ara Kenny photo by T photo

Spring 2013 Newsletter Volume 31, Issue 1 ISSN 0824-5126

FortWhyte News 3

Volunteers 6

Special events 7

Membership 9

nature shop & buffalo stone cafÉ 11 www.fortwhyte.org public programming 12 contact information Connect with FortWhyte online! www.facebook.com/FortWhyteAlive www.twitter.com/FortWhyteAlive

1961 McCreary Rd. Winnipeg, MB R3P 2K9 FortWhyte Alive recognizes E-mail: [email protected] major contributors ($1,000+) since December 2011 www.fortwhyte.org SUSTAINING PARTNERS Manitoba Blue Cross Roger Watson Jewellers Ltd. SUSTAINING PARTNERS Recorded Info: (204) 989-8350 $20,000+ Manitoba Community WestJet INDIVIDUALS City of Winnipeg, Water and Services Council Winnipeg Winter Club $20,000+ PH: (204) 989-8355 Waste Department Manitoba Liquor Control The Cipryk Family Commission FORTWHYTE FARMS MAJOR Domtar Inc. PROGRAM SUPPORTERS Douglas Pollard & Kristie Lafarge Canada Manitoba Lotteries Pearson Daily Admission Boeing Canada Manitoba Aboriginal & Northern Corporation Estate of David Skinner Manitoba Public Insurance Centre for Aboriginal Human Adults: $7 Affairs $10,000+ Mann Financial Assurance Ltd. Resource Development Manitoba Culture, Heritage Kris & Shirley Benidickson Seniors (55+): $6 & Tourism Manulife Financial Graham C. Lount Family Foundation Anonymous Manitoba Climate Change Maple Leaf Construction Students & Children: $5 Heifer International Action Fund McKim Cringan George $5,000+ Home Depot Canada Manitoba Conservation Fund Mountain Equipment Co-op Members & Children Under 3: FREE Foundation Richard & Kim Enright Manitoba Education, Citizenship Oakley Optical Ltd. Intact Foundation Jack & Zina Lazareck & Youth On Course Capital Inc. Investors Group Ken & Lesley Powell Manitoba Hydro The Prairie Summit Shop The Great-West Life $1,000+ Spring Hours of Operation RBC Foundation Prendiville Industries Assurance Company Robert & Nancy Adkins TD Friends of the Environment Claudio Rigatto Medical Corp. The Keg Steakhouse & Bar Gail Asper & Michael Monday – Friday: RBC Dominion Securities $10,000+ Manitoba Community Places Paterson RS Distribution Services 9 am – 5 pm Cambrian Credit Union Program Bob Chipman Scatliff Miller Murray HSBC Bank Canada Manitoba Metis Federation Marion Corbett Shaftesbury High School Thursdays in May: MTS Allstream The Thomas Sill Foundation Inc. John Corp & Mary Elizabeth StreetSide Development The Running Room The Winnipeg Foundation McKenzie 9 am – 8 pm Corporation Winnipeg Jets True North Douglas Craig (Carole C. $5,000+ Stuart Olson Dominion Foundation Saturday, Sunday & Holidays: Construction Ltd Craig Fund) BFI Canada ENDOWMENT FUND Estate of Winnifred Crowston Honda Canada Foundation Sturgeon Tire 10 am – 5 pm Bob Edgar Stantec Consulting Ltd. Superior Management Inc. Paul Albrechtsen Foundation Inc. Bill Elliott Wawanesa Insurance Swancoat Investments Ltd. Estate of Bente Cunnings TD Canada Trust Norman Coghlan R. A. (Sam) Fabro $1,000+ Buffalo Stone CafÉ Teshmont Consultants LP Evelyn & David Friesen Hon. Gary & Janice Filmon Administrative Facilities Limited Tetrem Capital Management Inc. In Memory of Eleonora Ken & Marjorie Grower Partnership Winnipeg School Division (Leonoor) Jansson Doug Harvey Aon Reed Stenhouse Randy Moffat & Laurie Stovel Daniel Hunt BDO Dunwoody LLP IN KIND In Memory of Major General James & Roberta MacDonald Bison Transport Inc. Banville & Jones Elliot Rodger William McGowan PH: (204) 989-8370 Blind Ambitions Blight Native Seeds Ltd. William & Erna Pruitt John & Liz Prall www.fortwhyte.org/buffalostonecafe BMO Nesbitt Burns Ducks Unlimited Canada Estate of Kenneth Redshaw Joan Richardson Boston Pizza Esdale Printing Company Ltd. Wilson & Judith Rodger Shirley Richardson Contact the café for seasonal hours. CAA Manitoba Auto Club Friesens Corporation Estate of Perry Ross In Memory of Gogie Shnier Cabela’s Retail Canada Inc. Global Refrigeration & Alan W. Scarth, C.M., Q.C. Jackie Stephen Coca-Cola Refreshments Canada Mechanical Inc. Sheilah Sweatman Memorial Bob & Judy Stewart Fund Confidence Management Ltd. Hanford-Drewitt Ltd. Teddi & Wynn Sweatman Nature Shop Jud Snell Dufresne Group Innovative Laser Works Bruce & Wendy Zimmer Janzen Photography Estate of Dr. Burton C. Ernst & Young LLP Anonymous Farm Credit Canada Lindsey Steek & Company Stewart Friesens Corporation Mark’s Work Wearhouse In Memory of Arthur Tooley IN KIND Fountain Tire Nunavut Art Gallery Anonymous Dee Buchwald PH: (204) 989-8355 Groundstar Systems (1987) Ltd. QX104 George Richardson Redd Line Jewellery Peter Sawatzky www.fortwhyte.org/natureshop Kleysen Group LP For the Nature Lover! Featuring birding products, local art, nature books, clothing, toys, and more. BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Bob Brennan Bob Edgar Shannon Johnson Marty Maykut Nancy Cipryk Bill Elliott Jeff Lamothe Peter Muir Junior Damianidis Richard Enright Jack Lazareck Doug Pollard

