle Isle Conservancy, Detroit Riverfront Conservancy, East Michigan Environmental Action Council, International Wildlife Refuge Alliance, and state agencies like the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, urban environmental restoration has been underway for years, and many students and volunteers have taken special trips to the refuge for cleanups and planting.
Once the refuge is open for public use, Detroiters will have access to wild green spaces, where they can partake in outdoor activities that the rest of the state has enjoyed for decades.
While there is still plenty of work to be done, signs of renewal are everywhere, from the presence of native raptors to the valuable walleye. And for the first time in decades, Detroiters are returning to the river.
To learn more about the Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge, click the button.
Credits:
Photos courtesy of US Fish and Wildlife, East Michigan Environmental Action Council