Red River Co-op has announced that the Harry J. Enns Wetland Discovery Centre at Oak Hammock Marsh near Stonewall was selected to receive a $25,000 Co-op Community Spaces donation. The donation will be used towards the creation of pollinator gardens and improvements to the green roof on the Discovery Centre.
“Oak Hammock Marsh is a treasured environmental sanctuary that’s been enjoyed by Manitobans for decades,” said Doug Wiebe, CEO of Red River Co-op. “We are proud to contribute to the restoration of these critical areas at the Discovery Centre to help ensure the sustainability of the wetlands through maintenance and education.”
The existing pollinator garden had been taken over by weedy species. It has been redeveloped to make it more accessible with new paving and planter boxes. Wildflowers and native plants will be planted and interpretive signage installed to engage and educate visitors. Several education program participants will now be able to visit the garden as part of their learning. The Plants & People program, where school-aged children learn the significance of the marsh and prairie plants and how they were used by Indigenous people, is an example.
“Having an accessible garden and a healthy green roof overlooking our beautiful wetland will be an incredible gift for all our visitors to enjoy,” said Nathalie Bays, Manager of the Harry J. Enns Wetland Discovery Centre.
Funds will also be used to hire a contractor to assess the health of the prairie plants as well as execute a controlled burn on the Discovery Centre’s green roof. A controlled burn will reduce weeds and allow prairie plants to re-grow. The green roof consists of grasses and flowers native to the surrounding landscape and acts as a natural insulation layer, reducing heating and cooling costs. By restoring the prairie on the roof and adding pollinator gardens, prairie habitat will be added adjacent to the wetland, thus providing both food and shelter for many species.
The Co-op Community Spaces program was developed to help protect and beautify spaces across Western Canada to improve the places people meet, play, learn and share.
