The Friends Of Ojibway Prairie

08/31/2026

The prairies of Black Oak Heritage Park are bursting with late‑summer wildflowers and pollinators. Bees, butterflies, and countless insects are making the most of the season, especially around the restoration sites that line the official Black Oak trail.

Following the designated trail will take you past three beautiful prairie restoration areas, each offering a different glimpse into the recovering tallgrass ecosystem. The first site, just steps from the parking lot, is especially vibrant right now, with Black Swallowtails, Monarchs, and native bees moving from bloom to bloom.

All of the photos in this post were taken onsite at Black Oak. Most are from recent visits, and we’re grateful to Dan A. Cetinic for allowing us to include three of his images - featuring a Black Swallowtail Butterfly and trail views - which add a wonderful perspective to the late‑summer prairie experience.

08/27/2026

🌿 YOU’RE INVITED: FOOP ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
Tuesday, September 1, 2026 · 7:00 p.m.
Ojibway Nature Centre

Join us for an evening of updates, conversation and community at the Friends of Ojibway Prairie Annual General Meeting!
We’re delighted to welcome Kristyn Ferguson, Managing Director of the Ontario Conservation Accelerator, as our guest speaker. Kristyn will join us virtually with updates on new lands for the Ojibway National Urban Park, the National Urban Park process, and more.

Come hear the latest, connect with fellow prairie and nature enthusiasts, and learn what’s happening across the Ojibway Prairie Complex.

☕ Light snacks and refreshments will be served.

Everyone is welcome! You must be a member in good standing to vote at the meeting. Memberships can be renewed through our website at www.friendsofojibwayprairie.com

Registration in advance is appreciated and helps us prepare materials and refreshments, but it’s not required.

Register here: bit.ly/4ix2dBO

We hope to see you there! 🌱

08/27/2026

🌿 YOU’RE INVITED: FOOP ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

Tuesday, September 1, 2026 · 7:00 p.m.
Ojibway Nature Centre

Join us for an evening of updates, conversation and community at the Friends of Ojibway Prairie Annual General Meeting!

We’re delighted to welcome Kristyn Ferguson, Managing Director of the Ontario Conservation Accelerator, as our guest speaker. Kristyn will join us virtually with updates on new lands for the Ojibway National Urban Park, the National Urban Park process, and more.

Come hear the latest, connect with fellow prairie and nature enthusiasts, and learn what’s happening across the Ojibway Prairie Complex.

☕ Light snacks and refreshments will be served.

Everyone is welcome! You must be a member in good standing to vote at the meeting. Memberships can be renewed through our website at www.friendsofojibwayprairie.com

Registration in advance is appreciated and helps us prepare materials and refreshments, but it’s not required.

Register here: bit.ly/4ix2dBO

We hope to see you there! 🌿

Friends of Ojibway Prairie Annual General Meeting 2026

08/27/2026

🌿 YOU’RE INVITED: FOOP ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

Tuesday, September 1, 2026 · 7:00 p.m.
Ojibway Nature Centre

Join us for an evening of updates, conversation and community at the Friends of Ojibway Prairie Annual General Meeting!

We’re delighted to welcome Kristyn Ferguson, Managing Director of the Ontario Conservation Accelerator, as our guest speaker. Kristyn will join us virtually with updates on new lands for the Ojibway National Urban Park, the National Urban Park process, and more.

Come hear the latest, connect with fellow prairie and nature enthusiasts, and learn what’s happening across the Ojibway Prairie Complex.

☕ Light snacks and refreshments will be served.

Everyone is welcome! You must be a member in good standing to vote at the meeting. Memberships can be renewed through our website at www.friendsofojibwayprairie.com

Registration in advance is appreciated and helps us prepare materials and refreshments, but it’s not required.

Register here: bit.ly/4ix2dBO

We hope to see you there! 🌱

08/23/2026

Seeing the beautiful results of restoration efforts is always so rewarding!

This prairie in Spring Garden Natural Area was once full of invasive autumn olive and buckthorn, choking out the native tallgrass prairie species.

After extensive prescribed burn, invasive species control and restoration efforts, it is now full of prairie dock. Prairie dock is a provincially vulnerable native plant that is a wonderful sign of a healthy tallgrass prairie ecosystem!

Thank you to the Ojibway Nature Centre team for their incredible work. Friends of Ojibway Prairie is always proud to partner with the City of Windsor on a variety of prairie restoration projects throughout the Ojibway Prairie Complex.

Now is a wonderful time to visit Spring Garden and see the prairie dock at its best!

Thank you to Tom Preney for the wonderful photos.

08/22/2026

It was another wonderful morning of hummingbird banding at the annual Prairie Day and Nectar Festival. 14 hummingbirds were banded (tying the record) with lots of fascinating information shared by our local expert ba**er Bob Hall-Brooks. Thanks to Bob and his fantastic FOOP scribe Michelle for all their efforts this morning to allow guests of all ages to experience the wonders of hummingbirds!

08/21/2026

Discover the wonders of Windsor's tallgrass prairie ecosystem on Prairie Day August 22! Join the City of Windsor naturalists at Ojibway Nature Centre for a day of FREE nature discovery programming.

From bird banding demonstrations to guided nature walks to reptile encounters, there are activities for nature lovers of all ages to enjoy. We can't wait to see you!

8 am to 3 pm

08/18/2026

Congratulations to Harbour Master Peter Berry on his well‑deserved retirement!

Peter has been a tremendous friend to conservation groups across our region, including Detroit River Canadian Cleanup, Essex Region Conservation, Essex County Nature, Little River Enhancement Group, FOOP, and many others.

His passionate work to ensure the security and protection of Ojibway Shores played a pivotal role in safeguarding this irreplaceable natural area. Because of his leadership, both Ojibway Shores and neighbouring Black Oak Heritage Park will be extraordinary additions to our National Urban Park.

Wishing you all the best in your next chapter, Peter - and thank you for everything you’ve done for our community and its natural heritage.

08/16/2026

Five years ago this week, the federal government came to Windsor to announce funding to explore the creation of a National Urban Park in our community - a moment that built on decades of local passion and advocacy.

Since 2012, residents, naturalists, and partners have called on Parks Canada to protect an Ojibway National Urban Park forever. Long before that, generations of community members worked piece by piece to assemble the lands that make up the Ojibway Prairie Complex.Today, the newest addition - nearly 40 acres of prairie lands from the former Windsor Raceway site - stands as a testament to what our community can achieve when we refuse to give up on protecting nature.

It’s been a long road, and we continue to walk it together with so many partners, supporters, and advocates. We’re proud to keep going until every acre is protected forever.Thank you for being part of this journey.