The Future of Nature Manitoba News his issue of Nature Manitoba News is the last one to Several members have written to express regret about the be published in a paper version. Over the past several end of the print newsletter. They point out that many who Tmonths, the Nature Manitoba Board, as well as the currently subscribe to the electronic version do not actually Communications and Promotions Committee, have been read it. We also believe this, as reading a PDF version of the struggling with the many difficult choices involved in transi- newsletter on a computer is not that easy or enjoyable. The tioning from the paper newsletter many of you are holding new e-newsletter will not be like the current PDF, but will in your hands, to mostly digital forms of communication. be in a graphic email format that is more reader friendly when using a computer and, perhaps more importantly, The decision to move to an electronic newsletter is the smartphones and tablets. result of an accumulation of many factors. Nature Manitoba is facing the same conundrum as other organizations with Members will receive an email each month that will include print publications. Our paper newsletter is expensive to short descriptions of all content in that issue, with links to print and mail out, and fails to reach the ever-increasing full articles stored on a new and improved Nature Manitoba portion of the population that relies mostly, or even exclu- website. This email will also highlight upcoming events and sively, on digital communications. activities, something that is currently being done in separate communica- The content of the newsletter is tions from the office. Some of the largely dependent on volunteers for ith a new, relevant content, including the Workshop both contributions and editing. The and adaptable format, and Discovery Evening programs, trend has been that fewer and fewer “W will be available on our website in submissions are being received, we hope to achieve both a convenient printable format. which means that more effort has to greater readership and an go into searching out content. Even increase in contributions.” With this new, relevant and adaptable with the change to quarterly issues, format, we hope to achieve both the job to create each 20 or 24-page greater readership and an increase in issue has become unsustainable. The contributions from our members. We quarterly schedule has also meant our coverage of issues, also believe that a modernization of our communication events and activities is not as current as it should be. methods will attract new members. It is certainly the trend in many other organizations. We are not undertaking this change as a cost-saving measure, but rather, in order to spend the money we do For those members who do not use computers, we are have in the most effective way possible. All the savings from currently working on a plan to define what kind of paper ceasing to print and mail a paper newsletter will be redi- communication we can mail out to keep them informed and rected to the hiring of a Web Communication Specialist to connected. This would probably include such things as manage our communications, including production of a new Discovery Evening programs, Workshop Program, AGM monthly e-newsletter. notices, etc. If you have suggestions for what you see as important content to receive in this manner, we would ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING welcome your comments. The Office will be undertaking a telephone survey of all Don’t forget about our 2016 AGM on Monday, members for whom we do not yet have an email address to March 21st at 7:00pm, followed by a film about verify their contact information and to ask if they will Robert Taylor. See pages 4-5 for more information. (continued on next page...) (...continued from page 1) provide an email address if they have one. If you are in this group, it would be appreciated if you could call the office to let them know. Canada Post Publications Mail Sales Product Agreement No. 0040069231. This is the end of an era and we know that Nature Manitoba News will be missed by many. Members owe an enormous debt of gratitude to the Editorial Issued 4 times a year* as the official Committee (Tommy Allen, Roger Turenne and Donna Danyluk) who have made publication of Nature Manitoba (*to become it such an outstanding publication over the past seven years. Donna’s contribu- a monthly e-newsletter after this issue). tion should be especially singled out. As a volunteer, she has been largely Subscriptions are a benefit of membership. responsible for planning the content of each issue and editing contributions. See backpage for membership details. Finally, we would like to thank those members who have been regular contribu- Opinions are those of the writers and not tors over the years, and we look forward to using your submissions in our new necessarily the organization as a whole. e-newsletter format. We are confident that this change will increase the involvement of our members Office and Library with their organization, in all areas of interest, and will enable us to connect with the many potential new members out there who have yet to discover us. 401 - 63 Albert St. Winnipeg, R3B 1G4 Phone/Fax: ......................... 