Issue link: http://publications.winnipegfreepress.com/i/1518745
26 THE ASSINIBOIA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE • SPRING 2024 A S S I N I B O I A C H A M B E R O F C O M M E R C E The Zoo The Assiniboine Park Zoo is over 80 acres and is accredited by multiple bodies as meeting and exceeding high standards of animal care for the approximately 150 species that live there. "We have a lot of animals at the zoo, and they eat a lot of food, and they poop a lot of poop. So we have hundreds of tons a year of 'zoo poo,'" says Prokopan- ko. "That's all going to a compost facility. If it were going to the landfill, it would be a huge climate problem, producing a lot of methane. But we're able to work with a business that can take it, com- post it, and turn it into a beautiful end product." The zoo also has a conservation team that conducts research and active conservation work to ensure the survival of species, particularly polar bears, belugas, and endangered butter- flies like the Dakota skipper and the Poweshiek skipperling. The Leaf The Leaf is the new horticultural attraction with multiple biomes, a butterfly garden, and seasonal displays. The building, constructed to LEED standards, meets high sustainability benchmarks to lower carbon emissions, conserve resources, and reduce operating costs. Passive heating and cooling limit heat and energy waste—like root zone heating that keeps tropical plants happy even in Winnipeg winters. The roof is designed to capture rainwater for irrigation. The building's green features are on display once a month with dedi- cated sustainability tours. The Conservancy hopes to fully electrify its passenger and refrigerated vehicles and heavy equipment fleet. They are also actively working on generating less waste and diverting waste from land- fills by providing recycling and compost options throughout the park. "We're very aware that we have this gem of land within Winnipeg, and we have a really important responsibility to steward that," Prokopanko says. As a non-profit, the Assiniboine Park Conservancy welcomes the communi- ty to join in their work, and volunteer recruitment is currently underway. The Conservancy also welcomes donations to help expand their work in conservation, education, and research. But one of the easiest ways to support the wellbeing of the park, and your own, is to visit. Each year, the community is invited to participate in a shoreline clean-up along the stretch of the Assiniboine River bordering the Park. (Submitted)