2 FortWhyte Life Spring 2013 Newsletter FortWhyte News Greening your piece of the Planet

by Minna Goulet Naturescape coordinator, FOrtWhyte Alive Our green spaces are becoming smaller, and smaller… and smaller. What were once vast areas of wilderness are disappearing, and plants, animals, and insects are having a hard time adapting.

e too are having difficulty adapting to these changes in our surroundings. As people spend more time on computers, watching tv or traveling in cars, Wour opportunities to interact with nature are becoming increasingly scarce. Human beings rely on healthy ecosystems for clean water, to purify our air, and for food – but spending time outside surrounded by nature can also nurture the mind, body, and spirit. As Earth continues to lose species of plants and animals, it’s up to all of us to take action – and it starts in our own backyards. Spring is the perfect time to remove yourself from that ‘plugged in’ lifestyle, to diversify your yard, and turn your piece of the planet into an urban oasis for plants, animals, and your family! Enhancing your backyard can be fun and rewarding, and may be as simple as introducing new plant species, composting, or adding a water feature to your existing green space. Not sure where to start? FortWhyte is here to help! Our Naturescape program offers a variety of presentations, workshops, and kids’ programs, that will give you the tools you need to transform your property into a biodiversity hot spot. Get inspired! Check out our Top 10 Tips for Greening Your Piece of the Planet 

www.fortwhyte.org 3 FortWhytePage NTewsitle Let Nature, well, be Natural! Many people want to have every piece of their property meticulously groomed, but it’s not necessarily nature’s way. 1 Why not try letting things go just a little bit more “natural”? Plant a Tree, or Three! Trees provide shelter and shade, hold soil in place, help purify the air and absorb carbon dioxide (one of the greenhouse gases contributing to global climate change). Plant a coniferous tree – they provide more shelter, which can cut down on heating costs in the winter, 2 and cooling in the summer!

Grow Native Species. Native species are plants that grew in a given area before human settlement. They are adapted to local conditions and often 3 require less maintenance than non-native species. naturescape workshops

Compost. Landfills are designed Avoid Chemical Herbicides Watch your Water! Water is so that materials do not break and Pesticides. Most products becoming an increasingly valuable down. Instead of sending your will kill not only the “bad” bugs resource. Instead of watering your 4 yard and kitchen waste to 5 but the good ones as well. lawn and garden with treated Eliminating even one insect in a drinking water, install a rain barrel the dump, why not compost? 6 The material will break down food chain will affect the whole to capture runoff. Inexpensive and produce a naturally rich system. Use natural solutions rain barrels are now available at fertilizer that will help your to manage problematic insects. FortWhyte! Or, plant species that garden thrive. And it can be are adapted to drier conditions. If done year round! you just can’t avoid watering, turn on the tap during the cool parts of the day.

Leave it to the Leaves. Leaf litter Add a Water Feature. From Provide a Little Extra Shelter. provides shelter for overwintering the smallest of creatures to the All living creatures need protection insects. Try leaving mulched grass predators at the top of the food from predators and the elements. clippings and leaves on your chain, all living things need 9 Try leaving fallen logs or 7 lawn in the fall after the final cut. create a rock pile. 8 water. Adding a water source Or, rake leaves into hedges and will provide our two-, four-, For those bigger bushes. Remember to and six-legged friends creatures, install save a couple of bags to with a much needed a nesting or add to your compost drink and protection roosting box. in the spring! from predators.

4 FortWhyte Life Spring 2013 Newsletter FPacesage T ofitle FortWhyte Don’t Clean Up! Leaving plants to die naturally helps maximize nutrients to the roots and it’s especially important for perennials. Dead foliage provides insulation, encourages root survival and, when covered with snow, adds interesting shapes to your yard. 10 Additionally, leaving plants in place provides food and shelter to a variety of birds and critters during the long winter months.