204-943-9029 Don Himbeault, President Email: [email protected] Website: ............www.naturemanitoba.ca Communications and Promotions Committee Nature Manitoba News Editorial Committee Office Administrator ............ Susan McLarty Office Assistant.............. Deanna Dodgson Hours: 10:00 am to 3:00 pm Mon/Tue and Thu/Fri OUR NATURAL GARDEN TOUR 2016 s spring approaches, now is the Tickets will be available at the Nature Manitoba News Atime to mark your calendar for March 14 Discovery Evening and Our Natural Garden Tour 2016! The the March 21 AGM, and at all Newsletter Editor ................... Tommy Allen date is July 9 from 10:00 to 4:00 and Nature Manitoba workshops. They Email: [email protected] the price is still $15.00. We have five can also be bought from the office Editorial Committee: Tommy Allen varied gardens for you to see in (204-943-9029 or info@nature- Donna Danyluk Charleswood and three more beauties manitoba.ca), and starting in Roger Turenne in St. James. AND we will be stopping mid-to-late April will be for sale at at the Living Prairie McNally Robinson For future submission deadlines and advertising rates, check our website or Museum on Ness Booksellers on email the editor at: Ave. to walk the Grant, The Pre- [email protected] trails and learn from ferred Perch on St. the staff. Mary’s Rd, Feasey Chiropractic and This newsletter is printed on Enviro 100 Our ticket this year Wellness Centre on 20lb paper which is 100% Post Consumer has a brand new Marion and at the Recycled and FSC certified. look! In addition to following Garden information about Centres: Lacoste each garden, includ- 2015 / 2016 Executive and St. Mary’s (on ing addresses and south St. Mary’s President ....................... Donald Himbeault directions, it also has Exec. Vice-President .................Jack Dubois Rd), Shelmerdine a small map to help Vice-President .................. James Whitelaw on Roblin Blvd, you plan your route. Treasurer ..................................Nikolas Cyr Schriemer’s in East Our host gardeners Secretary ..................................Alain Louer St. Paul, and are always available Past President ..................... Roger Turenne Jensen’s on to answer your McGillivray Blvd. gardening questions Other vendors may 2015 / 2016 Board Members and to just talk be added later gardening. Also new Lesly Andrews, Christian Artuso, (check our website this year, we will be Scott Falkingham, Michele Kading, in late April). Eric Melvin, Les McCann serving light refresh- and Rommel Molod ments at the Living Prairie Museum What better way to spend a Satur- from noon to 4:00. Please drop by day in July – our Garden Tour is a and visit. summer event not to be missed! Page 2 Nature Manitoba News Vol. 8, Issue 2 - Spring 2016 Ian Ward Green needles in spring First Nations People made use Softly adorn my branches of tamaracks for both food and Blazing gold in fall medicine. Bark, needles and resin A last show before winter were utilized. The fresh green needles were a welcome source of Vitamin C in spring and used to help with respiratory complaints due to cold and flu. More recent research has shown that tamarack wood contains polysaccharides called arabinogalactins. Studies indicate these compounds help to stimulate the immune system to fight cancer, act as a prebiotic to help stimulate and promote good bacteria in the digestive tract, and help to produce digestive enzymes. IN HONOUR OF THE (Reference: “The Boreal Herbal: Wild Food and Medicine Plants of TAMARACK the North” by Beverley Gray.) by Marilyn Latta replaced many of my roles and I am now largely ignored and forgotten. am Tamarack. The Algonquian people gave me this name which means “wood used for snowshoes”. Others used Times have been difficult recently. The landscape has been altered in many places and habitat loss and drainage have the name hackmatack. Larch is another one of my names I made the land less favorable for me to thrive. Insects and and you might know me as Eastern, Alaskan, American, disease have caused much stress. Some of these are new while Black or Red Larch. others have always been here, but the balance seems to have I once was much honoured and played an important role in the been lost and I struggle more to be strong and healthy. lives of the indigenous people. I supplied tough flexible wood I still try to be a vibrant part of the landscape.