2007

A SS I N I BO I N E W AT E R S H E D N E T W O R K

Year in Review The Assiniboine Watershed Network (AWN) is a partnership between the Sturgeon Creek Association, Friends of Bruce Park, and Friends of Omand’s Creek. Each of these partnership groups have been functioning since the mid-1990s restoring and enhancing Sturgeon Creek, Truro Creek, and Omand’s Creek, respectively. In 2004, it was decided to form a larger umbrella organization in order to share resources, information, and knowledge.

Inside: Mandate

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How to get Involved

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Sturgeon Creek

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• Increase and improve access and usability of the lower Assiniboine River and its tributaries for all citizens in a manner that does not degrade or compromise the riparian zones of these waterways.

Omand’s Creek

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• Increase public awareness of the lower Assiniboine watershed environment and issues related to it through education activities and annual community participation events.

Acknowledgements

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• Strengthen relationships with members and the surrounding communities of the lower Assiniboine watershed and create new relationships to build and maintain a vibrant membership.

Truro Creek

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• Act as an advocate and watchdog to ensure that public and private activities are undertaken in a manner that does not threaten or degrade the lower Assiniboine watershed.

Coordinator Change

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Mandate • Preserve, protect, and enhance the lower Assiniboine watershed through plantings, clean-ups, invasive species removal, and engaging in bioengineering projects.

HOW TO GET INVOLVED The Assiniboine Watershed Network’s driving force comes from dedicated community volunteers. Many of the current volunteers have been involved in restoration and enhancement activities along the 3 creeks since the mid-1990s. Needless to say their hard work is appreciated by many. We are always looking for individuals to get involved in our activities. Would you like to contribute to the health of the lower Assiniboine watershed, help improve the quality of water that flows through our neighbourhoods, into our rivers and ends up in Lake Winnipeg? Do you have expertise in a field related to AWN’s mandate? Do you only have a couple of hours to contribute in the summer months or can you bring your ideas to a board meeting once a month? If you know you can help please contact AWN’s coordinator: [email protected] or (204)986-7235

S t u r g e o n C r e e k

SUMMIT ROAD RESTORATION SITE The Sturgeon Creek Tall Grass Prairie and Riparian Zone Restoration Project will restore 20 acres of former agricultural land into native tall grass prairie. AWN has contracted Native Plant Solutions, experts in ecological restorations, to transform this land. After 2 years of site preparation the area is now ready to be seeded with prairie grasses in 2008. The site will then be maintained by Native Plant Solutions through 2009 to ensure successful establishment of the prairie. This site is of particular importance as eastern loggerhead shrikes are nesting and hunting in the area. Eastern loggerhead shrikes are in danger of extirpation from their range in Canada. The habitat being restored will benefit these shrikes providing them with important hunting grounds. In addition, the upland areas of Sturgeon Creek just south of the prairie restoration have been planted with hawthorn and buffaloberry. Once established these thorny species can be used by shrikes for impaling their prey and for nesting. Along with the prairie restoration AWN is restoring the riparian zone of Sturgeon Creek. This reach of Sturgeon Creek is completely devoid of native riparian vegetation. Hundreds of trees have been planted in the past 2 years with help from the Girl Guides of Canada, Westwood Collegiate, and 2 community plantings.

Sturgeon Creek— west of Summit Road

Tree planting demonstration

ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION This past September, AWN was able to complete the 3rd year of partnering with Westwood Collegiate. This year we were able to plant 140 trees along Sturgeon Creek. Students also were able to participate in informative creek hikes highlighting the important features of a healthy riparian ecosystem. The fish sampling demonstration showed students the diversity and size of fish in Sturgeon Creek. They were quite surprised that the creek was home to wildlife. However, the creek clean-up provided the most eye-opening experience for the students. After pulling out a television, a picnic table, a VCR, and a couch out of the creek the students were amazed at how others perceive and treat the creek. The ultimate goal of these activities is to help change perception of Sturgeon and other urban creeks. AWN will work with Westwood Collegiate in 2008 and plans are in the works to partner with two additional schools. Currently, AWN is working on obtaining funding towards the establishment of an Adopt a Creek program.

2007 HIGHLIGHTS The naturalization of Sturgeon Creek began in the early 1990s. Many years later, the creek is in various stages of naturalization—from areas with native vegetation to areas dominated by invasive species. AWN continues to remove invasive species, plant native trees and shrubs, and organize clean-ups to increase the rate of naturalization and to promote the creek as viable habitat. Invasive Species Removal - AWN organized a “Thistle Party” in July which resulted in the removal of over 60 garbage bags full of Canada Thistle from an area along the north bank of Sturgeon Creek east of Woodhaven Boulevard. The extremely hot temperatures and humidity did not seem to hamper the efforts of participants. Results from this event were fantastic with very little of the thistle returning and aesthetically the weed removal was appreciated by area residents. AWN will continue to remove thistle and other invasive species within the no-mow zones along Sturgeon and other creeks. Tree Planting - With help from the City of Winnipeg Naturalist Services Branch almost 750 trees were planted along the banks of Sturgeon Creek. Most of these trees were bare-root stock planted with mulch blankets to inhibit weed growth and help retain soil moisture. Some of the planting sites were chosen to help protect the bank from spring flooding.

