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By Jennifer Nantais

As the world prepares to celebrate our 50^th Earth Day, protests continue, though the focus has changed. Concerns over pollution and the ozone layer have made way for what has clearly become the greatest threat to life on earth, Climate Change.

What was once a topic for debate, climate change has sadly entered our popular culture by affecting people’s everyday lives as people all over the globe experience an increase in weather patterns and extreme conditions causing fire, drought, flood, food shortage and property loss causing cities and governments all around the world to declare a climate emergency in 2019.

Environmental advocates continue to feel disheartened while parties debate and pit mitigation measures against economic interests, yet every government has been forced to address the issue in some way or another, with more attention and funds allocated to the fight than in past years.

We still have a long way to go, but 2019 seemed a turning point in consciousness as Greta Thunberg speaks for all of us who seek to ask questions, sign petitions, make conscious choices, or get out there with the rest of the world and protest. Whatever you do, don’t give up.

Happy 50^th Earth Day!

By Jennifer Nantais

Since joining other cities and regions in declaring a state of climate emergency, the City of Windsor is offering home retrofits in an attempt to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 40% over the next 20 years.

Owners of older homes will save on renovations, the city will save money, and homes will become more energy-efficient. Property owners also have the option of adding the cost of the upgrades to their property taxes and paying off the balance over time.

With only a small percentage of home owners having taken advantage of these special grants so far, this program aims to have 80% of city homes retrofitted by 2041 which would eliminate about 235,000 tons of greenhouse gas emissions per year. (Stacey Janzer/CBC)

The retrofit program will be presented to council in March for final approval. Even if approved, Windsor still has a long way to go to reach its emissions targets, but with each new initiative, hopefully residents become used to making changes toward the common goal of fighting climate change.

By Jeremy Hatt

In 2019, ECFNC partnered with Birds Canada for two Swift Night Out events in Essex County. These events are quite popular and attract a diverse group of people looking to learn more about the Chimney Swift, a species at risk familiar to anyone living in a town or urban area.

The first Swift Night Out was held at the Epworth United Church in Kingsville on May 25, 2019. This site holds the highest known number of roosting Chimney Swifts in Essex County during spring migration with over 300 swifts possible during peak times in mid-May. Getting the word out to Club members as well as advertising on various local Facebook groups resulted in an amazing attendance of 42 people, which included a number of members of the church’s congregation. Fortunately, the turnout of swifts was also high. 112 Chimney Swifts put on a great show for all in attendance. It was especially heartening to see members of Epworth United Church take such an interest and they will undoubtedly continue to be proud stewards into the future.

Members of the public patiently await Chimney Swifts entering the chimneys atop the Epworth United Church – photo by Jeremy Hatt

On August 22, 2019, a second Swift Night Out was held at the Walkerville Collegiate Institute. This site has been known historically as a significant fall roosting site for swifts on their southbound migration and this serene summer night did not disappoint. 51 swifts entered the school’s chimney to the enjoyment of the 17 members of the public in attendance. Ontario SwiftWatch coordinator, Megan Hiebert, was in attendance and was able to provide everyone with information on Chimney Swift migration, behaviour, breeding, threats to the species, and local and national conservation efforts.

The Walkerville Collegiate Institute chimney; roosting site for migrating Chimney Swifts – photo by Jeremy Hatt

Swift-watchers at the Walkerville Collegiate Institute – photo by Jeremy Hatt

A spring Swift Night Out is planned this year for the end of May at the Walkerville Collegiate Institute. Keep an eye out for details in upcoming emails and on the events calendar on the Essex County Nature website.