A Year in Review 2008 Mandate The Assiniboine Watershed Network is a non-profit, volunteer based organization which was formed as a partnership between three existing organizations— namely Sturgeon Creek Association, Friends of Bruce Park and Friends of Omand’s Creek. The organization was formed in 2004 as a way to bring together ideas, resources and knowledge. Mandate • Preserve, protect, and enhance the lower Assiniboine watershed. • 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. • Increase public awareness of the lower Assiniboine watershed environment and issues related to it through education activities and annual community participation events. • Strengthen relationships with members and the surrounding communities of the lower Assiniboine watershed and create new relationships to build and maintain a vibrant membership. • 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.

Inside: Mandate

1

Volunteer Report 1 Sturgeon Creek

2

Truro Creek

3

Omand’s Creek

4

Adopt a Creek

2

Looking Forward

3

Acknowledgments 4 Volunteer Report

The Assiniboine Watershed Network could not be what it is today without the dedication of its volunteers. We would like to extend a sincere thank-you to all community members who came out during the short summer months. Your efforts in native tree and flower planting, weed removal, stucco-wiring trees for beaver protection and creek cleanups have helped us achieve our goals. Please keep your eyes open for notices of several exciting volunteer opportunities in 2009. For more information on these events you can call AWN at 986-7235 or email [email protected]

Grants Old Mill Grants Old Mill preserves the history of St. James, in a working version of the first watermill that was originally built in 1829 by Cuthbert Grant and is a part of the Assiniboine watershed history. This was the site of our first Sturgeon Creek Field Day held to celebrate International Trails Day on June 7th. This gave families an opportunity to explore the mill and be involved in some environmental education activities which included a habitat creek hike by Mike Quigley, former AWN coordinator, as well as games such as ‘macroinvertebrate bingo’ and ‘test your wingspan’. Throughout the summer, Greenteam members worked at the site to help remove invasive species and maintain trees that were planted in 2006 and 2007, to help protect the natural heritage of the area.

Woodhaven Boulevard The portion of Sturgeon Creek along Woodhaven Boulevard was host to the Assiniboine Watershed Network’s Greenteam Thistle Party. Greenteams from around the city, resulting in a crew of 25, came together to pull over 100 bags of Canada Thistle from the east bank of Sturgeon Creek. Westwood Collegiate also helped remove Canada Thistle and planted new native species—Manitoba Maple and Green Ash—in there place. The AWN Greenteam also planted new Dogwood trees along the path and maintained plantings from previous years throughout the summer.

Down the Creek With the completion of the Hamilton Bridge Restoration Project, AWN was asked to help restore the native vegetation by planting Sandbar Willow into the exposed soil. AWN also worked with the 1st Crestview Scouts who planted 120 trees along the west bank between Ness and Hamilton. AWN’s partnership with the Manitoba Council of Girl Guides of Canada was continued for their 3rd Annual Earth Challenge, where 300 Girl Guides gathered to plant 1200 trees at St. James Optimist park along the east bank of Sturgeon Creek. We look forward to continuing with these partnerships into 2009.

Part of Assiniboine Watershed Network’s goals is to educate the public on the importance of the vital areas surrounding the creeks which drain into the Assiniboine River. As AWN is a small, non-profit organization we rely on the public for help, through volunteer time, in restoration and maintenance of the creeks and areas surrounding them. It is with these two things in mind, that we have created the Assiniboine Watershed Network’s Adopt-a-Creek Program. With this program community groups, schools and businesses are offered the opportunity to give back to the community by helping in environmental stewardship efforts on the creek of their choice and in exchange for their contribution are provided environmental education on a variety of topics. This program was launched in 2008 and has thus far resulted in eight partnerships with very enthusiastic organizations.

Creek Adoptees - St. James Collegiate -1st Crestview Scouts - Isaac Brock School - St. James Collegiate - Daniel Macintyre Collegiate Institute - Girl Guides of Canada– Manitoba Council - Portage Avenue Church - Westwood Collegiate Thanks to all the groups for their fantastic work this year!

