Roberta Urbani, secretary of the International Wildlife Refuge Alliance, and Edward Smith, an alliance board member and former Brownstown Township supervisor, spoke to the Grosse Ile Township Board on Aug. 26 about the Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge and local connections.

Urbani described the refuge’s history, noting that local citizens organized in the late 1990s to protect Humbug Marsh and that Congress established the Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge with legislation signed Dec. 21, 2001. She said all of Grosse Ile lies within the refuge boundary and that the refuge includes multiple units associated with the island, including Calf Island, Gibraltar Bay and Sugar Island.

Urbani invited trustees and residents to the International Wildlife Refuge Alliance’s 19th annual benefit dinner on Thursday, Sept. 25, from 5:30 to 9 p.m. at the Silver Shores Waterfront Banquet Center in Wyandotte. "We're hoping to raise $75,000," she said, and added the alliance wants strong community representation; she said the group will publish an attendee spreadsheet and community counts in its October newsletter.

Edward Smith, who served as Brownstown Township supervisor, said the refuge is a regional resource for migratory birds, fish and pollinators and emphasized its recreational and educational roles. He said the refuge supports tourism, fish and wildlife habitat improvements, and regional collaboration among neighboring jurisdictions.

Urbani also told trustees about upcoming local events supported by refuge partners, including a Birds of Prey program at the refuge visitor center on Sept. 6 (afternoon) and other nature walks later in the month. She provided contact information and said tickets can be bought through the alliance website or by phone.