Is your Backyard a Biodiversity Hotspot? Certify your Property! To acknowledge your steps in encouraging and increasing biodiversity, FortWhyte Alive will endorse and certify your property. To be certified, your habitat must provide food, water, shelter and space as suggested on the checklist. Ian Barnett If you’d like more information on how to green your piece of the planet, please visit: Social Enterprise Programs Manager, www.fortwhyte.org/naturescape FortWHyte Alive Ian started his career at FortWhyte in 1999 as Recreation Coordinator. In 2003 he had the good naturescape workshops fortune to be asked to a create pilot program for what is now the thriving FortWhyte Farms. FortWhyte has always been a perfect fit for Ian - a place to share his love for the outdoors and the natural environment with others. Q. What is your favourite thing about working at FWA? A. There’s a diversity of experiences here that I Fee: $10, Members: $7.50, Family Rate: $15, Naturescape Members: FREE don’t think you can find in any other workplace. Pre-registration required; please call (204) 989-8355 It’s not unusual for my day to include writing a grant proposal or report, troubleshooting Manitoba Trees in Winter Mosquito & Tick Solutions a computer or technology issue, followed by Dr. Richard Staniforth, retired botany professor from Make your home less favourable to disease chasing down wayward pigs or chickens at the U of W, will lead a hands-on workshop to help transmitting insects such as mosquitoes and FortWhyte Farms – possibly all before lunch you sort out the difference between Manitoba tree ticks, while still keeping to the Naturescape species in winter. Specimens will be provided, and principals! Entomologist, passionate gardener, time! And nothing beats coming into work on you are welcome to bring your own twigs! and former FortWhyte interpreter Dana Race will a spring morning to the sights and sounds of Sunday, March 10 1 pm share some attractive and easy-to-do projects migrating birds and waterfowl on the lakes and with us. in the trees. Wood Ducks Sunday, April 28 1 pm Q. What does working at FWA mean to you? Do you live by a waterway in an area with mature trees? You may be able to attract a Wood Duck! Bees with Katrina A. My involvement with FortWhyte Farms has FWA site manager Ken Cudmore will be here to talk Join Katrina Froese, FortWhyte’s resident certainly had a huge impact on my life. I grew about this fascinating bird and how you can get entomologist, as she talks about all things bees! up in Winnipeg with little connection to or involved in FortWhyte’s Wood Duck program. Learn all about these fascinating creatures and interest in farming. If you told me then that Saturday, March 16 1 pm the important role they play in pollinating our my career path would lead me to becoming gardens and food. the manager of a small sustainable farm Garden Design for a Changing Climate Sunday, May 26 1 pm program for inner-city youth, I’d have told you Help your perennials survive our unpredictable to get your head checked. However, since winters and springs! Landscape Designer For more information on Naturescape please Charlotte Tararyn will be here with tips and getting the FortWhyte Farms program off the visit: www.fortwhyte.org/naturescape tricks to help ensure your trees, shrubs and ground in 2003 and becoming immersed in perennials will thrive despite our growing food, my family and I have moved out ever-changing climate. of the city to a small acreage, where I keep Sunday, April 7 1 pm bees, raise chickens for meat and eggs and grow vegetables. Small-scale farming has become a lifestyle, not just a job.

www.fortwhyte.org 5 Volunteers How important are your Volunteer Hours? by Sharyl Eaglesham Volunteer Resources MANAGER, FOrtWhyte Alive

ecently, a local newspaper included the volunteer program, educational In any given year, FortWhyte’s 380+ R an insert promoting a national programs, and other dimensions of FWA. volunteer corps contribute close to 22,500 organization’s community involvement Recorded hours of a volunteer are used hours of work, saving an estimated through volunteering. The insert profiled for insurance purposes while individuals $500,000 annually. It should be stressed 1,000 volunteer hours donated by 30,000+ are volunteering within the organization. that volunteer hours only measure quantity employees, and served to highlight the and “statistics”, but do not measure the Volunteer hours are used as criteria for organization’s commitment to the community quality of a volunteer program. Volunteers invitation to certain recognition events and its customers. at FortWhyte provide an opportunity for the as well as for recognition rewards. Many non-profit organizations accomplish community to be engaged and learn about The Volunteer Resources Manager can their mission and vision through the dedication nature. How do you measure the smiles that speak to the details. of volunteers who give their time, talents and FortWhyte volunteers bring to our visitors? Hours provide an idea of the commitment skills. FortWhyte Alive is staffed in large part by The volunteer program is committed to required for certain volunteer roles. volunteers, and over the years, volunteer hours tracking growth and development, ensuring Recruitment of dedicated volunteers have been recorded in the “volunteer binder”. that we recognize volunteers in their requires transparent and up-front commitment to our mission, and to the So, why is it important that volunteers record information that can pave the way to a community. We may not be shouting it from their hours, and how is this information used? long-term commitment. a page in a local newspaper, but FortWhyte Volunteer hours provide valuable Recording volunteer training hours is an volunteers are making a huge impact – statistical information that is referenced accurate way of determining who is ready “Changing how you see our world. in funding proposals – which help support for new volunteer roles. Making a world of difference”. Development

Volunteer Spotlight: Meet George Drad, a FortWhyte Alive volunteer for over 25 years. His contributions to the cause have been numerous, from school program interpreter to special events, but his true passion George Drad has been expressed in his dedicated efforts and initiatives related to birding. by Michelle Eldridge ird nesting boxes are George’s specialty. George has also contributed to FortWhyte’s B He has personally driven the establishment, Wood Duck conservation project. For years, he monitoring and maintenance of over 170 has been part of a team of volunteers who set on-site boxes that boast successful nesting up, inspect and refurbish Wood Duck nesting activity every spring. The great majority of boxes for riverbank residents. George is a boxes, built by George himself, are made harbinger of spring for program participants from recycled wood that he scouts out – old along the Wellington Crescent/Wolseley fences, and even country barns. This labour riverbank route. He kick-starts the program of love has resulted in the ultimate reward in early February, taking charge of building for George’s efforts: the confirmation of 11 upwards of 40 Wood Duck boxes to meet the nesting pairs of bluebirds, housed in specialty demands of the season ahead. If you cross paths boxes along FortWhyte’s bison fence line in with a congenial man covered in sawdust in the 2012. Yes, bluebirds in the city of Winnipeg! Interpretive Centre this spring, that’s George!

Interested in volunteering at FortWhyte Alive? We have a variety of unique volunteer opportunities available – from Birding Guides to Sodhouse Singers, there is a position here for you! Please visit www.fortwhyte.org/volunteering for more information.

