Discover the Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge: the Origin of Detroit's Conservation Renaissance
- Dan Cooke
- Sep 17
- 9 min read
Updated: Sep 27
From grassroots activism to establishing conservation benchmarks in the Great Lakes area, we welcome you to explore the recreational wonder of the Humbug Marsh Unit within the Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge!
"Just one more meeting to go, then it's all ours."
Those words presumably echoed around a commercial real estate developer's head as they exited their vehicle on a cold, rain-drenched September morning in 1998. That same developer had spent months - no, potentially years - developing plans and attracting investors to a tantalizing prospect: converting the last remaining mile of undeveloped, natural coastline along the Detroit River into luxury condominiums, business offices, a golf course, and a marina. Demolition crews were already on standby, waiting impatiently to rid the riverfront of 400 acres of virgin coastal wetlands, oak-hickory forest, and vernal pools.
As soon as the developer stepped out of their car, however, another sound drowned out the rain drops hitting the windshield. And by drowned out, we mean a Ford Field-esque deafening roar.
"SAVE HUMBUG MARSH! SAVE HUMBUG MARSH!"
Tragically for the developer - and miraculously for the Detroit River - over 1,000 citizens from the area surrounding Gibraltar, Michigan, had decided to crash the meeting. The opposition crowd was so large at Gibraltar Carlson High School that there were traffic jams and the fire marshal had to lock the doors. These citizens vehemently opposed the issuance of the requisite permits for destroying Humbug Marsh, citing the irreparable environmental and ecological damage that the unwanted development would cause.
The developer's heart sank to their stomach. American democracy, despite all of its messiness and potency for divisiveness, still represents our society's primary tool for effectuating profound change. For the developer, that meant that the permits would never be issued for their luxury project.
For Humbug Marsh - and the entire Detroit region - that meant that societal values had shifted away from corrosive overdevelopment and towards lasting conservation.
Fast forward to a bluebird day 27 years later. Humbug Marsh is not only golf course-free; it now represents the cornerstone of the Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge, North America's sole international wildlife refuge that protects 6,200 acres of habitat across several plots adjacent to the Detroit River. The community members that crashed that fateful meeting haven't had to raise their voices in over 20 years, following Congress' designation of the marsh and its fellow parcels as a National Wildlife Refuge in 2001 (Humbug Marsh Unit obtained its specific designation in 2004).
Better yet, Humbug Marsh received further adoration in 2010 when it received a "RAMSAR" site designation as a "Wetland of Distinction." The citation for such distinction included that Humbug Marsh "provides habitat for a number of species, is considered essential for the preservation of migrating raptor species and other migrating waterfowl and passerines, and serves as a spawning and nursery habitat for many fish species." This designation further establishes Humbug Marsh as a "wetland of international importance," leading to increased funding opportunities, expansion of protected lands, publicity, and ecological investment in the surrounding region.
Somewhere, that developer is likely still cursing that damp September morning when a community chose conservation over construction. While I hope they went on to launch other successful ventures, I also openly celebrate that defeat. As I'm walking the trails almost 3 decades later, admiring the stunning views of Humbug Island and towering trees that predate European settlement in the region, I find myself saying "Thank you" again, and again, and again.
Those protesters accomplished far more than just saving Humbug Marsh. Their actions provided the ripple that gradually evolved into a renaissance of conservation that has now fully-engulfed our corner of the Great Lakes. Michigan - and especially the Detroit region - are now seen as top-destinations for outdoor recreation and conservation-related tourism. Decades' worth of ecological activism, corporate investment, and meaningful government action have fostered a transformative prioritization of preserving and expanding our outdoor amenities.
And it all started right here - along this peaceful shoreline of the Detroit River.
MEET THE DETROIT RIVER INTERNATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE
Since its establishment in 2001, the Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge has grown immensely in ecological significance, recreational amenities, and, well, size. The Refuge's 6,200 acres consist of more than 30 separate parcels, with the largest located within Humbug Marsh's 405.16 acres.