Link to the Past—Bruce Park Bruce Park is a popular destination for many community residents. Many people are not aware of the rich cultural and natural history this park contains. Several events took place over the spring, summer and fall of 2008 that helped protect the natural areas while promoting the historical significance of the park. In August, community volunteers gathered to help us remove approximately 75 bags of invasive weeds from the west bank of Truro Creek. AWN partnered with Diageo, who spent a day pulling Canada Thistle, planting native species in the riparian areas along Truro Creek and wrapping trees with stucco wire to protect beaver damage. A grade nine class from St. James Collegiate participated in a informative creek hike which discussed the restorative measures we have taken as well as the history of how Bruce Park came to belong to the City of Winnipeg. Greenteam members also aided the restoration by removing several dozen bags of invasive weeds during the summer and planting young Oak trees, to help ensure succession of the magnificent Oaks that exist there today.

Community Involvement In August AWN hosted their first ever community thistle removal party in Bruce Park. We were overwhelmed by the positive turnout of community members of all ages and abilities! The effects of our efforts were immediately noticeable, as Canada Thistle was removed to expose native flowers. As part of AWN’s mandate to develop positive relationships with members of the surrounding community, we produced a community survey that was distributed to 300 citizens who lived in the Truro Creek vicinity. The survey asked what people who used Bruce Park would like to see in the park. We appreciated the responses that we received and look forward to continuing our efforts with the guidance of the community.

The Beavers of Truro Creek Truro Creek, although small, contains vital habitat for both plants and animals. Anyone who has walked down Truro Creek, from Ness to the airport will see the evidence! Beaver eaten trees are the first thing you might see and there are lots of them! We do our best to provide them a habitat in which they are sustainable, but their appetites are hard to keep up with! AWN worked tirelessly over the Summer and Fall, with the City of Winnipeg Naturalist Services, to wrap trees which are vital to supporting the creek banks, with stucco wire to prevent beavers from removing them. We were not able to save them all but we tried our best and will continue to monitor the creeks for beaver activity.

The Assiniboine Watershed Network is constantly changing and growing. In 2008, we received our Incorporated status and look forward to developing a strategic plan for the future of the organization, which will focus on developing a larger volunteer base and a working group for each of the creeks. Events are being planned for 2009 to draw more people to the creeks, including Field Days on Sturgeon, Truro and Omand’s Creeks which will consist of environmental education games and activities, creek hikes and refreshments. We will be holding our first annual general meeting, to fulfill our commitments to our bylaws as outlined in our Incorporation as well we hope to hold a launch party to celebrate our new website, which will begin construction in the new year. The year 2009 is looking to be a very exciting one for the Assiniboine Watershed Network!

Prairie Jewel—Bluestem Park It is hard to believe that just a short time ago, the area we now call Bluestem Park, full of biodiversity and beauty, was a parking lot for the Velo-drome. Bluestem Park is a true testament to the power of concerned community members coming together to protect our vital waterways. Bluestem Park was busy throughout the summer of 2008. With a dedicated Greenteam provided from Première Personnel, who worked throughout the summer months removing garbage (especially after Bomber games), pulling weeds and maintaining plantings. AWN worked with several groups to help increase the biodiversity of the park, including Diageo, Elmwood High School and volunteer community members. Several fruit-bearing shrubs, such as High Bush Cranberry and Saskatoon, were planted to encourage more birds to come to the area. The five limestone planters along the trail closest to Empress, as well as the two raised large planters, were planted with 300 native flowers and grasses spanning eighteen species varieties, including Wild Bergamot, Big Bluestem, Canada Wild Rye and Culver’s Root. The new additions are thriving in their environment and sightings of garter snakes and frogs have been reported, an indication that our work has provided successful results! A new interpretive sign is being developed to place in the park, at the trail entrance closest to Kelsey’s. This sign will detail the rich history of Omand’s Creek and Bluestem Park. We hope that everyone will take a moment to read the new sign and appreciate the beauty of the area. An extension to Bluestem Park is underway in a former parking lot at the southern tip of the park. Initial seeding took place during the summer 2008 and AWN looks forward to helping establish an eco-system on this site. Thank you to everyone who contributed to the health of this beautiful park! We look forward to seeing you again and working together to further enhance the diversity and addressing further water quality issues along Omand’s Creek.

The Assiniboine Watershed Network would like to extend a special thanks to all our contributing partners and financial supporters. • City of Winnipeg Naturalist Services Branch • Department of Fisheries and Ocean—Stewardship in Action • Environment Canada—Eco-Action • Manitoba Education, Citizenship and Youth—Urban Greenteam • Première Personnel • Manitoba Conservation—Sustainable Development Innovations Fund • Unilever Evergreen—Aquatic Stewardship Grant • Manitoba Hydro • Manitoba Water Stewardship—Fisheries Enhancement Fund • Shell Environment Fund