6 FortWhyte Life Spring 2013 Newsletter Special Events

cycle . paddle . run . navigate

T r av e l R a f f l e Sunday, April 21, 2013 Celebrate Earth Day in Action! EcoAdventure Thank you to everyone who supported is a multi-sport adventure race that includes paddling, running, orienteering and cycling. FortWhyte Alive through our Adventure Racers cover a 35K course through FortWhyte Travel Raffle.W e raised over $35,000 Alive and beyond. This dynamic demonstration for our education programs. of zero emission transportation engages both racers and spectators in a unique, exciting Congratulations to all of our Winners! outdoor sport adventure. Take the challenge in support of environmental education! Grand Prize - Ireland - Kerry Fling For more details, or to register, visit our website Denise McGillivary - Ticket #2689 at www.fortwhyte.org/ecoadventure 2nd Prize - Churchill - Beluga Encounter Faye Lambert - Ticket #26774

Shown here 3rd Prize - California - Yosemite Park Grand Prize Winner Denise McGillivary with FortWhyte’s Special Events & Napa Valley Coordinator Mandy Berndsen and President & CEO Bill Elliott Heather Softley - Ticket #078

Development Free “Access to outdoor environmental education Admission Thank You programming can make a big impact in the Earth Day at FWA! ALL DAY! life of a child from an urban centre,” said Sunday, April 21, 2013 to a Valued Donor: Robin Penfold, Senior Vice President, Head No one in Winnipeg celebrates Earth Day better of Commercial Banking, Prairie Region than FortWhyte Alive. Take part in the wide HSBC Bank Canada HSBC Bank Canada. “We are delighted to variety of activities that will get you into an support FortWhyte Alive and help bring their environmental frame of mind, or spend the day hroughout its history, HSBC Bank Canada programming to school children in Winnipeg.” exploring our network of trails on the lookout has worked hard to ensure that it shares T for spring flowers and animals. There will be its success with the communities where Each year, FortWhyte strives to ensure its live entertainment, dip-netting, nature walks, it operates. school programs are accessible to all and this year, HSBC’s support has made it possible canoe rides, storytelling and much more! HSBC supports a wide variety of causes, with for hundreds of inner-city school children in For full event details, visit our website the majority of its charitable giving directed Winnipeg to experience FortWhyte Alive’s at www.fortwhyte.org/earthday towards educational and environmental environmental education programs and programs and initiatives. HSBC believes outdoor adventure. FortWhyte applauds HSBC Summer 2013 special events that education and the environment Bank Canada for its big-hearted and generous 25th Anniversary Sunset BBQ - June 5, 2013 are fundamental building blocks for the contribution to our school program and development of communities and are issues of continued commitment to education and the universal concern around the world. Increasing environment. Thank you, HSBC! Summer Fun Fest - June 23, 2013 access to education is one of HSBC’s top priorities, which is why it has recently made Sam Fabro Golf Classic - July 24, 2013 a donation to FortWhyte Alive to support its Inner-City School Field Trip Program. Visit www.fortwhyte.org/specialevents for event details

www.fortwhyte.org 7 Nature Notes

Become a Citizen Scientist!

by Brock houndle

ldo Leopold, John Muir, Normand monarch butterfly that has landed on your The Manitoba Herps Atlas is looking for records A Criddle, Ernest Thompson Seton. These lawn, or recording the first American Robin of reptiles and amphibians (herpetofauna) in names may sound familiar to you. They are you see in spring. Manitoba. Their website can help you properly all famous conservationists and biologists, identify many different species of frogs and There are many projects that are suitable for known the world over for their scientific work snakes you will come across in this province. beginners. The newly launched RinkWatch in studying nature. It may be daunting to All that is required is for you to report any program is a great example of a simple study look at the achievements of these men and sightings of amphibians and reptiles while for those looking to get their feet wet. The try to compare yourself to them. However, you’re out and about in Manitoba. This organizers are looking for input from citizen many great scientists started their careers information will help confirm where these scientists across the country as to when local quite simply, spurred on by a curiosity which animals live, and when they will wake up from outdoor rinks are first opened for the season, may be shared by you. They were the original their winter slumber. and closed for the year. By comparing these citizen scientists; ordinary people with a love dates from year-to-year, they can estimate There are a number of projects out there and curiousity of nature, who noticed AND the local effects of climate change and the looking for a citizen scientist just like you. recorded the events they could see in the Try your hand at water quality monitoring on world around them. potential consequences facing Canada’s game. Other projects benefit from expertise FortWhyte Alive’s lakes this May – see page 15 There has never been a better time to or extended time commitments, such as the for more information. Or, check out the links contribute to science in your spare time than Manitoba’s Breeding Bird Atlas – however below to get started today! today. The citizen scientist movement is input from novice birders is welcomed as Journey North: www.learner.org/jnorth growing every year as new projects are put well. If you see a gosling, duckling, or any forward or expanded. A citizen scientist is a Manitoba Herps Atlas: www.naturenorth.com/ other evidence of birds breeding in Manitoba, Herps/Manitoba_Herps_Atlas.html regular person who is able to witness natural they would love to have that information in events and report their findings. You do not Birds Canada: www.birdscanada.org/volunteer their records. need to be an expert in order to participate MB Breeding Bird Atlas: www.birdatlas.mb.ca in a ground-breaking scientific study, nor do Many of these projects have websites which RinkWatch – www.rinkwatch.org you need to commit all of your spare time. are great sources of information to help you Helping out can be as simple as reporting a with identification and reporting.

On the cover: Canada Geese photo by tara kenny

common sight at FortWhyte Alive in the spring, Canada Geese usually lay 4-7 eggs per A nest, but can lay up to 11! Female geese incubate their eggs for 25-28 days, while the gander stands guard nearby. Both parents tend to the goslings, protecting them from predators and teach them the skills they need to be as adults. Goslings can imprint on humans, and become irreversibly tame, if they are removed from other geese. Abandoned goslings should be released to another goose family as quickly as possible.

