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.
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.
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.
Brian Joynt, Wildlife Manager, Central Region, Manitoba Conservation
Many wildlife species take advantage of the urban environment. Depending on individual perspectives and the species involved, urban wildlife can provide residents either tremendous enjoyment or incredible frustration, sometimes both!
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.
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.
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.
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.
Our “members’ night” presentations have moved from the December program to our Annual General Meeting in March. So let us know if you want to contribute – we’re looking for two or three 20-minute presentations on nature-related topics. Travelogues should have a strong nature component, please!
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.
Darryl Hedman’s presentation will focus on polar bear ecology as it relates to Churchill and Manitoba, the Polar Bear Alert program, and bear safety recommendations. Of the 19 sub-populations of polar bears, 13 of them are in Canada. Manitoba Conservation has surveyed polar bears in September since 1969. During the surveys, bear numbers are recorded as well as body condition and location.
Marilyn Peckett (Superintendent, Manitoba Field Unit, Parks Canada Agency)
Join Marilyn Peckett as she shares the charms and challenges of managing two different national parks. Separated by 90 years of history and two provinces apart, Elk Island and Wapusk provide valuable habitat for two of our country’s magnificent species at risk: the Wood Bison and Polar Bear.
