Other sights on the western Prairies are more famous, but don’t miss this slice of Indigenous history closer to home
Perhaps you have heard about the famous attraction in southwestern Alberta called Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump — but were you aware that Manitoba has similar sites? In the southern part of our province, just north of the village of Cartwright, is the Clay Banks Buffalo Jump. Many years ago, when bison still roamed these vast stretches […] Read more
Here you’ll find hiking and biking trails, great scenery, wildlife and the historic gate
Visitors to Riding Mountain National Park often spend most of their time in the Wasagaming/Clear Lake area, with perhaps part of a day at Lake Audy to see the bison. But Highway No. 19 on the east side of the park can be rewarding in several ways — stretching your muscles on the hiking and […] Read more
A 4-H group and a training centre are building to aid Friends of the Bluebirds
Two new groups are helping to improve the survival rate of bluebirds and swallows in Manitoba. They are doing so by providing nest boxes through the Brandon-based organization, Friends of the Bluebirds. One group, the Belles, Beaux & Builders 4-H Club from Neepawa, made a presentation at the Brandon Discovery Centre at the April meeting […] Read more
Work to repair flood damage of 2011 and 2014 is long term but well underway
Brandon’s Riverbank Development Inc. is continuing its recovery efforts following the devastating floods of 2011 and 2014. The redevelopment is long term but is well underway, in conjunction with the Assiniboine River Corridor Master Plan. There are numerous recovery undertakings, with the Riverbank Discovery Centre as the “North Hub” of the plan. The Corridor Master […] Read more
A good destination for birdwatchers and those interested in history
For history buffs and keen birders, an interesting spot to visit is the site of old Fort Ellice, southwest of St. Lazare, Manitoba. This area is also part of the Ellice-Archie and Spy Hill Community Pasture, formerly PFRA (Prairie Farm Rehabilitation Administration), that straddles the Manitoba-Saskatchewan border. It was recently included as part of Manitoba’s […] Read more
Previously known as the Trans Canada Trail it is more than 24,000 km long
Have you explored any of “the Great Trail?” Known as the Trans Canada Trail (TCT) until a name change in 2016, it is more than 24,000 km long, and seeks to connect the east, west and north coasts of Canada. A not-for-profit organization, the Trans Canada Trail was created in 1992 as part of Canada’s […] Read more
Looking for a project while waiting for warmer weather? Why not try this?
If you’re interested in birds or the outdoors, but not keen on cold-weather activities, why not spend some time inside planning and building birdhouses? Most are not too difficult to make, but they do require some preparation. First, decide what type of bird you plan to build for, as different species have different requirements and/or […] Read more
Bittersweet Ski Club is holding this event on February 17 and all are welcome
Do you enjoy cross-country skiing? If so, check out the “Big Ski Day” at Bittersweet Ski Club on February 17 (the Sunday of Louis Riel long weekend). The Big Ski Day will be a chance for skiers to test themselves to see how far they can ski in a single day. It is not a […] Read more
Twice-a-year visits to the one-room school made for an eventful time
If questioned about a “school inspector,” today’s students might assume that a health and safety inspection was the topic. But in the days of the one-room rural school, a visit by the school inspector was viewed as an important event. As a student in the 1950s and ’60s — before the amalgamation of most rural […] Read more
This is one of the best times to watch for birds and the lack of foliage makes it easier to spot them
Winter’s arrival doesn’t put a stop to birding in Manitoba, as this can actually be one of the best times for birdwatching. The variety of birds is, of course, much less, but that makes it easier to identify them. Birds may also be easier to see against the snow than hidden in grass or foliage, […] Read more