Want to see your FortWhyte photo on the cover of Life? Email your wildlife shots to [email protected].

8 FortWhyte Life Spring 2013 Newsletter Spring & Summer 2013 Outdoor Adventure Day Camp! Membership For Campers 4 - 13 years old FortWhyte Alive Outdoor Adventure Day Camp is an awesome experience within the city. Swim, bike, hike, paddle, and connect with nature during spring break and summer Have you vacation! Spring Day Camp takes place from March 25, 26, 27, & 28. Summer Camps run weekly, July 2 – August 23. Single Day Experiences are considered available August 6 – 9. Themes, program information, and other details are available on our website! Spring Camp Registration opens Membership? March 1st, 2013 at noon. Summer Camp Early Bird Registration for FortWhyte Share the experience of natural Alive Members opens March 11, 2013 at noon. adventure with your family, all year Summer Camp General Registration long. Become a FortWhyte Alive opens March 13, 2013 at noon. Member today! Membership offers year-round benefits, including: Register in person at FWA, or online at www.fortwhyte.org/daycamps . FREE Admission . Priority Access to Day Camp Registration Earth Day Sign up for a FortWhyte Membership on SPecial! . Nature Shop Discount Earth Day (Sunday, April 21) to receive a . Discounts on Seasonal Rentals 20% Discount on a . Public Program Discounts New 1-Year Membership! ...and much more! Offer only available in person at FortWhyte By purchasing a FortWhyte Alive Alive. Visit our Membership Booth for more info. Membership, you are helping to build a sustainable, active community. Effective March 1, 2013, we will be raising our admission prices. Please Due to rising operating costs, the price of admission to FortWhyte For more information, visit Alive will increase by $1. This is our first increase in nearly seven www.fortwhyte.org/membership Note years. Our new admission prices are listed on Page 2 of this newsletter. FortWhyte Alive Membership prices will remain the same. or call (204) 989-8355 seasonal experience FortWhyte Alive Bison Safari Every Thursday from May 23 - August 29, at 10:30 am & 1:30 pm

See the bison as you have never seen them before—from inside the fence! Bring your camera. Tour takes approximately one hour. Weather and ground conditions permitting. special Seasonal price: $15, children $5, Members: 25% off Pre-registration required. Please call (204) 989-8355 or email [email protected].

www.fortwhyte.org 9 FortWhyte Farms Growin g Share the Harvest stronger futures by Ian Barnett Become an active participant Youth-operated farming business is providing former FortWhyte Farm Interns in FortWhyte Farms with exciting new opportunities for growth on the road to self-reliance

Purchase a ‘share’ of our farm’s produce through our Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program, and become a ast spring, FortWhyte Farms staff planted While it may be tempting for FortWhyte to partner in local, sustainable agriculture. L some asparagus crowns in our gardens. continue to provide seasonal employment Your return on investment is a weekly basket Establishing asparagus is the ultimate and to keep ‘harvesting’ the skills of these of fresh vegetables, grown without the use exercise in patience. Unlike other crops, young people year after year, we know that of chemicals, directly from our fields to where the seeds you sow in the spring yield this is not in their best long-term interests. your table. As a mixed farm, you can also wonderful vegetables a few weeks or months This presents a challenge: as these young purchase a share of our meat and honey, later, asparagus may take several years which includes ¼ pork (approx. 50 lbs of people move away from these seasonal before you can harvest and enjoy the tender pastured Berkshire Pork of various cuts, 4 jobs, FortWhyte Farms is left with a gap shoots. Each year produces new growth – pasture-raised chickens and 3 kg of honey). in knowledge that must be filled by other some visible above the soil surface, but most, full-time staff who may not have the Because our farm is a social enterprise, your (perhaps more importantly) out of our view time necessary to dedicate to the apiary investment in food for your family, is also beneath the soil, allowing the plant to come operation, which requires some very specific an investment in your community. For more back stronger each year to the point where it details on the CSA program and market skills and knowledge. We would also like to can be harvested. This is a great metaphor please visit our web site – allow those experienced youth to continue for what happens at FortWhyte Farms with www.fortwhyte.org/fortwhytefarms to develop personal self-reliance, apply the our youth participants and the newest facet direct agricultural skills they have learned of our ever-evolving youth development at the farm, cultivate new skills and earn programming. income through entrepreneurship.

FortWhyte Farms has been fortunate over In 2013, we will be piloting a new initiative – FortWhyte Farms the last several years to have had some very an independent youth-operated farming dedicated young people work with us – moving business that will contract with FortWhyte Open House & from our winter and spring programming, to Farms to manage our beehives. Initially, Plant Sale our 2-month summer internship employment three of our former Farm Assistants will positions, and finally into 6-month Farm operate this business. To assist with start- Sunday May 26 10 am - 3 pm Assistant positions. As with asparagus, each up, they will be gifted our bee hives and year at the Farm gradually produces new Spend the day at FortWhyte Farms and beekeeping equipment. They will take part in learn all about our sustainable agriculture growth, some visible and some below the a Build a Business training program through programs. Visit our bee hives, learn about surface. This growth has allowed farm staff SEED Winnipeg. our pasture-raised chickens and pigs, tour to ‘harvest’ the skills, strengths and abilities FortWhyte will purchase any honey produced our passive solar greenhouse and vegetable that have developed in these individuals each by the youth, but they can also market market gardens. Beautiful naturally grown year. For instance, in the last several years, the elsewhere. In the future their business could vegetable and herb seedlings from our lion’s share of the work in our apiary has been include market gardening and livestock greenhouse will also be available for sale so led by Farm Assistant Ethan Nobiss. Ethan production, as well as value-added products. you can bring the farm back to your garden! built up his beekeeping skills over several years The possibilities are endless and we are Great activities for kids throughout the day. to the point where he was able to manage the excited about the potential that this new apiary with minimal guidance. Free Admission to FortWhyte Farms venture holds – yet another mile paved on (Admission to the rest of FWA still applies) This is where the asparagus metaphor ends. the Road to Self-Reliance.

