Little River Spring Cleanup Event

Part of the Detroit River Binational Program

By Ian Naisbitt

It has been 2 ½ years since volunteers participated in a Little River Cleanup Event. On Saturday, 9 April, the Detroit River Canadian Cleanup and the Essex Region Conservation Authority invited Essex County Nature to join community volunteers to clean up a well-known section of Little River. The segment needing a “Spring Cleaning” flows adjacent to the Canadian Tire Store on Tecumseh Road East. The City of Windsor created Teedie Park along the riverbanks and adjacent open areas in this area. As well, the Ganatchio Trail has been extended from the river to the Forest Glade neighbourhood. Today’s cleanup involved both banks of Little River. This cleanup was part of the Detroit River Binational Cleanup Event.

In the past this portion of the river was notorious for shopping carts being discarded into the river to construct a “pedestrian crossing.” Not only did this hinder the flow of the current, but it also collected vegetation and other debris which effectively created a dam. Since 1996, this section of Little River has been cleaned up 15 times and removing shopping carts has become a frustrating routine. Fortunately, media coverage over those years has helped encourage a solution to this vexing problem. A new pedestrian bridge has been constructed! It connects stores on Tecumseh Road with the Forest Glade community. A brilliant solution to the shopping cart crossing that will no longer need to be constructed in the river.

A Tip of the Cap to the City of Windsor for erecting this bridge! Shopping cart problem solved.

The day’s forecast was foreboding. Even so, we just had to accept it and carry on.   
Environment Canada: Cloudy with a 40 % chance of rain showers or flurries. High 8 C. UV index 3 or moderate.
The Weather Channel: Cloudy with snow showers mainly during the morning. High near 5  C. Chance of snow 50 %. Winds WNW at 15 to 25 km/h which Sir Francis Beaufort classifies as a “moderate breeze.”

All volunteers were dressed appropriately for the weather Mother Nature served.

Thankfully, the sun came out and brightened up our spirits as the clouds drifted by. Volunteers worked from 10 a.m. to noon, cleaning up litter and other assorted windblown trash that accumulated over the winter. Our efforts are worthwhile since the amount of garbage collected (1884 pounds/ 855 kilograms) will benefit the health of the river ecosystem and the wildlife that use it. New items to add to our list of kinds of trash collected: a slow cooker and backpack.

Cleanup Partnership included:
City of Windsor
Detroit River Canadian Cleanup and Public Advisory Council
Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario/ Windsor District
Essex County Nature and the Junior Egrets
Essex Region Conservation Authority
Little River Enhancement Group and the Dragonfly Elders
Wildlife Preservation Canada

Mute Swam Looking at their Reflection after Preening Feathers