International Wildlife Refuge Alliance invites Trenton to Sept. 25 benefit for Detroit River refuge

Joanne Gagne, a board member of the International Wildlife Refuge Alliance, presented to the Trenton City Council on Aug. 18 and invited city leaders and residents to the group’s 19th annual benefit dinner on Thursday, Sept. 25 at Silver Shores Waterfront in Wyandotte. Gagne told council the Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge is “the only international wildlife refuge in North America” and said the refuge manages more than 6,000 acres and cooperatively manages over 20,000 acres along the Detroit River and into Lake Erie. She described recent staffing and budget challenges at the federal Fish and Wildlife Service and said the alliance, as the refuge’s friends group, raises funds, engages the community and advocates on the refuge’s behalf. Gagne said federal Fish and Wildlife staff are prohibited from fundraising, which is why the friends group’s support is important. The alliance’s Sept. 25 event will include dinner, live and silent auctions and the unveiling of a five-year strategic plan; Gagne said the alliance’s goals included selling out 400 seats and raising $75,000 to support refuge programming. She identified the alliance’s executive director, Nicole LaFleur, as a contact and provided the group’s website for tickets. Mayor and councilmembers thanked Gagne and said they would publicize the event through city channels. The presentation was accepted as part of the regular meeting and no formal city financial commitment was requested.