Community Projects
Through community projects that promote environmental awareness, we encourage everyone to become stewards of the environment. Our team is committed to upholding environmental regulations and policies while promoting education and sound practices. By joining us, you can help make a difference in the quality of our environment today and for generations to come.
Restoration of grassland bird habitat in the mixed grass prairie Manitoba
This is a multi-year Habitat Stewardship Program Species at Risk project with a primarily focus on habitat improvement of grassland bird habitat in southwestern Manitoba. The project will commence in April of 2019 within the Mixed-Grass Prairie Manitoba (Prairie Region) level 1 priority place. There are four species at risk that will be targeted for this project: Chestnut- collared Longspur (Calcarius ornatus), Bobolink (Dolichonyx oryzivorus), Bairds Sparrow (Ammodramus bairdii), and Spragues’s Pipit (Anthus spragueii). One threat facing these species is the encroachment of wood vegetation specifically Western Snowberry (Symphoricarpos occidentalis) which degrades their nesting habitat. The project activities will include selecting sites totaling 130 hectares of native prairie that are currently grazed by livestock throughout the study area. The Western Snowberry will be treated using a shrub mower or herbicide treatment during the month of August in 2019, 2020 and 2021. The mechanical and herbicide treatment will reduce the density and canopy of the Western Snowberry and will directly improve the habitat of the species at risk and increase the density of native grasses and plants.
Optimized design of surface water retention in the East Souris River Watershed
This project will enhance the flood/drought resiliency of the East Souris River Watershed through an evaluation of surface water retention strategies and optimal location of water retention structures and an assessment of how soil health and carbon sequestration can potentially improve hydrologic resiliency. Project will employ an integrated groundwater-surface water modeling analysis to characterize how the agricultural landscape, soil, and groundwater interact during extreme hydrologic events.
Hellman’s Cross-Country Ski Trail
Souris River Watershed District and Manitoba Sustainable Development staff recently installed trail head sign and trail markers at Hellman’s Cross Country Ski Trail. This property is open to the public for Cross Country skiing and snowshoeing only. No motorized vehicles allowed. This property is privately owned so please respect landowners rights. The trail is located in the RM of Sifton on Municipal road 150W and 53N.
Sampling for Chronic Wasting Disease
For more information please visit Chronic Wasting Disease in Manitoba. Samples can be dropped off at our office located in Reston.
