Dr. Craig Willis, a wildlife biologist from the University of Winnipeg, shared his enthusiasm for the flying mammals to 25-30 youth at a special “Bat Talk” today sponsored by the Fisher River Cree Nation and Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (CPAWS).
“Bats are intriguing animals,” Dr. Willis said. “After all, what other mammal can fly?”
Willis explained why Manitoba is such a great place to study bats. He also plans to dispel some of the common myths. A bat would never get stuck in your hair – its sense of echolocation is too good for that. What is true is that Little Brown Bats love to eat insects – up to 500–1000 an hour!
Manitoba is prime territory for bats because of our large numbers of limestone caves. At least two species of bats hibernate in the caves, because they maintain constant temperature and humidity. “The Little Brown Bat, one common species, hibernates up to eight months at a stretch,” explained Willis.
Map of the proposed Tim’s Camp.
Click to Enlarge
The province has announced a new location for a proposed Tim Horton’s children’s camp near Sylvia Lake in Whiteshell provincial park. The message from CPAWS is the same as last year when Meditation Lake was originally proposed for a Tim Horton’s camp in the park – no more development in Whiteshell park before it has a current management plan.
Whiteshell’s 1983 park management plan was scheduled for review in 1993 and 2003. The commitment to modernize the plan remains unfulfilled and the province has not announced any intentions to fulfill this obligation.
CPAWS encourages nature experiences through sustainable tourism ventures, including children's camps, but we must first have up-to-date management plans for our parks before further developments take place.
As piecemeal park developments lacking a master vision often lead to disastrous ecological results, CPAWS has long pressed the province to fulfill its commitment to produce park management plans for all our 81 provincial parks. Presently only 3 parks have recent plans and many have no plan at all.
You wouldn't consider building a house with a 27 year old plan. You would revise it to incorporate present day knowledge. This is the approach the province needs to take with our treasured provincial parks.
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Winner of Investor’s Group Employee Volunteer Award, Nicole Wadelius has generously given her time to many charitable pursuits including volunteering for the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society - Manitoba Chapter, Healing Hands Healing Hearts Art Show, and Community Outreach Committee. Nicole has spent the last 2 years as Marketing Director on the CPAWS Manitoba’s calendar committee providing valuable leadership in marketing and advertising. She has been integral to the success of the boreal wilderness calendar which raises funds and educates about wilderness conservation opportunities in Manitoba.
“I find it very important to protect our province’s natural wilderness, specifically in the boreal region, so that the beautiful species of flora and fauna can continue to flourish in order to maintain a healthy and plentiful eco-system and so First Nations people in these regions can continue to maintain their traditional activities and cultural heritage. Overall I feel that I chose to volunteer with them so that future generations of Manitobans can continue to experience and enjoy our province’s natural beauty for generations to come.”
Nicole’s dedication and energy shine which consequently motivates those around her. As one who always goes above and beyond, , we are delighted that she has received this well deserved recognition. Congratulations Nicole from the CPAWS staff and board of directors.
Dave Wright, lawyer and partner at Aikins, MacAulay & Thorvaldson LLP, was honoured with the Manitoba Bar Association’s Pro Bono Award this month. Dave was recognized for his work on behalf of Manitobans living with disabilities.
Dave has been a dedicated CPAWS Manitoba board member since 2004. He is also a member and Secretary of the CPAWS National Board of Trustees. His efforts include developing a sustainability project for the Manitoba chapter that seeks funding certainty for conservation initiatives in the province. His leadership and assistance in finance and fundraising has been invaluable. Dave’s enthusiasm and devotion to protect Canada’s great wilderness in his support of CPAWS is appreciated and inspiring.
Dave’s generosity reveals itself in the many ways he is involved and engaged in the Canadian community. In his many commitments and actions Dave is making our world a better place and motivating the people around him to get involved in charitable pursuits.
- Read the Free Press article, “Winnipeg’s top lawyers honoured today”
By Ron Thiessen, CPAWS Manitoba Executive Director
Traditional medicine man and teacher ‘Morning Star’ Garry Raven passed away on January 17, 2010.
I met him in 2001 when I visited his home in Hollow Water First Nation to discuss the potential of the Manigotagan River and surrounding area being protected in a provincial park. He welcomed me with open arms and I soon became impressed by Garry’s vast knowledge and strong desire to protect the Boreal Forest from industrial developments.
- A story about Garry – based on a interview with him in 2008
- Garry’s Pipe Carriers Ceremony to bring awareness to the importance of the lands on Eastside of Lake Winnipeg
On January 21st, 2010, Manitoba political party leaders debated the location of the upcoming BiPole major Hydro transmission corridor..
Deputy Premier Rosanne Wowchuk stated that a UNESCO World Heritage Site and an east side Hydro line are incompatible. She asserted that the decision has been made and the line is going down the west side. She also made it clear that abundant concerns expressed from potential U.S. customers about an east side hydro line would place export sales at risk.
Manitoba Liberal Leader John Gerrard issued the Liberal party’s preference for BiPole III to run under Lake Winnipeg. He stated that this option is feasible and the costs involved would be similar, or less, due to fewer negotiations.
Manitoba PC leader Hugh McFayden left no doubt that his party wants an east side Hydro line. He mentioned that he hasn’t seen any documentation supporting claims that export sales would be threatened by an east side transmission corridor.
CPAWS Manitoba Executive Director Ron Thiessen went up to the microphone to share how keeping a major hydro corridor away from the east side will help to gain World Heritage Site status for the region. He stated that it is a contest, as there are many candidates but few are chosen. Thiessen noted that a transmission corridor that offers little or no long-term benefits to local communities would weaken its case for approval. He further remarked that the proposal would be stronger without a major slice through the area, increasing the chances of receiving this internationally prestigious designation that will bring people from all over the world to experience its exceptional culture and unbroken wilderness.
See Also:
Bloodvein River First Nation has joined the quest for a World Heritage Site on the east side of Lake Winnipeg. As an active member of Pimachiowin Aki - a unique partnership to safeguard the Anishinabe culture and the boreal forest - Bloodvein River First Nation joins the First Nations of Poplar River, Little Grand Rapids, Paungassi and Pikangikum as well as the provincial governments of Manitoba and Ontario.
William Young, band councilor and spokesperson for Bloodvein First Nation, reveals that more than half of the community’s traditional territory of 4300 square kilometres will be added to the current 40,000 square kilometres in the proposed World Heritage Site area. He states it is likely more land will be included after consultation with community membership.
New report: Traditional aboriginal knowledge key to Boreal Forest conservation
The report, Conservation Value of the North American Boreal Forest from an Ethnobotanical Perspective, describes the deep botanical and ecological knowledge that Canada's Aboriginal peoples have gained over thousands of years of using the Boreal Forest as grocery, pharmacy, school, and spiritual centre.
