The Friends Of Ojibway Prairie

06/23/2026

Essex Region Conservation’s temporary partial trail closure at Collavino Conservation Area is a great example of taking good care of the places we all enjoy. When sensitive wildlife is around, giving them space isn’t complicated - it’s just the right thing to do.

Whether you’re out at Collavino or walking the Ojibway Prairie trails, sticking to the marked paths really does make a difference. These areas are home to turtles, rare plants, and a lot of other wildlife that rely on quiet, undisturbed spots to stay healthy.

Our natural spaces are amazing places to explore, and a little care from each of us helps keep them that way.

06/22/2026

How do urban parks create opportunities for learning and connection to nature?

Congratulations to FOOP VP Michelle Bondy, who presented her dissertation research at the 2026 Society for Teaching and Learning in Higher Education (STLHE) Conference in Hamilton last week.

Windsor‑Essex continues to lead nationally in showcasing how urban parks can protect our natural gems while creating meaningful opportunities for our community to learn, explore, and connect with nature.

We hope you’ll have many chances to experience the Ojibway Prairie throughout the summer and deepen your connection to this remarkable ecosystem.

(Photo courtesy of Dr. Dan Mennill)

University of Windsor

06/21/2026

Black Oak Heritage Park is alive with summer biodiversity, from deer moving quietly through the savanna to butterflies and insects thriving in the tallgrass and wetland edges. Every species plays a role in this globally rare prairie–savanna ecosystem, and every sighting reminds us why protecting Black Oak and the entire Ojibway Prairie Complex matters.

1) Great-Crested Flycatcher
2) Male Indigo Bunting
3) Female Indigo Bunting
4) Northern Crescent Butterfly
5) Common Spring Moth
6) Euthycra Arcuata (Marsh Fly)
7) Male Deer

We hope you are able to get out and enjoy the beautiful Ojibway Prairie this weekend.

(Thank you to Bob Shpak for the wonderful photos!)

06/20/2026

We hope to see you on Sunday June 28th, 12 pm at Re*****on Park for the Optimist Club of South Windsor's Picnic in the Park! Grab some food, donate to a good cause and come seen us for a National Urban Park lawn sign and to talk all things Ojibway Prairie!

06/19/2026

From our Community to Parliament : New National Urban Park Petition Tabled!

Thank you to Harb Gill MP for presenting a new petition from our community for Ojibway Natiobal Urban Park and the broader National Urban Park program. We greatly appreciate all who have signed a petition as we continue to encourage the federal government to table legislation for protecting National Urban Parks for future generations to enjoy.

We further join our National Urban Parks Alliance partners in Halifax and Saskatoon in advocating to advance a strong national framework that:

✅ Prioritizes ecological integrity through both policy and legislative tools
✅ Establishes and expands ecologically grounded boundaries for thriving ecosystems
✅ Supports Indigenous partnerships
✅ Ensures community engagement in governance

A big thank‑you to our volunteers and our friends at Local 444 Environment Committee, Essex County Nature, Windsor of Change and Pelee Island Butterfly Sanctuary and Teaching Garden for helping collect signatures and build momentum.

We look forward to receiving a response from Minister Dabrusin when parliament returns in the fall.

Swale Watchers
Friends of Blue Mountain - Birch Cove Lakes
Wildlands League
Ontario Nature
Nature Canada
CPAWS · SNAP Canada

06/18/2026

Thanks to our friends at Detroit River Canadian Cleanup for another wonderful Detroit River Evening! We greatly appreciated the opportunity to speak about the Ojibway Prairie Complex and ongoing National Urban Park efforts. Thanks to all who attended and to Dr. Mike McKay from Great Lakes Institute for Environmental Research (GLIER) and Tom Henderson from the DRCC PAC for their informative talks!

06/16/2026

Last chance to grab your ticket for this year's Detroit River Evening! This year's special guest speaker will be Dr. Mike McKay from Great Lakes Institute for Environmental Research (GLIER). There will also be a number of other interesting updates including a presentation from us at FOOP on Ojibway National Urban Park. We hope to see you there!

🎉 15th Annual Detroit River Evening
📅 June 17, 2026
📍 Windsor Yacht Club

We’re celebrating a year of real progress for the Detroit River, sharing big restoration updates, launching the newest annual report, and connecting with the amazing partners who make this work possible.

✨ PLUS: There will be food!
Good people, good vibes, good eats — all by the water.

If you haven’t grabbed your spot yet… now’s the moment.
🎟️ https://dre2026.eventbrite.com

Let’s make this evening unforgettable!

06/15/2026

Hi Friends, check out this great video from our friends at Wildlife Preservation Canada and the Ojibway Prairie Reptile Recovery Team as they walk us through their snake survey efforts. It's important work to better understand and quantify the snakes that are found throughout the Ojibway Prairie.

06/14/2026

National Urban Park Petition Update

This week, Minister Dabrusin provided a response to the petition tabled in April by Harb Gill MP on behalf of our community in support of Ojibway National Urban Park and the National Urban Parks program across Canada.

A big thank‑you to our volunteers and our friends at Local 444 Environment Committee , Essex County Nature, Windsor of Change and Pelee Island Butterfly Sanctuary and Teaching Garden for helping collect signatures and build momentum.

We appreciate Minister Dabrusin’s response and will continue working with our National Urban Parks Alliance partners in Halifax and Saskatoon to advance a strong national framework that:

✅ Prioritizes ecological integrity through both policy and legislative tools
✅ Establishes and expands ecologically grounded boundaries for thriving ecosystems
✅ Supports Indigenous partnerships
✅ Ensures community engagement in governance

You can read the Minister’s full response here:
https://www.ourcommons.ca/petitions/en/Petition/Details?Petition=451-00900

Swale Watchers
Friends of Blue Mountain - Birch Cove Lakes
Wildlands League
Ontario Nature
Nature Canada
CPAWS · SNAP Canada

06/12/2026

The Ontario Tree Pageant is back for its third year!!

Do you have a favorite tree that holds a special place in your heart? Consider nominating it to be recognized as Ontario’s Tree of the year. To enter, simply email a high-quality photo to [email protected].

Include your name, the tree species (if you know it), the address or
location of the tree and up to 30 words describing why it deserves to be named the best tree in Ontario.

Nominations are due by August 3, 2026. The winning trees will be announced in September, with a celebration to be held before the end of the month. Everyone who enters will considered for one of three prizes. Judging will take place by an expert panel.

More information can be found in the graphics below or visit https://treetrust.ca/