DRIWR Boasts New Icon

When bicyclists, walkers and joggers visit the Refuge Gateway in Trenton, they will pass a towering new steel wildlife sculpture that depicts the ecological recovery and biodiversity of the Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge (IWR).

As part of DTE Energy’s commitment to the environment and sustainability, DTE employees first erected a 12-foot wildlife sculpture at the entrance of its River Rouge Power Plant. Based on the overwhelming positive feedback on that project, DTE Energy employees approached staff of the Detroit River IWR to see if they might be interested in a similar wildlife sculpture at the Refuge Gateway in Trenton. Refuge staff jumped at the opportunity and immediately began working with DTE employees to design a four-sided, 16-foot piece of art that will welcome thousands of projected annual visitors to North America’s only international wildlife refuge.

Whether entering the Refuge on a greenway trail to enjoy the new Visitor Center, fishing off a 775-foot pier (soon to come), boarding the Great Lakes school ship, kayaking in the marsh, bird watching from observation decks, or hiking in Michigan’s only “Wetland of International Importance,” visitors will be able to see the wildlife sculpture. It might best be described as a Christmas tree-shaped sculpture made of three-eighth-inch-thick steel. Upon closer look, you will see lake sturgeon and walleye at the bottom, cattails, turtles, dragonflies, woodpeckers and blue heron as you move up the symbolic food web, and bald eagles as top predators at the pinnacle.

The Detroit River IWR incorporates 5,800 acres along 48 miles of the Detroit River and

Western Lake Erie. The Refuge focuses on conserving, protecting, and restoring habitat for 29

species of waterfowl, 23 species of raptors, 31 species of shorebirds, over 100 species of fish,

and over 300 species of birds. It is the first international refuge in North America and one of the

few urban ones. Unique habitats being managed for conservation include islands, coastal

wetlands, marshes, shoals, and waterfront lands. The Western Lake Erie Watersheds Priority

Natural Area is the institutional mechanism for Canadian federal, provincial, and local partners

to cooperatively work with U.S. partners on the International Wildlife Refuge.

Get Outdoors Downriver.

 

 

Squirrel Meet Hawk

During the fall avian migration we see many different birds at our bird feeder. Most are small and only stay a while. Herc on the other hand has taken a liking to our bird feeder and not for the seed. I've never seen a hawk chase smaller birds around on foot but he does. I think it's a young hungry hawk just trying to get by. Much to our surprise the local bird feeder raider came by for a visit, hopefully at the wrong time.




You never know what you'll see in the outdoors.

Get Outdoors Downriver.

Deer hunters: Expect delays

Along with the Antler Point Restrictions now in place for much of the upper state the powers that be have come up with another way to help hunters lose interest in going deer hunting.

Firearm deer hunters heading up north this season are reminded that northbound I-75 remains detoured to northbound I-675 in Saginaw County, with two lanes open. Traffic delays are expected and motorists are advised to allow extra time. Southbound I-75 motorists will have three lanes open in that area.

Overall, MDOT is reconstructing 4 miles of I-75, as well as replacing bearing pads on the Zilwaukee Bridge, in Saginaw County, during the 2013 construction season.

There also is ongoing construction on the southbound I-675 ramp to southbound I-75. This work requires traffic shifts in both directions on I-75. MDOT expects the work to be completed by late November.

MDOT also is reminding drivers and hunters to play it safe on the roads during firearm deer season. Deer are on the run this time of year, particularly between the hours of sunset and sunrise. Drivers should watch for hunters who may be walking along the side of the road.

ALTERNATE ROUTES:

Choosing an alternate route may require driving additional miles, but could save you time overall by avoiding expected delays on I-75. Motorists heading up north from the Metro Detroit and Flint areas should consider taking one of the following routes:

• To areas north of Grayling: Take westbound I-69 to northbound US-127, then northbound I-75. Additional distance traveled: approximately 50 miles.
• To areas south of Grayling: Take eastbound I-69 to northbound M-15, then westbound M-25 to northbound I-75. Additional distance traveled: approximately10 miles. 

TRAFFIC IMPACT:

• Southbound I-75 is shifted with all lanes open.
• Northbound I-75 remains shifted with traffic detoured to northbound I-675.
• Southbound I-675 remains closed just south of M-13/Jefferson Avenue (Exit 2) to accommodate ramp work. Exit 2 to downtown Saginaw remains open. 
• Southbound I-675 commercial vehicle traffic is detoured via northbound M-13, eastbound M-81, southbound Towerline Road, and westbound M-46. Passenger traffic is rerouted to southbound M-13, then eastbound M-46.  
• The M-81 ramps to I-75 are closed with traffic rerouted east to Towerline Road, then south to westbound M-46. The southbound I-75 ramp to M-81 remains open. 
• The M-13 ramps to I-75 remain closed. Commercial vehicles are detoured via southbound M-13, eastbound M-81, southbound Towerline Road, and westbound M-46. Passenger traffic is rerouted to southbound M-13, then to eastbound M-46. 
• The southbound I-675 on ramps at M-58 (State Street), Second Street, Sixth Street, and Veterans Memorial Park remain closed. 
• The existing detours will remain in effect at Adams Street. 

Thanks Richie Rich.

Get Outdoors Downriver.