Fall Update                                                                                      November 19, 2022

Hope you all had a chance to visit the Trail this summer or fall. I find there is something interesting to see in every season. Although the Trail is now closed, you may visit by parking outside the gate and walking in. Please carry out any garbage and let us know if you see any downed trees or vandalism. Stay warm this winter and get outside as much as you can.

News:

If you haven’t been out to the Trail the new picnic shelter and shed are complete and we are looking forward to many years of gatherings there. The Board of Debwendon would like to thank all our donors (public and private) for making this project possible especially in such trying times. A list of donors may be found on our website.

Gull Lake Gravel Pit Issues:

As far as we know to date there have been no decisions made regarding the RM of St. Clements’ proposed gravel pit project south of Stead Road, and according to provincial officials the hold on new quarry lease applications and renewals is still in force.

Debwendon Inc., Native Orchid Conservation Inc., Brokenhead Ojibway Nation and the Gull Lake Ratepayers Association, met in June with the new Assistant Deputy Minister of Stewardship & Resource Development, Natural & Northern Affairs, Jana Schott, at the end of May for a tour of the Trail and gravel pits to make her aware of the major issues of concern. We have not heard anything since (although we have contacted them several times).

As a registered charity we would be pleased if you would remember us in your charitable giving this year in support of the operation of the Trail and our efforts. Please donate on our website via Paypal or credit card. We appreciate everyone who donated over the last year.

If you have any questions, comments, or suggestions, or would like to be added to or removed from our e-list, please send an email and your first and last name to info@debwendon.org.

Debwendon Inc.

November 17, 2021

PICNIC SHELTER AND SHED

We are pleased to announce that our new picnic shelter and shed are now complete. We hope to have many years use of it for tours and outdoor events. We would like to express a HUGE THANK YOU to all of our funders and donors. These include the Winnipeg Foundation, the Selkirk & District Community Foundation, the Manitoba Building Sustainable Communities Grant, the MB-150 Host Committee, Native Orchid Conservation Inc. and other anonymous donors. Our generous funders were extremely understanding and flexible concerning our issues with securing the supplies due to increasing costs and doing a construction project during COVID. We would also like to recognize Keith Neyedly at Kamo Construction, who did such a great job! Keith and Home Hardware in Selkirk also each donated a couple of picnic tables for the new shelter.

 Completed shelter and shed.

DOs and DONT’s when at the trail:

PLEASE STAY ON THE TRAIL AND BOARDWALK: Plants like this Grass-Pink cannot be seen until they emerge in the late spring. The soil may be compacted and their fragile roots damaged. Compaction makes it harder for plants to access air and nutrients and can damage them irreparably. Or, the immature plant may be trampled spoiling its chance to be pollinated and set seed.

Our Instagram page also shows many people climbing trees. This damages the trees and could potentially be a safety hazard if someone fell. Please don’t allow children to climb on the trees. 

DOGS ARE NOT ALLOWED ON THE TRAIL: Despite our many signs saying NO dogs are allowed, Instagram shows many people on the trail with their dogs. Please see a separate blog about why we don’t allow dogs on the trail. Similarly bikes and ATVs are not allowed on the trail.

PHYSICALLY DISTANCING: Please follow Provincial restrictions regarding COVID-19 when on the trail. Since the boardwalk is only 2m wide, please be respectful when passing others. Wear a mask if the trail is busy and physical distancing is difficult. Debwendon wants everyone to have a safe and enjoyable time. Please be respectful of each other, and wash your hands when you get home.

PLEASE DO NOT SMOKE ON THE TRAIL OR BOARDWALK. Risk of fire is high when the environment is dry and would spoil our beautiful forest, fen and wetland! Thanks.

PLEASE DO NOT PARK ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN THE GATE IS CLOSED: During COVID we have told visitors to park outside the gate once the trail is closed for the season. Last spring so many people were visiting the trail that some started parking along both sides of Highway 59. This is extremely dangerous and you do so at your own risk. You also risk getting a ticket from the RCMP when parking on the highway. Please also don’t park in front of the gate.

For more information about the trail please see the Trail page, or download our brochure. 

News

Debwendon Donations

Your donation will help us with operation and maintenance of the Brokenhead Wetland Interpretive Trail Project.  We are a registered Canadian Charity, registration-number 85940 9997 RR0001, and will issue a tax-receipt for your donation. We are an eligible recipient under the 1% For Orchid Conservation initiative.  If your company or society has made the commitment to donate 1% of net revenue toward orchid-conservation then please consider donating that amount to us.

Brokenhead Wetland Ecological Reserve Location

From Winnipeg drive north on PTH 59 past Brokenhead Ojibway Nation. From PR 304 (Stead Road), continue north approximately 2 km – the access is on the west side of the highway. Driving time: approx. 1 hour. Coming from the north on PTH 59, turn right off the highway approximately 500 m south of the PTH 12 intersection. Latitude: 50.407145, Longitude: -96.541003

Photo Credits: Will Milne, Mike James, Brian Kotak, Peggy Bainard Acheson, Ryan Wakshinski, Krystal Panetta, John Dyck and Richard Reeves