People passionate about nature

Winter is Coming!

Explore • Nature • Connect

Discovery Evenings Grey Hares Mantario Wilderness Centre
Photo: NM Archives

December 2024

S M T W T F S
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
 
Winnipeg River outing

Winnipeg River outing

Outdoor Activities: 

Event Date: 

December 1, 2024

Trip Rating: 

NOVICE

Contact / Registration: 

Rudolf Koes at 204-661-0763 or at rkoes@mymts.net  or Garry Budyk at 204-661-1062 or gbudyk@shaw.ca for carpool info.

This is your chance to get a start on your winter list. We hope to see lingering waterfowl, such as Long-tailed Duck and Harlequin Duck, or rare gulls. Meet at the Seven Sisters dam parking lot at 9 a.m. Please note that this outing will be held on a Sunday, rather than the usual Saturday.

Dec 1 2024
 
 
 
Grassland Bird and Biodiversity Recovery

Grassland Bird and Biodiversity Recovery

Presenter: 

Ian Cook

Date: 

Tuesday, December 3, 2024

Start Time: 

7:30 pm

Location: 

Westworth United Church at 1750 Grosvenor Avenue

Admission: 

$5 for members (non-member rate $10)

On the Prairies we’re at the confluence of three major migratory flyways, and the Prairies, with their grasslands and wetlands make up one of the most important biomes for birds in North America.  The grasslands of Canada are among the most endangered and least protected ecosystems on the planet. The rapid and continued loss of grasslands is driving much of the unique wildlife that rely on this landscape towards extinction, over 60 federally listed Species at Risk are grassland species. As a group in Canada, grassland birds have declined by 60% since 1970, which is among the steepest declines of any bird group. This talk will discuss some of the root causes of grassland bird declines and Birds Canada’s work to find mutually beneficial solutions for wildlife, the environment, farmers, ranchers, and society at large, and create an agricultural system that actively conserves and recovers birds and biodiversity.

 

Ian Cook is the Grassland Conservation Manager at Birds Canada and brings a unique blend of agricultural expertise and a deep passion for conservation to his role. Ian grew up on a mixed farm in western Manitoba, and earned a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture from the University of Manitoba and is a Professional Agrologist and Certified Crop Advisor. As Grassland Conservation Manager, Ian’s work focuses on addressing the root causes of grassland bird declines by developing pathways to encourage and incentivize biodiversity and bird conservation within the Canadian agricultural landscape.

Buy Tickets on Evenbrite for December 3rd, 2024 Discovery Evening

Dec 3 2024
 
 
Skating at River Heights Arena

Skating at River Heights Arena

Outdoor Activities: 

Event Date: 

December 4, 2024

Trip Rating: 

NOVICE

Contact / Registration: 

Clarke Wilkie -- register at wc-wilkie@shaw.ca

Location: River Heights Arena, 1370 Grosvenor Ave

Time: Lap skating is from 12:45 to 1:45. Please arrive by 12:30. Often we can start skating early.

Cost: $5.

Description: River Heights Arena -- lap skating for an hour, followed by "coffee" at Clarke's house at 29 Exmouth Blvd. (If you are interested, let Clarke know when you register.)

Bring: Your name tag.

Activity Type: 

Dec 4 2024
 
 
 
 
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
 
 
 
Tuesday Breakfast

Tuesday Breakfast

Outdoor Activities: 

Event Date: 

Repeats every month on the second Tuesday 2 times.
December 10, 2024
January 14, 2025

Trip Rating: 

NOVICE

Contact / Registration: 

Charles Begley -- register at ccbegley@shaw.ca

Date: The second Tuesday of every month at 9.00 AM
Location: Smitty’s Family Restaurant, 580 Pembina Hwy (near Grant Ave)
Registration deadline: The preceding Sunday at 6:00 PM. Charles needs to know who will be attending.
Bring: Your name tag.

Dec 10 2024
 
 
 
 
 
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
 
Winnipeg Christmas Bird Count

Winnipeg Christmas Bird Count

Outdoor Activities: 

Event Date: 

December 15, 2024

Trip Rating: 

NOVICE

Contact / Registration: 

Rudolf Koes well before the count date (preferably no later than early December) at 204-661-0763 or rkoes@mymts.net for details or to register.

This is a great opportunity to see some wintering birds in the city. Join tens of thousands of other birders across North America in this event and help contribute to our knowledge of winter bird distribution.
A potluck dinner and compiling session will be held afterwards; details about the venue to follow.
Please contact Rudolf Koes well before the count date (preferably no later than early December) at 204-661-0763 or rkoes@mymts.net for details or to register.

