Cedar Bog Walking Tour: October, 2009

More than 25 people gathered at the Cedar Bog trailhead last October to participate in a guided walk of the trail. While there were many reports of rain in Winnipeg, we were dry; Folks of all ages enjoyed coffee and hot chocolate around a warm fire that helped to take off the chill.

Once underway, Park Interpreter Lindsey Mitton explained some of the unique aspects of the Cedar Bog Trail and why it is so important. It is an unusual piece of ecology - a cedar bog in the midst of the Western prairie. As such, it is the most heavily used interpretive trail in Birds Hill Park. Great numbers of school children come to the Cedar Bog Trail to learn about our natural world, the appreciation of which is so important for reasons ranging from the health of the planet to our own abilities to sustain ourselves physically and mentally.

Friends of Birds Hill Park is working in collaboration with others who would choose to support environmentally appropriate restoration of the Cedar Bog Trail. We undertook our initial event to learn more about the significance of the trail, to share the opportunity for education on the Parks' natural history, and to introduce the Adopt-a-Trail program. Volunteers are encouraged to inquire about opportunities to monitor and report on trail conditions. We anticipate the launch of a fundraising campaign to develop enhanced interpretive signage and support hiring a trail development specialist.