One of the many piles of Canada thistle

O m a n d’ s C r e e k

2007 HIGHLIGHTS A highly urbanized creek within the City of Winnipeg, Omand’s Creek is subjected to many negative impacts based on its location. Activities this year focused on invasive species removal. One area of focus was Bluestem Park, a small nature park running along the east side of Empress Street. Within this park, a prairie transplant was completed many years ago and many beautiful examples of native tall grass prairie plants are showcased. AWN worked this year to remove invasive species from the park increasing the visibility of native species. As well, invasive species such as Purple Loosestrife are still quite common along Omand’s Creek. The AWN coordinator and her Green Team spent many hours walking the creek and removing stands of loosestrife to prevent further spread. A tree planting event was held north of Notre Dame Avenue. Red River College raised enough funds to purchase 300 trees along the east bank of Omand’s Creek. Along with the City of Winnipeg Naturalist Services Branch, AWN complemented this planting with trees from Naturalist Branch’s nursery and in total 427 trees were planted.

Bluestem Park

Omand’s Creek—Westview Park Parking Lot to Prairie

FUTURE GOALS AND ACTIVITIES Bluestem Park Revitalization Bluestem Park is a small nature park located near Polo Park. The park is home to a tall grass prairie transplant located in the northern portion of the park and it features many beautiful representatives of Manitoba’s native tall grass prairie. Other species of native vegetation have also been planted in the park over the years, visitors to the park will notice western snowberry, a variety of rose species, and milkweed, host to monarch butterfly larvae. Just south of the park a former parking lot donated from the Province of Manitoba to the City of Winnipeg is currently being converted to prairie by Native Plant Solutions. AWN will organize and implement enhancement and awareness activities for Bluestem Park in 2008. Some areas have problems with invasive species, there are graffiti issues and the park is not well-known. This winter AWN will begin preparation for enhancement and revitalization activities in Bluestem Park. The project aims to increase species diversity by planting native trees, shrubs, and herbaceous vegetation, removal of invasive species and graffiti, and be the location of community clean-ups and environmental education activities with local schools. There are also plans to research and design interpretive signage for the park.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS In the past year, AWN has received funding and support from many sources in order to achieve our goals. We would like to acknowledge: Charleswood Rotary Club City of Winnipeg Naturalist Services Branch Department of Fisheries and Oceans—Stewardship in Action Environment Canada—EcoAction Manitoba Conservation — Sustainable Development Innovations Fund Manitoba Education, Citizenship, and Youth—Urban Green Team Mountain Equipment Co-op Unilever-Evergreen Aquatic Stewardship Grant Young Canada Works

T r u r o C r e e k

2007 HIGHLIGHTS Activities this year along Truro Creek focused on invasive species removal in Bruce Park with large stands of Canada thistle and burdock being removed from the no-mow zones. In total about 30 garbage bags of invasive were removed this summer. As well, AWN was able to plant 400 trees within the now-mow zones in Truro and Bruce Parks. A variety of bare-root trees were planted in order to increase the species diversity seen in the parks. As well, planting trees now will ensure that when the older trees are gone there will be others to replace them in the future.

Truro Creek—south of Portage Avenue

Truro Creek—riffles Bruce Park

FUTURE GOALS Bruce Park Enhancement - Bruce Park, located south of Portage Avenue is home to a diversity of plant and animal life and is a much appreciated and utilised park in Winnipeg. In 2007, the City of Winnipeg completed upgrades to the well-worn pathways. Plans for 2008 include upgrading the front entrance to the park, in particular the front pillars and improving accessibility to the park. Additions such as benches, picnic tables, and garbage cans will also be included in the plan for Bruce Park and tree plantings will complement the upgrades. Riffle Adjustments - Riffles are an important component to stream habitat, helping to oxygenate water and are used by fish for spawning. Riffles also create an upstream back-up of water creating a pool where adult fish feed and live. Riffles along Truro Creek were installed in the 1990s. However, over the years the rocks in some of the riffles in Truro Creek have shifted and are now contributing to stream bank erosion. AWN will solicit funding in 2008 to have the riffles adjusted along Truro Creek.

COORDINATOR CHANGE This year after almost three years of hard work, Mike Quigley, AWN’s first coordinator, moved on to a job with the City of Winnipeg Naturalist Services Branch as the Education Coordinator for the Assiniboine Forest. He will be taking his many skills and acquired knowledge to his new job with the City. Luckily, Mike was available to aid in the transition process for the new coordinator. AWN welcomed a new coordinator in May, Kristin Tuchscherer. Recently returned from teaching biology in Mexico she brings a Masters degree in Zoology to the position. She enjoys her new position and the challenges and rewards it brings everyday.

Assiniboine Watershed Network c/o 5006 Roblin Blvd. Winnipeg, MB R3R 0G7 Tel: 204-986-7235 Fax: 204-986-7236