The concept of the Refuge was born out of a catastrophic need to revitalize the Detroit River. Since the dawn of the 20th century, the Detroit River had served the United States and Canada as a critical transportation corridor and industrial hub that helped shape the economies of the shared metropolitan region. By 1950, the river helped Detroit emerge as the nation’s auto-manufacturing leader, primary shipping channel, and industrial epicenter. However, the ecosystems of the Detroit River and western Lake Erie suffered tremendously from the extensive human modifications, pollution, and development. By the end of the 1960s, the Detroit River was considered one of the most polluted rivers in North America.
In 2000, a group of U.S. and Canadian conservationists and scientists developed a conservation vision for the lower Detroit River ecosystems, promoting the establishment of an international wildlife refuge. Soon after, on December 21st, 2001, the Refuge was established on the U.S. side by Public Law 107-91, with primary management and oversight by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. President Bush's official statement noted that the Refuge constituted "a prime waterfowl migration corridor and is considered a special place for sportsmen, birders, and boaters. . . an estimated 300,000 diving ducks stop in the River to rest and feed during their fall migration from Canada, and at least 65 species of fish live in the Detroit River, including millions of walleye."
Focusing specifically on the Humbug Marsh Unit, the parcel represents the last mile of undeveloped shoreline along the U.S. mainland of the Detroit River and contains important habitat for many rare fish and wildlife species. The Unit's old growth forest contains shagbark hickory, oak, ash and elm trees that dominate the landscape in a mosaicked fashion, while the coastal wetland is dominated by bulrushes, native and naturalized grasses, cattail, and invasive phragmites. The Unit provides a world-class destination for several activities, including unmatched birding, wild edible foraging, fishing off of its massive pier, hunting, kayaking, cross-country skiing, and hiking its "Orange and Green Trails."
We recently led a joint guided hike with our partners at Visit Detroit along the Orange and Green Trails. Both our guides and participants feel in love with these trails all over again, and we have no doubt that your experience would lead to same result.
Here's our recommended route for hiking the Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge's Orange and Green Trails.
HIT THE TRAIL
Total Distance: 3.4 miles
Elevation Gain: 39 feet
Trail Rating: Easy
Route Orientation: Loop from John D. Dingell, Jr. Visitor Center trailhead
Parking Specifics: Free parking available at Visitor Center
Your hike at the Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge should technically begin with a stop within the state-of-the-art John D. Dingell, Jr. Visitor Center. Much like the DNR Outdoor Adventure Center, the Visitor Center contains a spectacle of engaging exhibits, nature store, rentable equipment, and interactive programs for the whole family to enjoy. The Visitor Center also features fire rings with stunning views of the Detroit River, so anyone disinterested in the hike could easily enjoy a full afternoon exploring and relaxing around the Visitor Center.
Note that while the trails are open sunrise to sunset year-round, the Visitor Center is only open Thursday - Sunday, from 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM. Please plan in advance if your visit to the Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge will include a noteworthy visit to the Visitor Center, especially if you plan on renting binoculars, fishing poles with tackle boxes, or an "explorer pack" during your visit.
From the Visitor Center, your hike truly begins by crossing the bridge located directly south of the Visitor Center. The informational pergola constitutes the official "trailhead," and we recommend spending a minute or two reading the treasure trove of informational golden nuggets contain within its placards. One of the placards also contains a trail map of the Humbug Marsh Unit in case you opt to deviate from the route described here.
The Refuge's "Orange Trail," covering a scenic 0.5 miles, starts on the other side of the bridge. Keep right as you start on the hike heading towards your first destination of the hike, a wildlife observation deck that contains panoramic views of Humbug Island and the larger marsh. The observation deck features fixed viewing lenses, but we still recommend that you bring your own binoculars for spotting rare migrating wildlife on Humbug Island (including bald eagles).
From this first viewing deck, continue along the shoreline for another scenic 0.2 miles until you reach your first turnaround point. Although only a short distance, this stretch of the trail is objectively one of the most interesting - especially for younger hikers. The route includes a "human-sized bald eagle nest," informational shelter (ideal for inclement weather), and wildflower-lined boardwalks. Look for great blue herons, egrets, geese, ducks, and other aquatic wildlife from the scenic turnaround point.
