Get your feet wet unraveling the mysteries of the marsh


Rene Conte


ak Hammock Marsh may be on a birder's list of must stop places in Manitoba; it should be on your list, too. A short drive north from Winnipeg will bring you to a wetland wonderland. Relish in the marvels of a whole new world. Sure


O


you've seen cattails on the side of the road and maybe even caught tadpoles as a kid, but you likely haven't seen the beauty and intricate details of a wetland eco- system like this before. Friendly staff are like walking encyclopedia's bursting with fun facts about the oddi- ties of the marsh and its inhabitants. Meet the usual suspects but learn what makes them unusual. Do you know the difference between dippers and divers? Do you know how many parts of a cattail can you eat? Come explore. Take one of the various tours or pre- sentations offered and you'll be amazed at what you learn.


The centre is about learning through interaction, and in addition to interacting outdoors visitors are welcome to wander through either of the two large discovery rooms. Meet some of the marsh inhabit- ants up close, see how wetlands prevent flooding, or learn how different beaks are suited to catch different treats. Kids will revel in the countless activities offered inside. A trip to the roof offers a bird's-eye view of the magnificent wetlands, and if you're hungry stop by the restaurant, where all meals come equipped with a set of binoculars and one heck of a view. This is where the migration dinners are held in the fall. Just imagine sitting down to a wholesome prairie meal while thou- sands of birds come to rest for the evening. Of course enjoying the wetlands up close is why you came and with more than 30 kilometres of trails, you


An aerial view of Oak Hammock Marsh and it's Interpretive Centre. Photo courtesy of Oak Hammock Marsh.


just need your water bottle, camera and a little time to explore. Go on your own or schedule a tour. From tall cattails and reeds of the prairie marsh to a woodsy aspen-oak bluff, artesian springs and the tall grass prai- rie, there is so much to see and do. Tour the marsh in a voyageur-style canoe while your guide points out the highlights along the way. Just be prepared to work up a sweat, you'll be paddling too as you see the marsh from a brand new vantage point. Don't leave before you try your hand at critter dip-


(and flag emblem), the majestic maple. Of the 150 species of maples found around the world, only 10 are native to Canada, yet it is the tree most identi- fied with our great nation. Maples grow throughout Canada except in northern regions.


The 10 species of maple trees native to Canada have been growing here well be- fore our country was discovered by Eu- ropean settlers. The trees have adapted to local conditions and are much like our nation itself; diverse, hardy and beauti- ful. Part of the genus Acer, they are also well known for their glorious fall foliage. While the maple leaf may have been a symbol representative of Canada well before the country’s confederation in 1867, it wasn’t until 1965 that the ma- ple tree was officially chosen as our na- tional arboreal emblem and its bold red leaf placed on our flag. The maple leaf emblem was used throughout Canada’s early history by several associations, set on provincial and national (1921) coat of arms and on the Royal Canadian 100th Regiment badge. It was lauded by Jacques Viger, the first mayor of Montreal as, “the symbol of the Cana- dian people,” and used prolifically in decorations when the Commonwealth


Maple trees forever W


Tania Moffat


ith the sesquicentennial upon us, it seemed pertinent to write about our national tree


Our native trees


Maple trees have become acclimatized to various growing conditions; from wet to dry and even clay soils. They are coveted as shade and specimen trees in gardens and for boulevard plantings for both their beauty and tolerance for drought. Maples are available in a vari- ety of sizes, shapes and colours and are renowned for their colour in the autumn garden. Leaves of orange, yellow, brown and red put on a dazzling display of co- lour, often all on the same tree. There are two types of maples classi-


fied by bark type: hard and soft. Hard maples grow slowly and live longer; specimens include the black and sugar maple. Soft wooded trees such as red and silver maples grow rapidly and therefore produce a softer word. Soft wood maples are more susceptible to rot and broken branches as they mature.


ping. A net in one hand and bucket in the other will bring you back to the days of your youth. What will you scoop out of the marsh? A damselfly, tadpole, leech or freshwater shrimp. There are many different critters living in the marsh; pick out the coolest ones and bring them inside to inspect under a microscope that displays them on two large TV screens. Now that is cool!


We dare you to leave without learning something new and having fun to boot.


welcomed the Prince of Wales in 1860. The Maple Leaf Forever, our first an- them, was penned in 1867 and the leaf appeared on all of Canada’s coins. Sadly, that tradition has passed since the penny retired in 2012. However, today it can be found on our paper bills. The maple leaf has become embedded in our cul- ture, a symbol of Canada and its people. It is proudly displayed on military equip- ment, on the uniforms used to identify our athletes at the Olympics and is worn by Canadians everywhere, at home and abroad, as a symbol of our Canadian pride.


Foliage of the mountain maple. Photo by Mason Brock. Identification


Maple leaves are generally easy to spot but do vary by species. Deciduous leaves, set opposite each other on the branch, are divided into three, five or seven tapered and pointed lobes. Some leaves have small indented lobes while others, like the Manitoba maple, are so deeply indented they look like three individual leaves. Leaf shape and bark can help in tree identifica- tion. Maples do tend to be a tad promis- cuous and can form hybrids in the wild, sometimes making it difficult to pin down an exact ID. Pollen and seed flowers vary, one tree


can have as many as three types of flowers. Flowers appear early in the spring either before or at the same time as the leaves be- gin to bud. They are pollinated by insects or the wind. If you are lucky enough to have a maple tree nearby, you can hear the busy buzz of pollinators in early spring as


they flock to one of spring’s first flowers. Perhaps the most recognizable trait of maple trees is their winged fruits or sa- maras, which are commonly referred to as keys. Each samara contains a seed which is dispersed by the wind when they are ripe. They are beautiful to watch as they helicopter down from the branches, swirl- ing and twirling on the wind.


Greenhouses offer a variety of cultivars, from the dainty Japanese maple to the Amur maple with its bright red samaras developed here in Canada. Should you happen upon a specimen you adore, ma- ples are also easily grown from cuttings or seed.


Rather than one particular species, the


entire Acer genus was chosen to represent our multicultural nation, and with the ma- ple leaf on our flag, there could not have been a more obvious choice for Canada’s national tree.


Home delivery available* Install services available*


BE READY–WE MAY CARD YOU FIRST TUESDAY OF EVERY MONTH 8 www.lifestyles55.net


Express checkout for seniors Complimentary refreshments White glove shopping assistance* *See store for details


775 Panet Rd • 204.663.7389 visit Rona.ca


August 2017


10% OFF FOR CUSTOMERS 55+


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16