10 FortWhyte Life Spring 2013 Newsletter Growing Astronomy Dinner and a Show BPageuffalo Title Stone CafÉ Saturday, March 16 Cocktails: 6 pm, Dinner: 7 pm, Stars: 9 pm Have you ever seen a meteorite? Ever touched one? Find out about all these wonders of our universe and what exciting things are happening in the sky FortWhyte this spring. Enjoy cocktails and a delicious 3-course dinner from the Buffalo Stone Café, then head outside to see the stars with the Royal by Night Astronomical Society of Canada. Please call (204) 989-8370 to reserve. FEE: $30, Members $25 Thursdays, May 2 - May 30 5 - 8 pm Join us Thursday evenings in May Easter Brunch for dinner at the Buffalo Stone Café. Sunday, March 31 1st Sitting: 9:30 - 11:30 am, 2nd Sitting: 12:30 - 2:30 pm This remarkable dining experience Celebrate Easter with your family surrounded by the natural beauty of combines great food with a great FortWhyte Alive. Enjoy our extensive brunch buffet prepared by the view. Enjoy a lake-side meal Buffalo Stone Café. For reservations, please call (204) 989-8370. prepared by our award winning Chef Peter Karamchand. FEE: $25, Members $20, Children under 10: $15 Reserve by calling (204) 989-8370 Mother’s Day Brunch Sunday, May 12 1st Sitting: 9:30 - 11:30 am, 2nd Sitting: 12:30 - 2:30 pm What better way to celebrate Mother’s Day than with a delicious brunch at the Buffalo Stone Café followed by a walk through FortWhyte watching all of the new mothers care for their goslings, ducklings and calves. For reservations, please call (204) 989-8370. FEE: $25, Members $20, Children under 10: $15

Photo by Tara Kenny nature shop

Nature Shop Trail Sale! Saturday, April 6 10 - 5 pm Hike or Bike to FortWhyte for our Trail Sale! We did our spring cleaning and have gift shop merchandise, clothing and books at great sale prices. Earth Day at the Nature Shop Sunday, April 21 10 - 5 pm Buy Local! Purchase any Manitoban or Canadian-made goods and save.

Members save 20% | Non-Members save 10% Excludes sale and consignment items.

FortWhyte Alive Gift Cards are Mother’s Day Event available at the Nature Shop! Friday, Saturday & Sunday, May 10 - 12 Gift Cards can be redeemed at the Nature Shop, Find that perfect bird feeder or special gift for mom. Spend $40 (before taxes) Buffalo Stone Café, or for any FortWhyte Alive in the Nature Shop and receive a free gift. public programming/workshops.

www.fortwhyte.org 11 Public Pagerograms Title March / April / May Spring Hours of Operation Monday – Friday: Activities & Workshops 9 am – 5 pm Thursdays in May: Last Chance for Ice Fishing Popcorn & a Movie: Lake Winnipeg 9 am – 8 pm Ice conditions permitting. Celebrate World Water Day with a short film Saturday & Sunday, March 2, 3 about Lake Winnipeg. Learn solutions for water Saturday, Sunday & Holidays: FREE with regular admission conservation and pollution prevention. 10 am – 5 pm Saturday, March 23 1 pm Naturescape: MB Trees in the Winter FREE with regular admission Daily Admission Sunday, March 10 1 pm Easter Craft Adults: $7 View Naturescape event details on Page 5 Seniors (55+): $6 Saturday, March 30 1 pm FREE with regular admission Students & Children: $5 Naturescape: Wood Ducks Members & Children Under 3: FREE Saturday, March 16 1 pm Easter Brunch View Naturescape event details on Page 5 Sunday, March 31 9:30 am, 12:30 pm Registration Don’t Astronomy Dinner and a Show View event details on Page 11 Registration is required Forget! Saturday, March 16 6 - 10 pm for all FortWhyte Alive Kids’ Easter Egg Hunt View event details on Page 11 public programs. Bring your Easter basket and find as many Please call (204) 989-8355 or Springtime Animal Craft easter eggs as you can! email [email protected] Sunday, March 17 2 pm Sunday, March 31 1 - 3 pm FREE with regular admission FREE with regular admission March 2013 View FortWhyte’s online events calendar at www.fortwhyte.org/calendar Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Spring Day Camp Last Chance for Registration Ice Fishing opens at noon Nordic Walking Snowshoe Saturday 1 2 Last Chance for Nordic Walking Ice Fishing Snowshoe Saturday Sunday Storytime Guided 2 O’clock Walk 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Sunday Storytime Summer Camp Early Summer Camp Nordic Walking Naturescape: Trees in Bird Registration for General Registration Snowshoe Saturday Winter FWA Members opens at noon Astronomy Dinner Guided 2 O’clock Walk opens at noon and a Show Daylight Savings - Spring Forward 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 Sunday Storytime Nordic Walking Naturescape: Wood Ducks Snowshoe Saturday Springtime Animal Craft Popcorn & a Movie Guided 2 O’clock Walk International Day World St. Patrick’s Day 17 18 19 1st Day of Spring 20 of Forests 21 World Water Day 22 Meteorological Day 23 Sunday Storytime Spring Day Camp Spring Day Camp Spring Day Camp Spring Day Camp Open 10 am - 5 pm Nordic Walking Guided 2 O’clock Walk 24 Snowshoe Saturday Easter Craft Kids’ Easter Egg Hunt Easter Brunch 31 25 26 27 28 Good Friday 29 30

