MANITOBA'S BEAUDRY PROVINCIAL PARK FEATURED IN ROBERT BATEMAN 'GET TO KNOW' PROGRAM

Young people will have the opportunity to get to know their wild neighbours in Beaudry Provincial Park through the provincially supported Robert Bateman Get to Know program, Conservation Minister Bill Blaikie said today on Earth Day.

"The program will help introduce young people to the wonders of Manitoba's natural areas through computer and Internet-based resources, and hopefully encourage them to experience parks in person," said Blaikie.  "Greater awareness of our environment will help foster a stronger sense of pride and personal responsibility to the natural world."

The Get to Know virtual hike is designed to provide youth with an opportunity to explore local green spaces such as Beaudry Provincial Park and learn about local wildlife before visiting in person.  The ultimate goal of the project is to raise environmental literacy and awareness in Manitoba schools.

For more than 10 years, the Robert Bateman Get to Know program has connected hundreds of thousands of young people with direct, hands-on learning opportunities through educational initiatives based on current research developed in conjunction with leading educators.  The site can be viewed at http://hikes.gettoknow.ca/beaudry.

The province provided a $25,000 Sustainable Development Innovations Fund (SDIF) grant to assist with the project.  SDIF supports a diverse range of projects from research studies and demonstrations of new technology to community enhancement and environmental awareness.  Other targeted funding programs under the SDIF are:
- the Waste Reduction and Pollution Prevention Fund;
- the Environmental Youth Corps;
- the Manitoba Climate Change Action Fund; and
- the Water Stewardship Fund.

More information on these programs is available at www.susdev.gov.mb.ca.

This year also marks the 50th anniversary of the first Provincial Parks Act passed by the Manitoba legislature.  Visitors have access to outdoor experiences in a variety of provincial parks that will feature free entry once again this year.
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