News from:

Guest Speaker Event - Wednesday, March 23rd
Natural Features of Birds Hill Park
With over three decades experience as a hydrogeologist, Bob Betcher is well-versed on the challenges of groundwater conservation and the risks to our water supply. Bob's presentation will focus most specifically on the aquifers beneath the sand and gravel ridges in the Birds Hill Park area. Zoologist Bill Watkins has been with Manitoba Conservation for over 25 years and is a specialist in protected areas planning and species at risk. Since 2001, he has managed the provincial cougar surveillance program and has investigated, documented and mapped all things cougar, including reported attacks on livestock and pets. Bill will present evidence on the travels of this legendary cat in Manitoba.

Meet us at 7:00 p.m. in the multi-purpose room of the Red River Community Centre at 293 Murray Avenue (North Main Street) in Winnipeg. There’ll be ample free parking, refreshments and Friends. Please print this notice and post in your community or in the lunch room at work. Remember seating is limited so contact us by e-mail or call Shannon at 783-4249 to reserve a seat.

Park Management Plan Update
Summary Report Available
You may recall that Manitoba Conservation is in the midst of developing a plan that will provide long-term management direction for Birds Hill Park. This plan will identify priorities, areas for further development, and areas to be protected from development. Results of the public consultation conducted by the department in 2010 have been summarized and can be viewed by clicking here. Next steps will include a draft management plan and another opportunity for public input. Please be involved in this process, and pass the word along.

Volunteer News
Your Friends Need You
Join the board to make new Friends, use your skills and develop your talents. Board members will be elected at our Annual General Meeting on May 29, 2011. The nominating committee would like to know soon if you are ready to become more involved. Visit our Volunteers page to find links to the board member job description and other volunteer opportunities, or send us a note explaining how you would like to make a difference.

Speaking of volunteers, we'd like to welcome Dave Barkman, who has taken on management of our website. Dave has agreed to redevelop our web-pages with a content management system that will enable non-techies to create and manage site content. A huge THANK YOU to Brent DePape, who has done a great job as webmaster for the past 3 1/2 years.

2010 November 4th Speaker Event & Photo Contest Awards
Oh, What a Night
Our final event of 2010 featured a full agenda including presentation of our Photo Contest Awards. Click to see the winning photos. Our lead speaker, animal ecologist Dr. Bob Wrigley captivated the audience with stories and pics of the tiny to tall creatures that make their homes in the neighbourhood of Birds Hill Park. Enjoy the full powerpoint show, including a list of local mammals and many close-up critter shots - even a pic of the infamous cougar. We were also addressed by representatives of the Conservation Data Centre who described where and when to view rare species in the park, and reminded us that it's important to document and not to touch the endangered. Sightings of rare species can be reported directly to CDC Coordinator, Jason Greenall. Finally, we learned about the Manitoba Forestry Association's Heritage Tree Program. Find out more by clicking "Heritage Trees" on our Links page.

High on our list of fun moments that night was the presentation of our Junior Photographer Award to Brianna Sullivan, who was present with her family to receive her prize. Brianna couldn't have been more astonished. Congratulations to First Prize winner Jack Ireland and runner-up Ollie Dolinsky. THANK YOU to all the amateur photogs who sent in their fabulous photos of our favourite park, and to sponsor Don's Photo for contributing to the success of our first Photo Contest.

Reminder
Don't forget that you help support the work of Friends every time you use Membership #501077 with purchases at Red River, Beausejour and Pembina CO-OP stores.