Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge
Building North America’s Only International Wildlife Refuge in the Industrial Heartland
The Detroit International Wildlife Refuge was established in 2001 and is part of the connecting channels linking Lake Huron to Lake Erie and is an international border with Canada . MNRG supported the establishment of the refuge, awarded Representative Dingell with a MNRG Award for Conservation Excellence and MNRG members contributed toward protecting, restoring and sustaining natural resources in the watershed .
Preserving open spaces, sustaining wildlife, and enhancing quality of life are priorities in the Detroit-Windsor metropolitan areas. The Service is helping these communities to reach those goals by building North America’s only International Wildlife Refuge in a region that is best known as the automobile capital of the U.S. and Canada.
The Detroit River and Western Lake Erie are at the intersection of two major North American flyways. Birds come to rest, nest, and feed along the shoreline of many islands and marshes. Over 30 species of waterfowl, 17 species of raptors, 31 species of shorebirds, 160 species of songbirds, and 117 species of fish are found along—or migrate through—the Detroit River corridor.
This biodiversity and the diversity of requisite habitats have given the region international acclaim. The Detroit River has been recognized for its biodiversity in the North American Waterfowl Management Plan, the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity, the Western Hemispheric Shorebird Reserve Network, and the Biodiversity Investment Area Program of Environment Canada and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
These unique attributes led Rep. John Dingell to spearhead the creation of the Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge in 2001.
In just three years time, much has happened at the refuge:
- Mud Island was donated to the refuge by NaMay 24, 2005i> Calf Island was acquired.
- 44 acres of waterfront property on the lower Detroit River in Trenton was acquired from Diamler Chrysler Corporation to serve as the gateway to the refuge—including trails, a visitors center, an outdoor classroom, wildlife viewing stations, and more.
- Humbug Island and Marsh, the last mile of natural shoreline on the U.S. mainland of the Detroit River, have been preserved.
- BASF has made significant ecological improvements to the 1,500-acre Fighting Island and received Wildlife Habitat Council certification.
- DTE Energy has signed a cooperative management agreement for 650 acres of land at its Fermi Power Plant, helped develop greenway trails, enhanced habitat at its facilities, and helped plant over a million trees.
- Soluita has rehabilitated 25 acres of waterfront property for wildlife habitat and enhanced aquatic habitat along its shoreline.
- Ford Motor Company has rebuilt its Rouge Plant using principles of "green design", including installing the world’s largest living roof that will save millions of dollars in maintenance, replacement, and water quality compliance costs.
And the list goes on.
Not only are southeast Michigan and its international wildlife refuge becoming internationally recognized for wildlife, habitats, and wildlife-compatible recreational opportunities, but they are now being internationally recognized for its public-private partnerships. Businesses are making major investments in their home in an effort to remain competitive and help attract and retain the next generation of employees.
U.S. Department of Interior Secretary Gail Norton in a 2003 speech along the Detroit River noted that "this refuge is an outstanding model for promoting partnerships" for the entire national wildlife refuge system. "It’s a great example of everyone working together."
See a set of drilldown maps (printable maps, PDF, 4pp, 461K)
Contacts
John H. Hartig, US Fish and Wildlife Service, Refuge Manager, Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge 734-692-7608, john_hartig@fws.gov