The Friends Of Ojibway Prairie

10/19/2026

Concerning footage from our friend Russ Jones at Essex County Nature Sightings. The spotted lanternfly has appeared in the Ojibway Prairie Complex in recent weeks and grown in numbers. Naturalists with local agencies continue to assess the situation.

What to do if you find a spotted lanternfly: https://inspection.canada.ca/en/plant-health/invasive-pests-and-plants/insects/spotted-lanternfly

10/18/2026

The Province of Ontario is looking at adding 126 hectares of land to Ojibway Prairie Provincial Park as part of its plan to expand protected areas across Ontario.

The provincial consultation provides an opportunity to review the proposed boundaries and share perspectives on the ecological significance of the Ojibway Prairie Complex and its long-term protection.

We encourage members to participate in the provincial consultation and share why protecting Ojibway matters to them.

Have your say by October 23, 2026.

👉 Read the proposal and submit your comments through the provincial consultation : https://ero.ontario.ca/notice/026-0904

Your input matters as we work toward a future that protects and grows the Ojibway Prairie Complex and advances the vision of a National Urban Park for Windsor-Essex.

10/15/2026

It's always wonderful to see longtime FOOP supporter and legendary Ojibway Prairie naturalist Paul Pratt sharing his wealth of knowledge with the community. A fantastic initiative through the Arts Council Windsor & Region Senior Community Arts Program.

10/15/2026

A big Ojibway Prairie welcome to all the newcomers exploring the park with Multicultural Council of Windsor-Essex! We hope to see you out on the trails again soon.

10/14/2026

Thank you to our good friends at Local 444 Environment Committee for their continued support of the Ojibway Prairie Complex! At the 50th Anniversary celebration of the Ojibway Nature Centre, we were thankful to receive funding from their most recent Haunted History Walking Tours.

🌿 LOCAL 444 GIVES BACK

Local 444 is proud to donate $500 to the Friends of Ojibway Prairie, funded by our Haunted Walk! 👻🌿

A little Halloween fun turned into something good for our community, helping support the protection and preservation of Ojibway Prairie.

Thank you to everyone who came out and supported the Haunted Walk!

10/14/2026

Congratulations to FOOP member and local environmental advocate and steward, Tom Henderson, on the acquisition and dedication of a new protected woodlot in LaSalle. The woodlot will be managed by our good friends at Canada South Land Trust. Thank you to Tom for all he does for nature across our community. We look forward to many future visits to the Jim Henderson Memorial Woods and to the possibility of one day seeing it included in an Ojibway National Urban Park!

Detroit River Canadian Cleanup
Essex County Nature

🌳 A Beautiful Gift to LaSalle and a Lasting Legacy.

One of the things I love most about LaSalle is our natural areas, mature trees and green spaces. As our community continues to grow, protecting these spaces for future generations is more important than ever.

That’s why I was so pleased to receive some wonderful news from Tom Henderson, a longtime environmental champion in Windsor-Essex.

For decades, Tom has dedicated his time to protecting our region’s natural environment. From planting thousands of trees and helping establish the Little River Enhancement Group to advocating for the protection of Ojibway Shores, his commitment to conservation has been remarkable.

And now, his efforts have left a lasting mark on LaSalle.

Tom purchased a woodlot behind Trillium Park along Suzanne Street, not to develop it, but to protect it.

On September 4, he officially transferred ownership to the Canada South Land Trust, ensuring the property will be cared for and protected for generations to come. Volunteers have already begun documenting the rich diversity of trees, plants and wildlife found there.

But there is an even more meaningful story behind this gift.

The property will be named Jim Henderson Memorial Woods, in loving memory of Tom’s late son, who shared in his father’s early environmental efforts.

What a beautiful tribute and an incredible legacy.

I have always believed that protecting what makes LaSalle special is a shared responsibility. The Town has an important role to play, but individuals like Tom remind us just how much of a difference one person can make.

Thank you, Tom, for everything you have done for our region and for choosing LaSalle as the home for such a meaningful and lasting tribute. 💚

10/04/2026

Thanks to everyone who came out to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Ojibway Nature Centre. It was a wonderful day filled with community, interactive activities and, of course, a shared love of nature.

Fifty years on, it’s lovely to see that the simple joys of exploring, learning and spending time in this special place are still bringing people together. And, of course, what would a celebration be without cupcakes?

Congratulations to Julie and the Nature Centre staff on such a wonderful event, and thank you for helping mark this special milestone in Ojibway’s story.

10/02/2026

Just a reminder, friends. Happening tomorrow at Ojibway Nature Centre. We're looking forward to celebrating 50 years of our nature centre, seeing wonderful people who have made it a special place and hearing lots of great stories from memorable times at Ojibway!

To celebrate 50 wonderful years of community service, the Ojibway Nature Centre 🌳 (5200 Matchett Road) is hosting an open house event on Saturday, October 3, 2026, from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Everyone is invited!

"Fifty years ago, on October 2, 1976, the City of Windsor opened Ojibway Park and Nature Centre — a space dedicated to the enjoyment and protection of a unique tallgrass prairie and oak savanna. Nature appreciation, exercise, photography, and environmental awareness were encouraged then, and these perennial highlights of the Ojibway experience continue to this day.

Half a century later, residents can still visit the Ojibway Nature Centre (5200 Matchett Road) and learn about prairie wildflowers, forest ecology, local history, and fire as a park management tool, and then head out into Ojibway Park where the original trails continue to be highly rated and enjoyed by residents and visitors from near and far.

To celebrate 50 years of community service, the Ojibway Nature Centre is hosting an open house event on Saturday, October 3, 2026, from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Everyone is invited to stop by the nature centre to enjoy some special exhibits showcasing timeless moments in the history of this cherished landmark.

For those who might miss the main event, the special exhibits will be open until the end of the year."

City of Windsor