FEATURE TOUR

EXPLORE MANITOBA'S ASPEN PARKLAND
WITH THE URBAN NATURALIST

Join Morris Sorensen for a guided tour of the Parklands/Mixed Forest Gallery, the newest gallery at the Mantoba Museum and an interpretive nature walk in Assiniboine Forest which contains the finest preserved example of aspen parkland in our area. The aspen parkland/mixed forest is the largest ecosystem in southern Manitoba and has shaped much of our heritage, settlement patterns and culture. Only $12 per person includng museum admission for groups of seven or more.
• For details, please visit our website at www.wilds.mb.ca/urbanat, e-mail mosor@shaw.ca or call Morris at (204) 338-4590.

 

WALKS ON THE WILD SIDE OF WINNIPEG
(University of Manitoba Recreational Services)

Through this series of 2-3 hour nature walks we will experience the "wild side" of Winnipeg. The walks are at a moderate pace with rest stops and lots of nature lore. They are suitable for adults in reasonably good physical condition (you will be required to sign a waiver) and older children. All these walks contain hand-outs and are available to the general public as well as students.
• For further information and pricing and registration, please call University of Manitoba Recreational Services, at 474-7268.

• For details, please visit our website at www.wilds.mb.ca/urbanat, e-mail mosor@shaw.ca or call Morris at (204) 338-4590.

 

WALK #1
ASSINIBOINE FOREST - SAGIMAY TRAIL

Guided nature walk through a number of habitats including restored prairie, wetlands, bur oak forest and aspen parkland. Lots of wildflowers, ducks, including possibly the magnificent wood duck, butterflies, etc.as well as learning to identify poison ivy. Weather permitting, we will also cross a boardwalk through a cattail swamp to look for strange plants including the deadly poisonous water hemlock and the carnivorous bladderwort.
• Thursday, June 8, 6:45 pm, Tentative

 

WALK #2
STURGEON CREEK PARKWAY

Walk will include human history (Cuthbert Grant's mill), botany, birds and more as we follow Sturgeon Creek north from Portage Avenue.
• Thursday, June 15, 6:45 pm, Tentative

 

WALK #3
LIVING PRAIRIE MUSEUM

The tall grass prairie which once stretched from Manitoba to Texas is now one of the most threatened ecosystems in the world with less than 1% remaining. We are fortunate here to have a relatvely large area of mostly undisturbed prairie remaining right in the middle of the city. Living Prairie museum is not a museum in the traditional sense,but rather an outdoor nature museum of the type more commonly found in England. In the summer it is a virtual sea of tall grasses and beautiful wildflowers. We will cross this prairie on a number of trails and also explore an oak-aspen woodlot more characteristic of the aspen parklands. As well as wildflowers, we will visit a buffalo rubbing stone, rubbed smooth by generations of bison, look for monarch butterflies and their caterpillars and listen for the strange bug-like call call of the tiny, elusive, clay-coloured sparrow.
• Thursday, June 22, 6:45 pm, Tentative

 

WALK #4
BUNN'S CREEK NATURE TRAIL

The hidden jewel of Winnipeg, this nature trail just off Henderson, north of the Peguis Bridge follows a creek named after Dr. Bunn, a Metis, and the first doctor in what is now Winnipeg, who owned property in the area. Often when we walk here we seem to meet up with the resident great blue heron who seems to almost pose for photographs. We have also seen kingfishers, wood ducks, a young cormorant, schools of baby catfish and many wildflowers and fungi. If we do not see beavers, we will see evidence of their work.
• Thursday, June 29, 6:45 pm, Tentative

 

 

2006 PUBLIC WALKS

 

These walks are similar to the group tours mentioned above, but are open to individuals. Prices are $5.00 per person, except as indicated and walks are 2-3 hours long with lots of time to stop and admire nature. Please register in advance as there is a limit of 15 people per outing . Trips may be cancelled because of threatening weather, lack of registration etc., or times/routes may be changed. Late registrants are welcome to join at the designated meeting place but you are taking your chances as noted above. To learn more about the following walks or to book an outing please call Morris at (204) 338-4590, write to Urban Naturalist c/o Morris Sorensen, 16-1780 Main Street, Winnipeg, MB R2V 2A1 or send e-mail to mosor@shaw.ca.

