Summer Starts Here

NATURE COMES ALIVE AT FORTWHYTE Ecotours offer a fascinating look behind the scenes at nature centre By Jim Timlick WHILE STAYCATIONS ARE HARDLY A NEW CONCEPT, THEY HAVE TAKEN ON NEWFOUND RELEVANCE FOR MANY MANITOBANS LOOKING TO MAKE SUMMER PLANS AMID CONCERNS OVER THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC. If you are among those planning to stick close to home this season, you may want to discover – or rediscover – one of Winnipeg's most popular summer destinations. FortWhyte Alive is conveniently located just minutes from the heart of the city and its picturesque forests and wetlands attracts thousands of visitors each summer. Carolyn Townend, FortWhyte's communications and brand manager, says the nature centre is doing everything it can to ensure it offers guests a safe and enjoyable experience this summer. That includes observing social distancing requirements and limiting public tours to no more than 10 people and private tours to a maximum of 14 individuals. "It's obviously going to be very different for us this summer," Townend says. "We're really trying to focus on capturing a staycation option for a lot of people in Winnipeg and Manitoba. "We think this summer is going to be an opportunity for people to rediscover us and see the value of staying close to home, to reconnecting with destinations in our city that allow you to feel like you're getting out of the city. You really feel like you're in a totally different place when you're at FortWhyte." FortWhyte's ecotours are one of the centre's most popular offerings and attract upwards of 750 visitors a month throughout the summer. That will likely be the case again this summer, and Townend says the tours have been adapted to conform with guidelines recommended by public health officials. Four ecotours will be offered to the public beginning July 1. Each of the walking tours is approximately one hour to 90 minutes in length. One of the new tour offerings this summer is the Baby Bison Walk, which is in addition to FortWhyte's regular Bison Safaris. The centre's bison herd welcomed seven babies this spring and this tour is an opportunity for visitors to connect first-hand with the ninth largest land animal at its smallest and cutest. "It's really about learning about the history of bison in Manitoba and why they are so symbolic and important to our history," Townend explains. Hungry for something a little different? Then you may want to check out FortWhyte's Wild Edibles Plants tour. A guide will help you to navigate the various ecosystems on the centre's grounds, highlight the different vegetations that exist in those systems and explain how many of them have been used for food or medicine throughout the province's history. "I've gone of the tour several times and our tour guides have such a wealth of knowledge. It amazes me every time I go on the tour," Townend says. Another new offering at FortWhyte this summer is From Bedrock to Bison, a walking tour that examines the nature centre's history and how its developed over the past 50 years. That includes a look back to the early 1900s when it was home to a Canada Cement Company plant that mined clay and gravel and how beginning in the 1960s the Wildlife Foundation of Manitoba began efforts to reclaim the site as a natural habitat. "If you go back through the history of FortWhyte it's absolutely amazing to see how it's been transformed," Townend says. "It's all been about ensuring there was green space within the city that's accessible where people can go not just to relax but to connect with nature and learn about the environment." Last but not least is the Habitat Secrets tour. This one is all about showcasing the many critters who call FortWhyte home including woodchucks, prairie dogs, numerous waterfowl and a wide variety of birds. In addition to explaining why they've chosen to make FortWhyte their home, guides also provide tips on how to spot wildlife at the centre while at the same time respecting them. Although the pandemic has dramatically altered the way we live, it has also altered shifted the way many of us view the world around us, something Townend sees as a positive. "We've seen a lot of people connect with nature in a real way during the last few months, whether it's birding or spending more time in nature, and connecting with other people. I think that's something people will be looking for a lot this summer." Starts here! 04 $ 30/year Individuals Includes free or discounted admission to seven Manitoba Signature Museums! See mhv.ca for more information $ 50/year Families REGISTRATION STARTS IN JUNE! Package of 10, 2-hr weekly lessons for beginner riders. Ages 8 to 70+. Lessons start the week of September 13th! SUMMER CAMPS: EQUINE ASSISTED LEARNING: FALL INTRODUCTORY RIDING PROGRAM: WEEK LONG DAY CAMPS include riding lessons, crafts, and other fun activities! Ages 8 and up. Flexible drop-off/pick-up times SKILLS FOR LIFE TAUGHT BY A HORSE! • Fun corporate and organization team building and leadership development workshops • Scientifically proven anti-bullying and life skills curriculum for youth • Women empowerment workshops • Communication workshops for families dealing with anxiety, stress and communication challenges during COVID-19 Boardroom, conference room and outdoor space rentals with catering available. Get out of the city and plan your next event with us! 4180 Waverley Street, Winnipeg | www.sagehillstables.com | Phone: 1-800-217-4184 "WE THINK THIS SUMMER IS GOING TO BE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR PEOPLE TO REDISCOVER US AND SEE THE VALUE OF STAYING CLOSE TO HOME." – FORT WHY TE ALIVE'S CAROLYN TOWNEND PHOTOS BY DARCY FINLEY FortWhyte's ecotours offer guests an opportunity to reconnect with nature without having to travel outside the city to do so.

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