The Friends Of Ojibway Prairie

10/29/2026

Congratulations to FOOP volunteer extraordinaire Michelle Mastellotto for winning the prestigious Hank Hunt Award for her amazing work with Holiday Beach Migration Observatory! Thank you so much for all you do, Michelle.

‼️Holiday Beach Migration Observatory Honours Michelle Mastellotto with the Prestigious Hank Hunt Award‼️

Michelle joined HBMO in 2017. By becoming outstanding and deligent Treasurer of organization in 2019, she became close knit family member of HBMO.
Michelle passion for the birding was instrumental in reviving Passerine Banding Program after COVID. She is very engaged in bird banding, hawk watching and joins any projects whenever opportunities arise. HBMO is very proud and thankful for her support and hard work.
Michelle statement after receiving award:
“I am most humbled to have my name on the Hank Hunt Memorial Award plaque with such venerable members of the birding, conservation, and naturalist community.”
HBMO thanks you for all you do to promote our organization.
Keep Looking Up!
📸 Michelle Mastellotto with Hugh Kent.

10/28/2026

Four years ago today, partners and supporters of Ojibway National Urban Park appeared before the House of Commons Standing Committee on Environment and Sustainable Development (ENVI) to share their support for Bill C-248 to establish the park.

​Four years later, our community remains steadfast in supporting a national urban park that protects the full Ojibway Prairie Complex and neighbouring lands forever.

​Thank you to all who continue to share your passionate support for the prairie! 🌾💚



Wildlands League
Fred Francis
Brian Masse
Mike Fisher

10/19/2026

Concerning footage from our friend Russ Jones at Essex County Nature Sightings. The spotted lanternfly has appeared in the Ojibway Prairie Complex in recent weeks and grown in numbers. Naturalists with local agencies continue to assess the situation.

What to do if you find a spotted lanternfly: https://inspection.canada.ca/en/plant-health/invasive-pests-and-plants/insects/spotted-lanternfly

10/18/2026

The Province of Ontario is looking at adding 126 hectares of land to Ojibway Prairie Provincial Park as part of its plan to expand protected areas across Ontario.

The provincial consultation provides an opportunity to review the proposed boundaries and share perspectives on the ecological significance of the Ojibway Prairie Complex and its long-term protection.

We encourage members to participate in the provincial consultation and share why protecting Ojibway matters to them.

Have your say by October 23, 2026.

👉 Read the proposal and submit your comments through the provincial consultation : https://ero.ontario.ca/notice/026-0904

Your input matters as we work toward a future that protects and grows the Ojibway Prairie Complex and advances the vision of a National Urban Park for Windsor-Essex.

10/15/2026

It's always wonderful to see longtime FOOP supporter and legendary Ojibway Prairie naturalist Paul Pratt sharing his wealth of knowledge with the community. A fantastic initiative through the Arts Council Windsor & Region Senior Community Arts Program.

10/15/2026

A big Ojibway Prairie welcome to all the newcomers exploring the park with Multicultural Council of Windsor-Essex! We hope to see you out on the trails again soon.

10/14/2026

Thank you to our good friends at Local 444 Environment Committee for their continued support of the Ojibway Prairie Complex! At the 50th Anniversary celebration of the Ojibway Nature Centre, we were thankful to receive funding from their most recent Haunted History Walking Tours.

🌿 LOCAL 444 GIVES BACK

Local 444 is proud to donate $500 to the Friends of Ojibway Prairie, funded by our Haunted Walk! 👻🌿

A little Halloween fun turned into something good for our community, helping support the protection and preservation of Ojibway Prairie.

Thank you to everyone who came out and supported the Haunted Walk!

10/14/2026

Congratulations to FOOP member and local environmental advocate and steward, Tom Henderson, on the acquisition and dedication of a new protected woodlot in LaSalle. The woodlot will be managed by our good friends at Canada South Land Trust. Thank you to Tom for all he does for nature across our community. We look forward to many future visits to the Jim Henderson Memorial Woods and to the possibility of one day seeing it included in an Ojibway National Urban Park!

Detroit River Canadian Cleanup
Essex County Nature

🌳 A Beautiful Gift to LaSalle and a Lasting Legacy.

One of the things I love most about LaSalle is our natural areas, mature trees and green spaces. As our community continues to grow, protecting these spaces for future generations is more important than ever.

That’s why I was so pleased to receive some wonderful news from Tom Henderson, a longtime environmental champion in Windsor-Essex.

For decades, Tom has dedicated his time to protecting our region’s natural environment. From planting thousands of trees and helping establish the Little River Enhancement Group to advocating for the protection of Ojibway Shores, his commitment to conservation has been remarkable.

And now, his efforts have left a lasting mark on LaSalle.

Tom purchased a woodlot behind Trillium Park along Suzanne Street, not to develop it, but to protect it.

On September 4, he officially transferred ownership to the Canada South Land Trust, ensuring the property will be cared for and protected for generations to come. Volunteers have already begun documenting the rich diversity of trees, plants and wildlife found there.

But there is an even more meaningful story behind this gift.

The property will be named Jim Henderson Memorial Woods, in loving memory of Tom’s late son, who shared in his father’s early environmental efforts.

What a beautiful tribute and an incredible legacy.

I have always believed that protecting what makes LaSalle special is a shared responsibility. The Town has an important role to play, but individuals like Tom remind us just how much of a difference one person can make.

Thank you, Tom, for everything you have done for our region and for choosing LaSalle as the home for such a meaningful and lasting tribute. 💚