 

WELCOME SPRING AT ASSINIBOINE PARK

Lots to see at this time of year. We will get away from the crowds and follw rhe riverside trails, looking for Spring wildflowers including the nodding trillium and starry false Solomom's seal as well as seekng out warblers amd other mirgating birds. We will also visit the English Garden and outdoor plantings around the Conservatory for early butterflies as well as Spring flowers. Meet outside the main entrance to the Conservatory.
• Sunday, May 28, 2006, 1-3:30 pm at Assiniboine Park Conservatory

 

SUMMER SOLSTICE IN ASSINIBOINE FOREST

Walk the Sagimay Trail and boardwalk to see early summer flowers, including perhaps the carnivorous bladderwort and the deadly poisonous water hemlock. Watch ducks, blackbirds and swallows at the pond. Celebrate the longest day of the year. Meet at 6:45 pm at the main parking lot at Chalfont and Grant.
• Wednesday, June 21, 2006, 6:45-8:45 pm at Assiniboine Forest

 

EXPLORE MANITOBA'S ASPEN PARKLAND
WITH THE URBAN NATURALIST

A public version of our feature tour. Details as per above. Registration is definitely required for this one! Price of $12 includes museum admission and Parklands Gallery tour.
• Saturday, August 26, 2006 at Manitoba Museum

• Sunday, August 27, 2006 Assiniboine Forest Walk

 

NATURE HIKE AND PHOTOGRAPHY
AT BUNN'S CREEK

Help the Urban Naturalist celebrate his birthday with this late summer walk at Bunn's Creek. Most years the resident great blue heron comes out and "poses" for us and we often find wood ducks and kingfishers. Still lots of spectacular wildflowers blooming. Bring a camera or just come and enjoy the walk. Meet at the trail entrance on the east side of Henderson between Bonner and Knowles.
• Saturday, September 16, 2006, 1:15-3:45 pm at Bunn's Creek

 

REGULAR WALKS

 

To learn more about the following walks or to book an outing please call the Urban Naturalist at (204) 338-4590, write to Urban Naturalist c/o Morris Sorensen, 16-1780 Main Street, Winnipeg, MB R2V 2A1 or send e-mail to mosor@shaw.ca.

 

SCOTIA STREET
BETWEEN THE PARKS

This walk combines both nature and history. Starting at the Pavillion at Kildonan Park, we will follow various streets including historic Scotia St. (once a major walking route for settlers travelling to the trading post at Point Douglas) past St. John's Cathedral (site of the oldest Anglican Church in Westen Canada) and itıs historic cemetary dating back to the time of the Selkirk Setlement and ending at St. John's Park, the oldest city park in Winnipeg.
• April 1 - November 30

 

STURGEON CREEK
RIVERSIDE RAMBLE

Starting and finishing near the courts of St. James, off of Portage Avenue, this walk also includes elements of human and natural history, including birds, native and introduced wildflowers, other aspects of urban nature plus a little bit about the important Metis leader, Cuthbert Grant, and his mill.
• June 1 - October 30

 

SPRING WILDFLOWERS
OF ASSINIBOINE PARK

Away from the crowds, following the riverside trails of Assiniboine Park, we will see native wildflowers and shrubs such as nodding trillium, starry false solomon's seal, baneberry, various violet species, saskatoon and chokecherry in blossom.
• May 20 - June 15

 

PLANTS AND PLANT LORE
IN ASSINIBOINE FOREST

This walk will emphasize interesting plant lore including plant names and origins, edible, medicinal and poisonous wild plants, and plants of various habitats including aspen parkland, tall grass prairies and wetlands. We may find water hemlock (extremely poisonous), seneca snakeroot, saskatoon, hawthorn, false dandelion, chokecherry, wild strawberry, pineappleweed, wild bergamot, wild licorice, poison ivy and many others depending on the season.
• June 1 - September 15

 

WELCOME SPRING

Enjoy a Spring walk through beautiful Kildonan Park to enjoy birds including Spring migrants, early wildflowers, butterflies, and whatever else we can find at this wonderful time of year.
• May 15 - May 30

 

SUMMER IN THE CITY

Enjoy urban nature including birds, butterflies, wildflowers, trees and whatever else we can find in a city park of your choice. I would suggest Kildonan Park, Assiniboine Park, Assiniboine Forest or King's Park as good locations.
• June 30 - August 30

 

FALL COLOURS IN THE CITY

You don't have to go outside Winnipeg to enjoy the golden glow of aspens and other fall leaves, not to mention migrating birds, fall fruits and late wildflowers. Conducted in Assiniboine Forest.
• September 20 - October 20

 

NATURE PREPARES FOR WINTER

Why do some birds stay here while others migrate ? Where do frogs, toads and turtles go? What methods do plants use to survive the winter? You probably know that monarch butterflies migrate but what about other insects including other butterflies? Do chipmunks hibernate? Learn the answers to these and other questions on a Fall stroll through Kildonan Park with the Urban Naturalist.
• October 1 - November 30

 

NATURE PHOTOGRAPHY WALK

An outing for photographers of all levels along the riverside trails, through the English Garden and around and inside the Conservatory at Assiniboine Park led by an experienced nature photographer.
• May 1 - October 30

 

TEACHERS, SCOUT AND GUIDE LEADERS,
YOUTH LEADERS, ETC.

Please check my website at www.wilds.mb.ca/urbanat for children's programs, etc.

 

ADULT SPECIAL INTEREST NIGHT COURSES

Taught throughout the year at various Winnipeg High Schools, the University of Manitoba and other sites. Please call or write for details.

 

 

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Updated March 30, 2006.

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