Regional Events

Read more news and events in the Spring 2007 Newsletter. Stop by Regional Perspectives for more news about our region. 

Water lovers turn out for River Day events
By Nicole Gerring, Times Herald

From paddling a canoe down river while dressed as a French fur trader to planting wildflowers near a creek, area residents learned about the waterways of St. Clair County on Saturday.

The Jordan Creek Buffer Restoration Project is sponsored by WHC and BP's Dome Petroleum St. Clair Liquid Petroleum Gas Terminal.

"That's what we wanted to do - to draw people out to our beautiful waterways and help them understand and appreciate them," said Sheri Faust, environmental educator. 

By offering activities on waterways that are used less frequently, such as Jordan and Mill creeks, the county hopes to expand residents' knowledge of area recreational opportunities, she said.

About 25 people gathered at the BP St. Clair Liquid Petroleum Gas Terminal on Fred Moore Highway in St. Clair to plant more than 300 wildflowers and prairie grasses on property bordering Jordan Creek. 

"We're promoting the idea that mixed plantings of native plants help protect waterways by slowing down runoff from pavement and buildings," said Martha Gruelle, director of the Great Lakes Regional Office of the Wildlife Habitat Council, which works with industry on environmental projects. 

The plant border also prevents soil erosion on the creek bank, Gruelle said. Some of the flowers will bloom late this summer and most will be visible next year, she said.

Detroit International River Days to
Celebrate and Showcase the Local Environment

Detroit International River Days, presented by General Motors Corporation, will feature a special environmental theme and activities to help celebrate and highlight the valuable natural resources in Detroit, including the Detroit River and its newly transformed Riverfront, along with the completion of the new Detroit RiverWalk. 

The Michigan Economic Development Corporation’s (MEDC) "Green Days" will help underscore the celebration with environmental exhibits and displays at the MEDC “Green Days” tent just north of Rivard Plaza and Pavilion on Sunday, June 24 and Monday, June 25. Environmental displays and information will also be inside the Rock Financial Cooling Station located in the Renaissance Center’s GM Wintergarden. 

Organizations involved in "Green Days" include:

'Earth Day Every Day!' Poster Contest
Inspires and Honors Students

Megan Knittel's winning entry in the 2007 "Earth Day Everyday!" poster contest shows 11 different ways to "Love Our Earth" in our everyday lives.

United States Steel Corporation's Great Lakes Works, located south of Detroit in the communities known collectively as "Downriver," helped inspire and honor area students in April with an "Earth Day Every Day!" poster contest. U.S. Steel is a member of Wildlife Habitat Council, and the Great Lakes Works is active in the WHC Huron to Erie Waterways for Wildlife Project.

The winner of the contest, which was sponsored in part by the Downriver Council for the Arts, is Megan Knittel, a fifth grade student at Anderson Elementary School in Trenton, Michigan. Megan’s poster addressed 11 different environmentally friendly themes in a colorful, fun way. Her poster offers easy ideas that we all can build into our lives. Megan received a $250 cash prize and a one-year family membership to the Detroit Science Center.

Five other poster artists received recognition for their work, including:

• Sarai Niebrzydowski, second grade at Chapman Elementary School in Rockwood;                        
• Emma Rudziensky, third grade at Meridian Elementary School on Grosse Ile;                       
• Kelsey Mashike, sixth grade at Washington Elementary school in Wyandotte; and                       
• Michael Talley, ninth grade at the Academy for Business & Technology in Melvindale.

Mariah Chinavare, an eighth grader at St. Cyprian Catholic School in Riverview submitted a pencil-drawn poster that received a special Environmental Recognition. 

The contest, now in its second year, received entries from 31 Downriver school districts, in total 200 more entries than last year. The Downriver Council for the Arts and other sponsors, including Great Lakes Works, The News-Herald newspapers, Detroit Science Center and Southland Center shopping mall, were all very pleased with the participation this year and have begun plans for 2008 already!

Fire and Rein
Controlled Burns Regenerate Wildlife Habitats

by Dan Vecchioni
May 2007 Connections, DTE Energy's employee magazine

Sometimes, you can fool Mother Nature. That’s the thinking behind the controlled burns that took place this spring on the grounds of our Monroe and River Rouge power plants in Southeastern Michigan. The burns replicate the natural fires, often caused by lightning in years past, that helped regenerate the prairie ecosystems of the Midwest. The fires burn off the dead grass and woody and non-native plants, open the soil to more sunlight, and help the seeds of the native plants to germinate.

Jason Cousino, maintenance journeyman, River Rouge Power Plant, uses a drip torch while conducting a controlled burn at the plant. Photo by Dave Mitchell.

"This is a good way to manage a prairie," said Craig Tylenda, supervisor, Environmental Science and Engineering, who oversaw the controlled burn at Monroe. "Without a fire, we eventually would have a forest." The controlled burns are a means of maintaining the Monroe and River Rouge prairies as certified wildlife habitats. "They are home to rabbits, groundhogs and deer, and are an excellent stop for migratory birds. They also are home to ‘pollinators,’ including butterflies, bees and other insects," Tylenda said. "In fact, spring works well for the controlled burns, not only because it’s before the plants start greening up, but also because we don’t harm the insects, which aren’t out yet."

Every effort is made to ensure the burns are controlled. "We need to have just the right amount of wind before we’d even attempt a burn," said Jason Cousino, union field safety specialist for Local 223, Utility Workers Union of America, and maintenance journeyman, who managed the burn at the River Rouge plant. "We make sure the plant water wagon is available and put the local fire department on alert," Cousino said. "We then remove anything flammable from the area, and even shoo the wildlife away."

The person managing the fire will use a drip torch, while walking downwind in a straight line so the fire has to burn into the wind, slowly and not out of control. Also helping to keep the fire under control are natural and manmade barriers, like roads, lakes and other wet spots. “The burns usually are not that dramatic,” Tylenda said.

This spring, the controlled burns were completed on four acres of prairie at Monroe and one acre at River Rouge.

More Events

The Alliance For The Great Lakes works to conserve and restore the world's largest freshwater resource through policy, education and local efforts aimed at preserving the Great Lakes region as a national treasure. Visit the calendar of events for programs on exploring, learning about and protecting the Great Lakes.

DTE Energy's concern for protecting the environment is a deeply rooted value. From the dedication with which the company operate its facilities, through the volunteer efforts of our Green Team and many partnerships, such as with the Wildlife Habitat Council, DTE Energy is working to protect and enhance our natural environment. Check out the DTE Energy Green Team calendar! Participate in one of the environmental-related events in your community.

Ontario Woodlot Association (OWA) calendar. The OWA brings woodlot owners together to share ideas and learn about forest management. 

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