Michaela Kent, Parks Canada Superintendent, Riding Mountain National Park
The first National Parks Act (1911) set the guiding philosophy for Canada’s national park system with the statement that national parks “are hereby dedicated to the people of Canada, for their benefit, education and enjoyment...
Christa M. Szumski, Ph.D. Candidate, Dept. of Biological Sciences, University of Manitoba
Chemically speaking, you are what you eat, and from just a few strands of hair scientists are able to reconstruct the diets of animals. Christa Szumski is a Ph.D. candidate at the University of Manitoba studying the ecology of Canada lynx across their range. The reclusive nature of these wild cats makes them particularly challenging to study, especially over large geographic areas.
Miles Zhang, Ph.D. Candidate, Dept. of Entomology, University of Manitoba
Parasitoids are a diverse group of insects with life cycles perfect for a horror movie, as they often lay their eggs inside their host and devour their prey from within. Learn what it is to be a parasitoid, get an overview of the major groups, and see some of the interesting ways these creatures attack their hosts.
Dr. Steve Ferguson, Dept. of Fisheries and Oceans (Freshwater Institute, University of Manitoba)
The Arctic ice-free season has increased in area and duration providing killer whales with an expanding arena for predation. A research group called “Orcas of the Canadian Arctic” set out to understand this change. Initially we compiled a database to document the historical occurrence, distribution, feeding ecology, and seasonality of killer whales in the region.
Dr. Robert Currie, Professor and Head, Dept. of Entomology, University of Manitoba
Honey bees and some other pollinators have suffered high rates of population loss since 2006. While the problem has been extensively investigated, no single factor has been identified that can explain all instances of colony losses.
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.
In September 2013, four Nature Manitoba members (Rudolf Koes, Peter Taylor, Gene Walz and Brad Carey) spent three weeks exploring some of the wild places of southern Brazil.
Martha Barwinsky, City Forester, Urban Forestry Branch, City of Winnipeg
Urban forestry programs work to ensure canopy cover to mitigate the impacts of urbanization and to provide a liveable environment for an increasing population. But they continue to be challenged with urban sprawl that reduces natural forest cover and creates unsuitable growing conditions. A broadened global market and climate change are added challenges.
Dr. James Hare, Dept. of Biological Sciences, University of Manitoba
Jim Hare has specialized in the study of animal behaviour for over 30 years, focusing on ants, moths, fireflies, squirrels, bats, birds, fish, snakes and humans.
Dr. Diana Bizecki Robson, Curator of Botany, Manitoba Museum
***NOTE*** Due to construction, the room for October 6 has been changed to the Jean-Paul-Aubry Hall on the main level. Directional signs will be posted. You can enter the Jean-Paul-Aubry Hall from the outside, i.e. you do not need to go through the building.
Dr. Danny Blair, Associate Dean of Science, University of Winnipeg
The concept of ‘normal’ in climatology defines the range of conditions expected in the near future, based upon the recent past, with the assumption that the recent past is a reasonable approximation of the near future. Thanks to climate change, this assumption of ‘stationarity’ in the climate is no longer valid.
