People passionate about nature

170 Years on the St. Charles Tall Grass Prairie: Will There be 170 More?

Presenter: 

John Morgan, Prairie Habitats, Inc.

Date: 

Monday, January 5, 2015

Start Time: 

7:30 pm

Location: 

Franco-Manitoban Cultural Centre, 340 Provencher Blvd on second floor - Salle Antoine-Gaborieau.

Admission: 

$2 for members and $3 for non-members.

Donated to the Canadian Department of National Defence in 1911 by Sir Henry Pallot, the St. Charles Ranges became a training centre for soldiers heading to the battlefields of WWI, WWII, Korea and Afghanistan. This little known 400+ hectare gem with a view of Winnipeg's skyline has been completely protected by military personnel for over a century. The St. Charles Ranges is the largest tall grass prairie remaining in the central Red River Valley. Several biological studies have been undertaken there, with vegetation and wildlife data dating back to the 1870’s. This includes some of Canada’s first aerial photo vegetation maps from 1929, insect species new to science and nearly 200 native plants. Biologist John Morgan will reveal the fascinating history of this amazing site, and tell us about its uncertain future, as development plans threaten its very existence.