Follow the Orange Trail inland as you circumnavigate the Refuge's inland marsh en route to the Green Trail. This next segment starts at a confluence of the Orange, Green, and paved "General Trail" (which is actually a part of the Downriver Linked Greenways/Iron Belle Trail - more on that later). Keep this intersection in mind for later, but at this juncture of the hike, just be sure to turn left onto the Green Trail.
The next 0.4 miles of hiking weave through the "new growth" segment of the hike. In the warmer months, you will be hiking through a tunnel of smaller trees with little visibility. Note that this segment does experience notable mud during the spring thaw and after notable rain showers. Put differently, we recommend wearing proper hiking boots for this segment alone.
A wide-open clearing dotted by black walnut trees signals that you are out of the thick brush and nearing my favorite section of the hike: the old growth forest. I had the pleasure of hiking this segment of the Green Trail during golden hour a few weeks ago, and stating that it was "magical" would be criminally underselling the experience. The gentle waving trees, idyllic pastures, and wandering wildlife transport you for a few miles to scenery native to Tolkien's Middle Earth vs. Metro Detroit.
The towering oak, hickory, beech, and maple trees that you're hiking under have witnessed every era of the Detroit region's societal progression. As saplings, they grew alongside the Wyandot tribes that first settled, fished, and hunted the shorelines of the river. They later shaded the first French explorers that colonized the Great Lakes region, followed closely by the British. The War of 1812, Underground Railroad, Prohibition, and industrialization all left historical marks on the Refuge's surroundings - yet these trees remained.
Now, 27 years after they were slated for imminent destruction, you too get to witness their beauty. A lasting natural monument to a bygone era. A gorgeous 0.7 total miles of hiking through a living arboretum of history. How unbelievably cool is that?!
On the far-end of the trail you will reach your final "turnaround point" at trail marker #14. Despite what the trail map may imply, we strongly advise not venturing beyond the trail marker sign. Unlike Point Pelee, this "tip" is entirely off-trail and very overgrown (as well as blanketed in spider webs). Instead, look forward to another jaunt through the Old Growth Forest's riverbank-adjacent trail (turn right at trail marker #13) as you retrace your steps towards trail marker #8 (the earlier-described intersection).
Your hike concludes with a brief stint along the Downriver Linked Greenways paved trail before turning right at the 3.2 mile mark towards the Visitor Center. This final act of the Refuge's trail system features one of its most beautiful segments: a tenth of a mile of "boardwalk hiking," lined by dual ponds teeming with wildlife. Keep a sharp eye for egrets that frequent these ponds, as well as a plethora of duck species.
The hike reaches its terminus exactly where you started at the Visitor Center.
WEEKEND BONUS TIPS
In full transparency, labeling these additional excursions as "Weekend Bonus Tips" is absolutely unnecessary. Why? Because the greater Monroe area is so jam-packed with world-class outdoor recreation destinations that you practically stumble upon a new one just by picking a direction of travel.
For example, on a recent visit to the Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge, I complemented my hike of the Refuge's trail system with a greater exploratory gravel ride. Immediately upon riding outside of the Refuge's main gate, I turned left onto the Downriver Linked Greenways Trail - a segment of the industry-redefining Iron Belle Trail - and rode south to Lake Erie Metropark. On the way I passed by the location of the Battle of Brownstown, an important confrontation of the Great Lakes theater of the War of 1812.
The Battle of Brownstown historical site merely scratches the surface of historical recreation along the banks of the Detroit River and Lake Erie. During the War of 1812, the southeastern shoreline of Michigan provided the primary corridor for American, British, Canadian, and Native American troop movements throughout the conflict. River Raisin National Battlefield Park - the location of both the single bloodiest battle ever fought on Michigan soil and the United States' worst defeat of the entire war - is situated just 18.4 miles south of the Refuge.
The #TrailTuesday Series idea highlighting specific outdoor destinations throughout the Detroit region started as a recommendation from readers looking for a deeper analysis into the individual trails that define Detroit's vast network. One of our main goals for this platform is to produce content that reflects the outdoor interests and desires of our community, so please continue to provide us with your suggestions via our contact form or here in the comments!
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