Dec 15 2024
 
 
 
 
Cross Country Ski Lessons

Cross Country Ski Lessons

Outdoor Activities: 

Event Date: 

December 18, 2024

Trip Rating: 

NOVICE

Contact / Registration: 

Kevin & Anita Miller-- register at k.a.miller@mts.net  Please see the Registration section (below) before registering.

Location: Windsor Park Nordic Centre

Time: Lessons from 1:00 to 2:00 PM.
We will gather inside the clubhouse before 12:30 to sign-in, buy trail passes, rent skis if required, and get ready. If your skis require grip wax, you should probably do that at home, but Kevin & Anita will be in the clubhouse at 12:15 to answer any equipment/waxing questions. Shortly before 1:00, we'll meet our instructors and head outside via the back door.

Description: We've offered these lessons each December since 2014. Last year's was cancelled because of a lack of snow, but in December 2022 we had 35 participants divided into five groups, each with a CANSI instructor.
Depending on the desires and skill levels of participants, possible instruction groups could be:
1. Improve (or learn) diagonal stride (the basic cross country skiing technique) – beginner, novice, and participants who have not skied very much in the past few years
The goal of this lesson is for participants to learn or improve diagonal striding. The instructor will work with this group in the Practice Grid area.
2. Improve your diagonal stride (the basic cross country skiing technique) – intermediate or getting there, and have skied a fair amount in the past
The goal of this lesson is for participants to improve diagonal striding and become a more efficient skier. Some hills skills may be covered.
3. Review/refresh basic skills and learn/refresh other techniques – intermediate to advanced
The goal of this lesson is to become a more efficient (or faster) skier by dialing in your diagonal stride and then learn/refresh other techniques.
4. Review/refresh basic skills and learn/refresh more advanced techniques -- advanced
The goal of this lesson is to become a more efficient (or faster) skier by dialing in your diagonal stride and then learn/refresh other techniques.
5. Hills – intermediate
The goal of this lesson will be to ascend a moderately steep hill using diagonal stride technique, ascend a short steep hill with herringbone technique, and to descend these two hills safely and confidently. Hopefully there will be time to work on both descending and ascending; descending is the priority.

Cost: Participants will pay for their share of the instructors' fees (likely $5+ of each instructor's $35 fee) and a Windsor Park Nordic Centre trail fee.

Weather: Instruction involves some standing around, and the training grid at the Windsor Park Nordic Centre is not well sheltered. Please dress warmer than you would usually dress for skiing.

Registration: If you are interested (or might be interested) in attending this activity, please contact the leaders ASAP to register ... or if you have questions or comments. Please indicate which of the five instruction groups you'd prefer, and also specific skills you'd like to acquire. The more info you provide when registering, the more likely we can create a group that will meet your expectations. A confirmation email message will be sent as registrations are received.
The registration deadline is Friday December 13 at 11:59 PM. At that time, all registrants will be contacted and asked if they will commit to the activity by agreeing to pay in-person at the Windsor Park Nordic Centre on Wednesday December 18 (or paying later by e-transfer if they end up not attending the lessons). We will then form instruction groups and hire the instructors.

Cancellation: This activity will be cancelled or postponed if snow conditions are poor, if the number of registrations is insufficient to form instruction groups, and/or if the forecast temperature/windchill is too cold. 

Bring: Your name tag. Also your skis/boots/poles (which you've checked out and tried on a few days earlier), or you can rent equipment at the Windsor Park Nordic Centre. All rental classic skis are skin skis.

Activity Type: 

Dec 18 2024
 
 
 
 
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
29
30
31
1
2
3
4
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Nature Manitoba acknowledges we are on Treaty 1 Territory and that Manitoba is located on the Treaty Territories and ancestral lands of the Anishinaabeg, Anishininewuk, Dakota Oyate, Denesuline and Nehethowuk Nations. We acknowledge Manitoba is located on the Homeland of the Red River Métis. We are committed to working in partnership with First Nations, Inuit and Métis people in the spirit of truth, reconciliation and collaboration.

 

Upcoming Outings

Dec 10 2024
Dec 10 2024
Jan 20 2025 to Jan 23 2025
Jan 31 2025 to Feb 3 2025
NEW
Mar 22 2025 to Mar 24 2025

Upcoming Birding Outings

Upcoming Grey Hares Outings