12 FortWhyte Life Spring 2013 Newsletter April 2013 Registration is required for all FWA public programs - call (204) 989-8355 or email [email protected] Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Nature Shop Trail Sale! Inside Out Yoga Nordic Walking

1 2 3 4 5 6 Sunday Storytime Inside Out Yoga Naturescape: Gardening Nordic Walking for Climate Change Beginner Birding Guided 2 O’clock Walk Maple Syrup Magic 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 Sunday Storytime Inside Out Yoga Popcorn & a Movie Nordic Walking Guided 2 O’clock Walk 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 Earth Day at FWA Birding and Breakfast Birding by Ear with Inside Out Yoga & EcoAdventure! (7:00 am) Christian Artuso Nordic Walking Earth Day Membership Organic Bath and Body Special Earth Day at the Nature Shop 21 Earth Day 22 23 24 25 26 27 Sunday Storytime Naturescape: Gardening for Mosquito and Ticks Guided 2 O’clock Walk 28 29 30

Weekends at fortwhyte

(continued on page 14) March / April / May Nordic Walking Get back into the Spring of things with Activities & Workshops Nordic walking! BYO poles or rent ours. Saturdays, March 2 - April 27 Nature Shop Trail Sale! Beginner Birding 11:30 am - 12:30 am Fee: $10, Members: $4 | Pole rental: $2 Saturday, April 6 10 - 5 pm Learn about some beginner citizen science studies you can take part in. View Nature Shop event details on Page 11 Head outside to learn about birds you Snowshoe Saturdays Naturescape: Garden Design for a can expect to see at FortWhyte Alive. Head out on a guided snowshoe tour - weather and ice conditions permitting. Changing Climate Saturday, April 13 1 pm Saturdays in March Sunday, April 7 1 pm FREE with regular admission 11:30 am - 12:30 pm View Naturescape event details on Page 5 Popcorn & a Movie: Green Fire FREE with regular admission | Rentals: $3 Maple Syrup Magic This documentary about Aldo Leopold, important 20th century conservationist, Sunday Storytime The sap is flowing! Ken Fosty will be back to show you how to make syrup from explores his life, legacy, and personal Every Sunday this Spring 1 pm local Manitoba maple and birch trees. journey of observation in the natural world. FREE with regular admission Hands-on demonstration will include Sunday, April 14 1 pm making your own “sweet treat”. Taps will FREE with regular admission Guided 2 O’clock Walks be available for $3 (cash only) following Every Sunday 2 pm the presentation. Earth Day & EcoAdventure! FREE with regular admission Sunday, April 7 2:30 pm Sunday, April 21 Fee: $10, Members: $8 View Special Events details on Page 7 Sod House Pioneers Every Sunday 10 am - 4 pm FREE with regular admission www.fortwhyte.org 13 Organic Bath & Body Workshop Public Pagerograms Title You might be shocked to learn how many chemicals are commonly found in bath and body products. Join Jackie from Organic Bath & Body Creations to create March / April / May (continued from page 13) a personalized collection of natural bath & body products to take home. Saturday, April 27 1 – 4 pm Activities & Workshops Fee: $55, Members: $50 Birding and Breakfast - Birding by Ear with Christian Artuso Naturescape: Mosquito Pledge to Fledge Edition This advanced workshop with Bird Studies & Tick Solutions Team up with our highly skilled birding Canada’s Chrsitian Artuso will teach you Sunday, April 28 1 pm leaders on a sunrise birding hike to watch for how to identify birds by ear. Take your View Naturescape spring migrants and familiar faces. After your birding to the next level by learning this event details on hike, enjoy a tasty continental-style breakfast valuable skill. Each workshop is different Page 5 at the Buffalo Stone Café. We have a back- and builds on the skills learned in the up plan for inclement weather – so birding previous workshop. Note: These workshops goes on rain or shine! Bring your binoculars are designed for experienced birders and and dress for the early morning weather. atlassers only. Wednesday, April 24 7:00 am Thursdays, April 25, May 2 & May 9 7 pm Fee: $15, Members: 25% off Fee: $5, or 3 for $10 FREE for underage birders (with an adult) No admission or workshop fee for registered atlassers. Limited Class size! Inside Out Yoga Fitness Call to Register Saturdays, April 6 - May 11 | 10 am - 12 pm Full 6 Sessions: $70, Drop-In: $15 per class | Register at (204) 989-8355 This exhilarating class blends cardio fitness, strength, and endurance training outside, with a challenging yoga workout inside. All fitness levels welcome. Please dress for the outdoors and bring a mat with carrying case. Photo by Stan Swanson

March / April / May Lake Health and You! U of M’s Dr. Gordon Goldsborough has Activities & Workshops been researching the health of lakes and wetlands throughout his career. Learn about Birding and Breakfast Frog Watch Manitoba’s lakes, and ways you can help Wednesdays & Fridays in May Wander through wetlands with a guide on monitor lake health as a citizen scientist! May 1 & 3 Starting at 7:00 am the lookout for frogs and other amphibians. Saturday, May 11 1 pm Findings will be reported to the Manitoba May 8 - 31 Starting at 6:30 am FREE with regular admission Herps Atlas to help track Manitoba’s frogs. Fee: $15, Members: 25% off FREE for underage birders (with an adult) Saturday, May 4 11 am Dip-netting for Spring Critters FREE with regular admission Saturday, May 11 1 - 3 pm Buffalo Chip Harvest FREE with regular admission Collect fertilizer for your garden AND help Fun with Fungus keep the prairie clean! Bring a shovel, boots This hands-on workshop will demonstrate Water Monitoring Lab and a bucket/bags to take your “prize’ home, how to grow Shiitake and Oyster mushrooms Learn how you can contribute to science or donate your collection to the FortWhyte on oak or poplar logs. Grow Kits will be by monitoring your favourite lake this Farms’ fertilizer pile. Weather permitting. available for sale following the presentation. summer! Saturday, May 4 1 - 3 pm Sunday, May 5 1 pm Saturday, May 11 2 - 4 pm FREE with regular admission Fee: $10, Members: $8 FREE with regular admission

