2024 Year in Review
Bob Williams at the 2024 Ambassador Circle Luncheon (Photo by NCC Staff)
Thank you for your commitment to nature!
There are no words to fully express our gratitude to you. As one of our trusted partners, your support enables us to work towards building healthier, more resilient ecosystems that provide essential benefits and services to people and local communities.
We believe that nature is the most powerful solution to safeguard and restore our living world. And because we are all a part of nature, we can all be part of the solution.
We hope you find this report informative, as it highlights how your contributions are creating a positive impact in our world.
With gratitude,
The Staff of the Nature Conservancy of Canada in Manitoba
By the Numbers
233 hectares of invasive and woody species treated to ensure native biodiversity
357 species of plants and wildlife identified on new properties, including 8 species at risk
9 interpretive sites and trails maintained, often in partnership, to connect people to nature
334 hectares of land treated with prescribed fire to reduce wildfire risk and restore nature habitat
102 critically endangered Poweshiek skipperling butterflies released onto NCC properties
Langford Escarpment
We are excited to share that NCC has secured 178 hectares of priority land near Neepawa! This property supports mixed-grass prairie, aspen-oak forests, marshes and fens, and several at-risk species that depend on those habitats.
The project builds on a block of conservation lands, wildlife management areas and the adjacent community pasture, which will ensure connectivity and resilience for wildlife. The purchase of this land ensures a better future for many species including moose, elk, black bear, ruffed and sharp-tailed grouse, wood duck, blue-winged teal and red-tailed hawk. Species at risk, such as golden-winged warbler, red-headed woodpecker, common-night hawk and eastern wood-pewee, rely on many habitats on the property. This area has a long history of grazing as a tool to support conservation, biodiversity and livestock production goals.
The property was first homesteaded by the Harper family in the early 1900s and was home to several generations. According to Judith Harper, “that the property is donated and conserved for the benefit of nature seems the most fitting way to honour my family and the land”. The project was also made possible in part by the Government of Canada, through the Natural Heritage Conservation Program, part of Canada’s Nature Fund.
Ralph Wang Trail
Did you know temperate grasslands, including Canada's prairies, are one of the most endangered ecosystems on Earth? Thanks to the new Ralph Wang Trail, you can now experience these rich habitats firsthand! This August, the trail was officially opened to the public, in an event attended by local community members.
Ralph Wang, a Reeve for over 30 years, was an enthusiastic birdwatcher with a long-standing commitment to conservation. Wang collaborated with NCC, as well as fellow councillors and staff in Manitoba to establish a conservation agreement for the land which is owned by the Municipality of Two Borders. Since then, an interpretive site and trail have been developed on the property, the Ralph Wang trail, that allows visitors to explore native prairie and learn more the grasslands, birds and other species that use it.
To learn more and get directions to come out and visit this beautiful site, visit https://naturedestinations.ca/destinations/ralph-wang-trail
Celebrating 20 Years of Generosity: A Tribute to Bob Williams
For over two decades, Bob Williams has been a cornerstone of our community, generously supporting our mission and helping us achieve countless conservation victories. Bob’s journey with NCC started in 2004, and he continues to inspire others to protect and care for nature.
Bob’s belief in our cause stems from his personal experiences. “I was raised on the banks of the Assiniboine River in Winnipeg. As a young child my dad would teach me the difference between the snow tracks of a squirrel, a rabbit and a fox, and it inspired my passion for Mother Nature,” Bob says. “I have concluded that all species are at risk for one reason, and that is the loss of habitat.”
Bob’s contributions have been instrumental in securing many projects, from Douglas Marsh to Waggle Springs / Wabano Aki. As we celebrate this incredible milestone, we look forward to the future and the continued impact of Bob’s support. His current focus is Camp Morton, a priority conservation project that would double the amount of NCC protected lands in the area. Thank you, Bob, for being a true champion of our work!
Wildflower Planting with Waywayseecappo First Nation
As NCC works to restore native grasslands to their former glory, we rely on local partners such as Skinner Native Seeds to source and collect the necessary seeds. Gathering and cleaning just a handful of seeds can be time-consuming, often taking about half an hour to forage and pick, depending on the plant, and another half hour to clean that single handful.
These seeds are then used to restore altered land back to the prairie ecosystem that existed many years ago. In 2021, the grassland restoration process began on NCC’s Fort Ellice property, a species rich area containing a variety of rare and distinctive habitats. Over the past three years, seeding has occurred each spring with a mix of locally appropriate native grasses and wildflowers and is supported by a second seeding in the fall.
In addition to the seeding that took place this spring, eight volunteers from Waywayseecappo First Nation Off-Campus School joined NCC, along with Skinner Native Seeds, to plant 1,300 native wildflower seedlings. These seedlings will add to the diversity of the ecosystem, and ensure it remains healthy and resilient. Events such as these are a testament to the diverse partners and communities that NCC has the privilege to collaborate with.
