Trenton's Refuge Gateway Gets Generous Donation from CN

The Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge secured a $200,000 donation from the Canadian rail operator CN to be used for a new educational and recreational hub.

Plans for the hub include a Great Lakes school ship dock and world-class fishing pier at the Refuge Gateway, which is over 44-acres of former industrial brownfield property.

The Refuge is located in the Humbug Marsh and owned by Wayne County. The marsh represents the last mile of natural shoreline on the U.S. mainland of the Detroit River, according to a CN release.

"Its habitats are truly exceptional and support remarkable biodiversity, including 51 species of fish, 90 species of plants, 154 species of birds, seven species of reptiles and amphibians, and 37 species of dragonflies and damselflies," according to the release.

The fishing pier is right in the center of the "walleye capitol of the world," and will be available at no cost.

A large, intersecting dock will be built for Michigan Sea Grant's Great Lakes school ship, which operates on the Detroit River and Lake Erie. Children from school across Michigan will be able to learn about plants and wildlife firsthand at the Refuge.

The entire project is expected to cost about $2.8 million. The combined monies raised, including CN's donation, is about $1.8 million, according to the release. Advocates and organizations affiliated with the Refuge hope to raise and additional $1 million by the end of the year.

Wayne County Exacutive Robert Ficano said the Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge improves Michgan residents' quality of life and enhance Wayne County's competitive advantage.

"Wayne County is proud to be a part of building North America's only international wildlife refuge in Michigan's largest county with nearly 2 million residents," Ficano said in the release.

Visit www.fws.gov/midwest/DetroitRiver for more information on the project.