Lake Erie Metropark
(Lower Detroit River)
Presented by
Michigan Sea Grant and
Michigan State University Extension
in partnership with Huron-Clinton Metropolitan Authority
with support from:
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
National Science Foundation
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Great Lakes Restoration Initiative
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
MI DNR
DTE Energy
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Lower Detroit River Registration & Directions |
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No Child Left on Shore (FREE)
The Detroit River beckons all lads and lassies for a nature/history adventure cruise for kids 6-17 years old (one parent only per family, please). We'll cruise around the many islands, probe the bottom for invertebrates, investigate the fish and bird life of the river, get a taste of the rich history of the area (did you know that a Navy pilots once practiced their bombing techniques off of Grosse Isle?), and peer into the long term climate picture. This is one day where no child should be left inside or on shore!
See: Schedule |
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Fireworks!
According to the professors at Wikipedia, "Pyrotechnics is the science of using materials capable of undergoing self-contained and self-sustained exothermic chemical reactions…" If you'd rather watch and listen than read about them, join us for the Lake Erie Metropark Fireworks and let us enlighten you with interesting facts about those things that go flash and boom over our night skies at this time of year. A bang up time is guaranteed.
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Aliens Among Us
When the French explorers first encountered the Great Lakes, they described a garden of earthly delights. Now, almost four centuries later, we are faced with lamprey, zebra mussels, silver carp, gobies, Phragmites, and purple loosestrife – alien invaders intent on changing the way we recreate and work in the Great Lakes. This cruise will explore the alien species among us, their impacts on the Great Lakes ecosystem, and what and we can do to minimize their impact and spread.
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Night Watch
Join the crew of the E/V Clinton on a late evening cruise and learn about navigating under the stars using charts, lights and the heavens themselves. Our cruise will take us through the history of navigation from the discovery of latitude and longitude to today's Loran and GPS systems. As darkness descends, we will set sail for lighthouses and search the heavens for constellations and the North Star to help guide us to our home port.
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Wind, Waves & Weather
The Great Lakes influence our weather, and the weather can have a great influence on the Great Lakes (ever hear of the Great Storm of 1913?). Join NOAA National Weather Service meteorologists on a cruise that explores the “why?” behind the wind, waves, and weather around us. Learn how to be safe the next time weather threatens, what some of the old sailor sayings like "Red sky at night, sailor's delight" really mean, why we don't have hurricanes in the Great Lakes, what kind of wave a "seiche" is, and much more! We ship out rain or shine!
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Detroit River Revival
Come aboard and join the revival - the Detroit River Revival, that is! Dr. John Hartig, Manager of the Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge, will be our guest cruise director and will share his insights on the incredible revival of the Detroit River, including its habitats, wildlife and fishery resources. Learn how this revival has been accomplished, who has contributed, and what's in store for the future. This will be a great opportunity to celebrate the progress made as we visit Humbug Island and other gems of the “new” Detroit River.
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Handy Billy
Join us on this one-of-a-kind cruise! Handy Billy is a group of folks who love our Great Lakes and its related music. Handy Billy’s founder, Captain Allen Wolfe, is joined by Christine Crissman, Andy Spence, and Captain Gary Longton. Their songs have much to teach about shipboard life and the Great Lakes themselves. Sing alongs and group participation are heartily encouraged. The cruise forecast? A fair chance of nautical, musical mayhem. See you aboard!
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River Detroit Island History
Cruising among the lower Detroit River Islands we search the human stories that shaped the early history of her waters, from Native American, French and British times through to the early years of the Michigan Territory and statehood. It’s a time travel experience without the jet lag!
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Strait Talk Island History
Cruising among the lower Detroit River Islands we tell the human stories that shaped the 19th & 20th century history of her waters. This look at the living riverscape covers the rumrunners, sailors, fishermen, entrepreneurs, and engineers that shaped the ”recent” past along these shores.
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All Aboard Kids Cruise
Learn
some sailor talk (the good kind!), rope work, a few pirate skills,
anchor haulin’, deck swabbing, and depth sounding. You’ll even get a
chance to pull up some of the finest bottom muck you’ve ever laid eyes
on. Aye, it’s a fun and educational journey through time and place
(parents are welcome - if they behave).
See: Schedule |
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Eagle's Eye Nature Cruises
Take
a naturalist's tour of the lower Detroit River to discover the rich
variety of plant and animal life living here in this area, now a part
of the new International Wildlife Refuge. The river is host to a wide
variety of habitats from submerged plant beds and shoals to coastal
marshes. And yes, we know where the Bald Eagle nests are!
