Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge
Birdwatching Eco-tourism & Education Project, Michigan Sea Grant and the International Wildlife Refuge Alliance

Note: This project was completed in the spring of 2007
See: Byways to Flyways brochure

Project Goals
To construct a wildlife observation deck and educational signage at Humbug Marsh in the Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge.

To promote eco-tourism through the development of a birdwatching driving tour map and educational brochure for Southeast Michigan and Southwest Ontario.

This project is a partnership of the International Wildlife Refuge Alliance (IWRA) and Michigan Sea Grant, supported by Wild Birds Unlimited, Inc. Pathways to Nature®Conservation Fund, a program of the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation.

The Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge covers 48 miles of shoreline along the lower Detroit River and the western basin of Lake Erie. It focuses on conserving, protecting and restoring habitat for 29 species of waterfowl, 65 kinds of fish and 300 species of migratory birds, see website.

The mission of the IWRA is to support the first International Wildlife Refuge in North America by working through partnerships to protect, conserve and manage the refuge’s wildlife and habitats, and to create exceptional conservation, recreational and educational experiences to develop the next generation of conservation stewards.

The IWRA is supported by DTE Energy Foundation, BASF Corp., DaimlerChrysler, Ford Motor Company /AutoAlliance, General Motors Corp., ITC Transmission, Hamilton-Anderson & Assoc., Praxair and Wade Trim.