14 FortWhyte Life Spring 2013 Newsletter Seasonal Rentals FortWhyte by Night Snowshoes: $3, Members: FREE Thursdays, May 2 - May 30 | 5 - 8 pm Join us Thursday evenings in May for dinner at the Buffalo Stone Café. This Nordic Walking Poles: $3, Members: FREE remarkable dining experience combines great food with a great view. Enjoy a lakeside meal prepared by our award winning Chef Peter Karamchand. Self-guided Family Adventure Bags Orienteering: $3 Mother’s Day Brunch FortWhyte Bike Tour Wetland Wonders: $3 Sunday, May 12 9:30 am - 2:30 pm Go for a guided bike ride around FortWhyte, stopping at notable features along the way. Dip-netting Equipment: View event details on Page 11 Use your bike, or one of ours, to get to the FREE with regular admission Spring Babies Tour far reaches of FortWhyte Alive, including our unique restored tall-grass prairie. We’re not the only creatures celebrating Fishing on 4 Lakes Mother’s Day! Many of our wild neighbours Saturday, May 25 1 pm Drop a line for catch-and-release have recently given birth. Follow a guide FREE with regular admission fishing. Kids 12 and under can around ponds and prairies to see all the Bike Rental: $10 (Limited number available) take home 1 fish. cute baby wildlife. Fee: $2, Members: FREE Sunday, May 12 1 pm FortWhyte Farms Open House FREE with regular admission & Plant Sale Ice Fishing Rod bucket: $20 Sunday May 26 10 am - 3 pm Includes 4 rods, ice scoop and tackle Free Fishing Weekend! (available until March 3) View event details on Page 10 Saturday, Sunday & Monday, May 18 - 20 Pole rental: $5, Tackle: $5 FREE with regular admission Naturescape: Bees with Katrina Fire Pit Rental: $10 (plus tax) Sunday, May 26 1 pm Must be pre-booked. Call (204) 989-8355. View Naturescape event details on Page 5 May 2013 Registration is required for all FWA public programs - call (204) 989-8355 or email [email protected] Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Birding and Breakfast FortWhyte by Night Birding and Breakfast Inside Out Yoga (7:00 am) Birding by Ear with (7:00 am) Nordic Walking Christian Artuso Frog Watch Buffalo Chip Harvest 1 2 3 4 Storytime in the Forest Birding and Breakfast FortWhyte by Night Birding and Breakfast Mother’s Day Event Fun with Fungus (6:30 am) Birding by Ear with (6:30 am) Inside Out Yoga Guided 2 O’clock Walk Christian Artuso Mother’s Day Event Nordic Walking Lake Health and You! Dip-netting Cinco De Mayo 5 6 7 8 9 10 Water Monitoring Lab 11 Mother’s Day Event Birding and Breakfast FortWhyte by Night Birding and Breakfast Free Fishing Weekend Storytime in the Forest (6:30 am) (6:30 am) Nordic Walking Guided 2 O’clock Walk Mother’s Day Brunch Spring Babies Tour 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 Free Fishing Weekend Open 10 am - 5 pm Birding and Breakfast FortWhyte by Night Birding and Breakfast Nordic Walking Storytime in the Forest Free Fishing Weekend (6:30 am) (6:30 am) FortWhyte Bike Tour

International Day 19 Victoria Day 20 21 22 for Biodiversity 23 24 25 FortWhyte Farms Open Birding and Breakfast FortWhyte by Night Birding and Breakfast Nordic Walking House & Plant Sale (6:30 am) (6:30 am) Storytime in the Forest Naturescape: Bees Guided 2 O’clock Walk 26 27 28 29 30 31

www.fortwhyte.org 15 FortWhyte Alive Rain Barrel Sale! Pre-Sale starts March 15, 2013 | Available for $60 plus tax

FortWhyte Alive, in partnership Pre-purchases can be made in person at the with Coca-Cola Canada, Nature Shop, by phone at (204) 989-8355 will be once again be or online at www.fortwhyte.org/rainbarrels. offering recycled, retrofitted rain barrels this Earth Day! Purchases can also be made on Earth Day at FortWhyte. Rain barrels can be picked up at FWA on Earth Day (Sunday, April 21), from 12 - 4 pm. Alternate pick-up days available, please call (204) 989-8355 for more information. ara Kenny photo by T photo

Volume 30, Issue 4 ISSN 0824-5126

1961 MCCREARY ROAD WINNIPEG, MANITOBA R3P 2K9

Changing how you see our world. Making a world of difference. FortWhyte Alive is a privately operated, not-for-profit project of The Fort Whyte Foundation Inc. Registered Charitable No: 11929 8123 RR0001 FortWhyte Alive is dedicated to providing programming, natural settings and facilities for environmental education, outdoor recreation and social enterprise. In so doing, FortWhyte promotes awareness and understanding of the natural world and actions leading to sustainable living.