This year, there are two options for departing:
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ROV Adventures
Come
aboard and join Captain Gary Longton, who will lead us in an
exploration of the underwater world offshore of Lake Erie Metropark
using “Little Ricky,” DTE Energy’s Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV).
What do you think we'll see beneath the waves? You may be in for a
surprise!
See: Schedule
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Shipping Out
Sign
on for a voyage into the world of Great Lakes shipping with former
sailor and ancient mariner Patrick Livingston, author of the Library of
Michigan award winning Eight Steamboats-Sailing Through the Sixties,
As the E/V Clinton cruises through the channels of the lower Detroit
River, you will learn about lakers and salties, legendary sailors and
Lake Erie shipwrecks. With some luck, you might even get up close and
personal to a thousand-footer or two along the way. Wear your Old Spice!
See: Schedule
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Great Lakes Science for Teachers
This
cruise for teachers – teachers only please – will focus on the Great
Lakes from a science education perspective. Learn how to relate
biology, chemistry, geology and physics to the Great Lakes that define
Michigan. This “research cruise” is designed to help you share the
Great Lakes with your K-12 students. Also find out about opportunities
for additional professional development which come with participant
stipends and/or scholarships.
See: Schedule
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Whiskey River
During
National Prohibition the Detroit River was better known as the "Whiskey
River" due to the incredible amount of illegal hootch that crossed over
it from Canada. Let's re-visit the bad old days when rum-runners
ruled and dry laws were meant to be broken. We'll look at the lower
river through the eyes of a bootlegger and spin a few yarns sure to put
your truth meter on alert.
See: Schedule
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Fish-story Cruise
Since
pre-history, the lower Detroit River has been known as a rich fishing
ground. Because fishermen tend to embellish the truth about “the one
that got away,” this river has also spawned some pretty good fish
stories over the centuries. Join us for an all around look at
fish ecology, commercial fishing history, and the re-telling of a few
“whoppers” (some actually true). We'll peek at prime fish habitats with
the underwater cam, take a close look at some fish specimens and
historic artifacts/photos along the way.
See: Schedule
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Bob-Lo Island History Cruise
Award
winning author Patrick Livingston will lead this tour around Bob-lo
Island - Detroit's island playground of the Twentieth Century. Cruise
participants will explore the critical role the island played in the
lives of Native Americans and Canadians, French coureurs de bois,
British military, Detroit's upper class and the millions of people who
escaped to Bob-lo's amusement park for a one day holiday for almost one
hundred years. Livingston will share island anecdotes and illustrations
from his Summer Dreams - The Story of Bob-lo Island,
recognized by the library of Michigan as a Notable Book of 2009. Feel
free to bring along your own Bob-lo stories and souvenirs as we cruise
back in time to The Greatest Spot On Earth.
See: Schedule |
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Big River Meander
Enjoy
an extended four-hour cruise to explore the natural and cultural
history of the Lower Detroit River and its islands. Our journey around
the north end of Grosse Ile and into Canadian waters will provide ample
opportunities to view manmade structures such as the swing bridges,
navigation lights, and passing ships as well as observe bird life,
discuss aquatic ecology, and explain why the Detroit River is not
really a river at all. Along the way, we’ll meet up with Mama Juda and
find out who put the “Fight” into Fighting Island. This one has it all.
Note: This cruise has an additional cost of $5 per participant.
See: Schedule |
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Lower Lighthouse Lore ("Triple-L on the D")
Join
us as we enlighten you with the Lighthouse Lore of the Lower Detroit
River. Our journey out into the storied waters of the river mouth will
take take us alongside the scenic Detroit River Light to learn about
the daily life of the old-time keepers, and cruise past the picturesque
Grosse Ile Light. If we're lucky, we'll find out what happened to Mama
Juda and avoid hitting the Rock of Gibraltar!
See: Schedule |
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Journey through the Straits
Park your car at Harbor Hill marina in Detroit and board the E/V Clinton for a fantastic five hour voyage from the upper reaches of the Detroit River to Lake Erie. As the Clinton travels in the wake of both the early Great Lakes voyageurs and present day sailors, we'll explore the Straits of Detroit from several perspectives. Our cruise begins just south of Peche Isle, the first island in the straits and the site of Chief Pontiac's summer camp. We will pass by the old French ribbon farms, Cadillac's landing, the Detroit Riverwalk and then under the Ambassador Bridge. Then we pass the J.W. Westcott mailboat and the old Bob-lo boats on the way to the industrial heartland featuring impressive steel mills. Finally we enter the Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge, with its beautiful islands and abundant wildlife. We take a shuttle bus back to Harbor Hill where you pick up your car to complete your Journey Through the Straits!
See: Schedule |
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