People passionate about nature

Past Discovery Evenings

Orchids to Birds: Survey Projects at the Manitoba Tall Grass Prairie Preserve

Small White Lady’s-slipper in the Tall Grass Prairie Preserve | Lorne Heshka

Date: 

Monday, October 21, 2013

Presenter: 

Christie Borkowsky, Biologist, Manitoba Tall Grass Prairie Preserve

The Manitoba Tall Grass Prairie Preserve is home to a vast array of species, several of which are considered at risk both federally and provincially. Two species highlighted will be the Western Prairie Fringed-orchid and the Small White Lady’s-slipper, both listed as Endangered.

Insects of the Carberry Sandhills

Date: 

Monday, March 4, 2013

Presenter: 

Robert Wrigley, Retired biologist

A hike through Manitoba’s Carberry Sandhills presents frequent opportunities to observe hundreds of fascinating and colorful insects – wasps, bees, butterflies, beetles, dragonflies, cicadas, and many other families. With striking close-up images of these ‘creatures of the sand’, Robert describes their natural history and where to look for them.

From Grasslands to Shoreline – Manitoba’s Most Endangered Birds, The Burrowing Owl and Piping Plover

Date: 

Monday, February 4, 2013

Presenter: 

Ken De Smet, Species at Risk Biologist, Manitoba Conservation Project Manager, Piping Plover Program & Alexandra Froese, Project Manager, Manitoba Burrowing Owl Recovery Program

This presentation will focus on conservation initiatives for two of Manitoba’s most endangered birds – the Piping Plover and Burrowing Owl.  Manitoba Conservation has been involved in monitoring conservation initiatives for these two species since the late 1980s.

Manitoba’s Enchanted Isles – Exploring the Remote Islands of Lake Winnipeg’s North Basin

Date: 

Monday, January 21, 2013

Presenter: 

Randall Mooi, Curator of Zoology, The Manitoba Museum

The North Basin of Lake Winnipeg is dotted with several islands that have received only cursory attention from biologists. Dr. Randall Mooi has surveyed several of these islands for birds, amphibians and reptiles and has made some surprising discoveries: uniquely coloured snakes, unexpected toads, and rare birds, and even spiders that live in carnivorous plants. Join Dr.

North Pole Adventures

Date: 

Monday, December 10, 2012

Presenter: 

Darcy St. Laurent, Search and Rescue Technician

In the company of Eric Larsen and Antony Jinman, Darcy St. Laurent successfully completed a trek to the North Pole during the spring of 2010. The trio was flown in by ski plane to Cape Discovery on Ellesmere Island on March 3rd. Throughout the journey, the men experienced gruelling conditions that made progress difficult.

Hide and Seek with Amphibians and Reptiles in Southwestern Manitoba

Date: 

Monday, November 12, 2012

Presenter: 

Pamela Rutherford, Associate Professor, Department of Biology, Brandon University

Southwestern Manitoba is home to sixteen species of amphibians and reptiles, and several of these species have localized distributions. In addition, many of these same species are secretive and little is known about their natural history.

What are Forests Good For? The Many Values of Forests in Canada and Around the World

Date: 

Monday, October 29, 2012

Presenter: 

John Gray, Retired economist and forestry consultant

This evening John Gray will explore the diverse uses and values of forests, and some of the issues in managing forests, drawing on examples from Canada, Manitoba, and elsewhere in the World. John studied forestry at the University of British Columbia and worked in forestry in B.C. He has consulted on forestry issues for Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, and Newfoundland and Labrador.

Ecology of a Cultural Icon – The Lake Sturgeon

Date: 

Monday, October 15, 2012

Presenter: 

Dr. W. Gary Anderson, Associate Professor, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Manitoba

A life history strategy of slow growth and late sexual maturity have made Lake Sturgeon (Acipenser fulvescens) particularly vulnerable to over-fishing and habitat fragmentation. Over the last century, population declines have been sufficiently severe to lead to the potential listing of the species under the Species at Risk Act in Canada.

Shrinking Habitat, Dwindling Numbers: Manitoba’s Endangered Prairie Butterflies

Date: 

Monday, February 6, 2012

Presenter: 

Dr. Richard Westwood (Associate Professor, Environmental Studies Program, Department of Biology, University of Winnipeg)

The amount of undisturbed prairie habitat has diminished in Manitoba at an alarming rate over the past century. Dr. Westwood will explain the habitat requirements of several threatened and endangered butterfly species found only in Manitoba, and describe the history of the decline of these species.

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