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DRIWR Gibraltar Bay Unit Dedication - 23 Oct 2010
On Saturday 23 Oct 2010 I had the pleasure to attend the dedication ceremony of the Gibraltar Bay Unit addition to the Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge. Members of the U.S. EPA, Grosse Ile Nature and Land Conservancy, Township of Grosse Ile, and U.S. Congressman John D. Dingell (D) were in attendance to commemorate the event. I always hesitate to write about such events because efforts like this involve the hard work and commitment of a great number of peoples. As such, to list some names will inevitably result in the omission of others and it is not my intention to do so.
I arrived at the GBU a few minutes before 1 pm and had the opportunity get a few pics of the bay just up the road from the entrance. I created this panorama from a half-dozen images and used Photoshop's PhotoMerge utility to stitch the images together.
I made my way around the back of the tent, where Karen Young of the Michigan Hawking Club was there with three special members of her Birds of Prey Program, thanks to the sponsorhip of DTE Energy. A lovely American Kestrel was perched alongside a Peregrine Falcon and a Red-tailed Hawk (at left). I couldn't resist the chance to get some photos, so w/ Karen's permission I took some portrait shots of the birds with Sigma 28-50 mm f/2.8.
Not having the time to explore the unit, I took a few moments to grab a set of photos of the trail head so as to generate another panorama.
Congressman Dingell arrived promptly at 1 pm and chatted with friends prior to the start of the dedication. I snuck to the side of the tent and decided to record videos of the dedication using the Nikon Coolpix P6000. Among the dignitaries attending the dedication ceremony were Richard Micka (Chairman of the International Wildlife Refuge Alliance), Brian Loftus (Grosse Ile Township Supervisor), Dr. Russ Kreis (Director of the EPA's Large Lakes Research Station), Dr. Carl Richards (Director of the U.S. EPA's Midwest Office), Dr. Elizabeth Hugel (President of the Grosse Ile Nature & Land Conservancy), Dr. Hartig, and Congressman Dingell.
Dr. Kreis opened the dedication by recognizing several members of the audience that contributed their time and efforts to the acquisition of the Unit. He then went on to describe the importance of the acquisition: more than twelve identified habitat types, greater than 1000' of shoreline that includes two of the largest remaining macroemergent wetlands on the US side of the Detroit River, and more than 280 spp. of plants, fish, birds, reptiles, mammals and amphibians (some on the state's protected list).
Dr. Hartig followed with a few comments describing the importance of Gibraltar Bay as an important fishery for more than 30 spp. of spawning bass, sunfish, suckers (including a state-listed Spotted Sucker) and minnows. For us birders, Gibraltar Bay is a hotspot for migrating passerines and waterbirds and will now be available for us to enjoy.
Dr. Hugel then provided a brief history of the property (bottom land of the Detroit River, Navy Seaplane Base, Dept. of Defense Missile site, EPA wetland research, and now refuge) and reflected on future plans for the refuge. She recognized several key members of the audience (Bruce Jones and Bill Heinrich, who first had the vision of a nature area at the site), Senator Carl Levin and Congressman Dingell. On behalf of the Conservancy, local scouts presented Mr. Dingell with a gift in appreciation for his efforts.
Mr. Loftus emphasized the efforts of those who helped clean up and remediate the former missile site and credited Mr. Dingell with spearheading efforts to convert the property for a future refuge. He then introduced Congressman Dingell to the audience.
Congressman Dingell then took a few minutes to recognize the efforts of the speakers before him and those in the audience that helped play a part in this acquisition. He then reflected a bit on the history of the Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge and efforts to protect the remaining portions of this important ecosystem from future development. Finally, he recognized the efforts of Dr. Hartig as a Michigan Green Leader and presented him w/ a statement he made in the Congressional Record recognizing John's effort as a Green Leader.
With that, the dedication concluded, and after a few photo opps, the audience was encouraged to enjoy a walk through the new refuge.
As for me, I had to get back to Lake Erie Metropark, so I made a quick stop to grab a few portrait shots of those birds that will benefit from this new addition to the International Wildlife Refuge. Congratulations, Gibraltar Bay!
