Pedal power pushes wetlands conservation drive

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This article was published 20/07/2023 (1171 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Seventy cyclists are getting ready to Ride to the Lake to help save wetlands.

“I believe in the cause… We only have one environment,” said Brad Fedorchuk, a longtime participant of the annual 220-kilometre, Winnipeg to Kenora, Ont., fundraising campaign.

“There are very few environmental organizations that do shovels in the ground habitat restoration work. (Ducks Unlimited) actually makes a difference.”

Kevin McFadden, co-founder of Ride to the Lake and a Manitoba board member of supporting organization Ducks Unlimited, explained local wetlands work as a filtration system for the water that flows into Lake Winnipeg, as well as lakes across North America. Wetlands are also vital habitat for waterfowl and various species of mammals, such as beavers, muskrats, and foxes.

McFadden said the idea came to him seven years ago, at his cottage in Kenora, Ont., on an outing with friend (and Ride to the Lake co-founder) Pat O’Connor.

“I had just started cycling at that time, and I was looking for a challenge,” McFadden said.

Thinking of cycling to his cottage from Winnipeg, McFadden decided if he was going to go ahead with the idea, he may as well see if he could turn it into a fundraising campaign as well.

There were 13 riders the first year, and they raised $20,000.

Since then, the campaign has grown. In 2022, there were 50 riders and they raised $360,000.

All money raised goes toward wetlands conservation, the main cause supported by Ducks Unlimited Canada.

This year, there are 50 riders scheduled to do the entire 220-km trail, but the campaign has added the options of a 120-km ride or 60 km, bringing the total number of cyclists participating to 70.

McFadden hopes to raise $400,000 this year, in Duck Unlimited’s largest national fundraiser.

An avid outdoorsman who frequently spends time in rural Manitoba, Fedorchuk said he can see the results of Duck’s Unlimited’s work on the ground.

“When you see it first hand, and you see the habitat restoration they’ve done… seeing is believing.”

In addition to the cause, Fedorchuk said he enjoys the social aspect of Ride to the Lake as well, with plenty of opportunities to meet new people of varied backgrounds.

He also enjoys the beautiful scenery, adding there’s also a sense of accomplishment.

“How many people can say they’ve rode 220 km in a day?” Fedorchuk said. “It feels great.”

The fundraiser works according to a “peer-to-peer” platform. People register to participate and then ask for donations by linking people to their funding page.

In addition to the peer-to-peer donations, the campaign receives donations directly from corporate sponsors, among them: title sponsor Canada Life, Qualico, Parrish & Heimbecker, Johnston Group, and Talbot Family Foundation.

Each participant pays a $300 registration fee, which covers a jersey, as well as food, water and emergency medical services on the run. Support vehicles are also deployed.

The ride will begin Friday at 5 a.m. at 1 Dr. David Friesen Dr. in Winnipeg, stop at Alfred Hole Goose Sanctuary for lunch, and conclude at the Whitecap Pavilion in Kenora at approximately 3 p.m.

graham.mcdonald@freepress.mb.ca