A variety of projects are underway in the Red River region. These include the preservation of special lands for conservation, the construction of river access wharfs and boat launches and the promotion of existing tourism opportunities through self-directed tours and travel packages.
Here’s what’s happening at Rivers West!
Project Development
Product Development and Marketing
Under the brand name Routes on the Red, Rivers West offers several themed tour options. Check out the popular “Arts and Culture" booklet for ideas on Routes on the Red self-directed tours, available at www.routesonthered.ca. Tours include:
- Gabrielle Roy (also available in French)
- Galleries and Museums of the Red River Valley
- Carol Shields’ Manitoba
- Art, Antiques and Architecture in Winnipeg’s Historic Exchange District
- Then and Now Photographic Tour (under development)
- Fictional Winnipeg – Murder Mystery Tour
- Also adding an additional tour to the Nature and First Nations tour - Prehistoric Prairies
- Water Routes of the Red
Access and Infrastructure
- An innovative approach to an endemic Manitoba situation,
- Educational opportunities in every grade curriculum,
- Broader outreach opportunities into the community as a whole,
- Presenting a sustainability alternative,
- A far more environmentally conscious approach,
- And by developing a socially responsible solution.
PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - June 28, 2010
Rod Bruinooge, MP Announces Environment Canada Funding for INNOVATIVE ENVIRONMENTAL DRAINAGE PROJECT
Winnipeg, Manitoba – Rod Bruinooge, MP for Winnipeg South, on behalf of Canada's Environment Minister, the Honourable Jim Prentice, today announced Lake Water Basin Stewardship funding for an environmental drainage project in Winnipeg South.
Environment Canada is investing an additional $ 46,014 to support Down the Drain - A Demonstration Landscape; Using Plants and Natural Systems to Clean our Water through the Lake Winnipeg Basic Stewardship Fund . This is on top of $76,499 of federal funds already invested through Recreational Infrastructure Canada. The total project value is $426,614.
"It is exciting to see the community come together to make this project happen,” said MP Bruinooge. “The federal government is pleased to support a worthwhile project such as Down the Drain because it directly addresses environmental concerns such as the water quality in Lake Winnipeg."
"We are proud to support community groups in the Winnipeg as well as across Manitoba willing to take concrete action through on-the-ground environmental projects that will achieve a more sustainable Canada," said Minister Prentice.
The Down the Drain project makes critical improvements to the drainage of recreational grounds used by the Richmond Kings Community Centre, École St. Avila school and the surrounding community in an innovative and environment-friendly manner. Rivers West Red River Corridor Inc., a not for profit organization works with stakeholders and citizens to promote and sustain the cultural, heritage, natural and recreational values of the Red River in the Lake Winnipeg Watershed.
"We are thrilled to be working in partnership with Ecole St. Avila and so many notable organizations who are focused on water conservation. Ecole St. Avila's rain garden project is a very innovative and ecological approach to drainage. In addition to supporting construction of the rain garden, we look forward to developing bilingual rain garden educational resources for students, teachers and the community," said Penny McMillan, Chair, Rivers West - Red River Corridor Inc.
The bioretention system being developed in the design of a raingarden will reduce nutrient loading to the Lake Winnipeg watershed. Visitors will be able to observe and learn about the technology used and the benefits it brings to the Lake Winnipeg watershed.
As a first-in-Winnipeg project, this site will serve as an excellent example for replication of technology on other properties.
Work is expected to begin immediately and be completed by the end of November 2010.
Partners include, The Government of Canada,The Province of Manitoba, City of Winnipeg, Ecole St. Avila, Agassiz Child Care Centre, Ecole St. Avila Home and School Association, Ecole St. Avila School Age Child Care, Pembina Trails School Division, Royal Bank of Canada, Seine Rat River Conservation District, Toronto Dominion Bank, Lake Winnipeg Foundation, Winnipeg Foundation, La Salle River Conservation District, Manitoba Hydro, Evergreen Canada, Toyota-Evergreen, Wal-Mart, Scatliff Millar Murray Landscape Architects, Douglas Little Photography, J.Lukes Fund Development, University of Manitoba.
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For additional information, contact:
Myrrhanda Novak
Director of Communications
Office of Rod Bruinooge, MP
Tel: 204.984.6787
Fax: 204.984.6792
Conservation and Greenway Activities
Participated as the Manitoba representative in a meeting of the Greenway on the Red Board as well as a meeting of the Greenway on the Red Technical committee.
Coordinated the activities and initiatives of the Red River Floodway Trail Coalition, a coalition of approximately 40 recreational and other stakeholder organizations that are advocating the development of a recreational greenway along the expanded floodway. This work is being done in close cooperation with the Manitoba Floodway Expansion Authority. Activities in this area have focused on the following:
- Development of a conceptual plan for the recreational use of the floodway.
- Development of a Memorandum of Understanding to formalize stakeholder participation in the coalition (approximately 40 groups have signed to date).
- Presented to the Clean Environment Commission hearings as a funded intervener in February on the Floodway Expansion Project.
- Set up a project steering committee with representatives from government, municipalities and various stakeholder groups.
- Made presentations to the NDP caucus and Conservative caucus.
- Submitted a proposal to the Canada/Manitoba Economic Partnership Agreement to support consultations with stakeholders regarding greenway development along the Floodway.
- Participant of the oppotrtunities working group working with the Manitoba Floodway Authority to draft the concept plan.
Support provided to Operation Clean-up annually, with promotional assitance provided for the 10th anniversary event.
DUFF ROBLIN PARK - ST. NORBERT DEVELOPMENT PROJECT
PDF Duff Roblin Park
Cultural/heritage preservation
Rivers West was successful in their efforts to achieve designation of the Red River as a Canadian heritage river system. The nomination document (19MB) and management plan were completed to allow designation that coincided with Rivers West who hosted the 5th Canadian River Heritage Conferrence, in June 2007. Included in our activities have been the following:
- Presentations to all municipalities as well as to various stakeholder groups along the Red River explaining the program and what the designation of the Red River means;
- Sent letters to various stakeholder groups, municipal, provincial and federal politicians asking for their written support of the nomination process (to date over 50 responses have been received)
- Hosted four open houses where information on the nomination was provided to the public.
- Prepared material for distribution to the public summarizing the process and what the designation means.
- Prepared the nomination document and management plan
- Hosted the CHRS Conference, Current Perspectives, in Winnipeg June 2007 roceedings from the 2007 Current Perspective conference
- Development of a CHRS conference planning manual
- Implemented the recommendations of the Red River Management Plan (7Mb)
Learn more about Canadian Heritage River Systems at www.chrs.ca.
