Prairie habitat in Elmwood

Elmwood

Snow on the ground and sub-freezing temperatures can make spring seem very far away. Soon, however, residents of Elmwood and beyond will want to start thinking about natural habitats, pollinators that keep our food systems functioning, and how to restore what has been lost, as is being done on the Northeast Pioneers Greenway.

This greenway is a walking and cycling trail beginning in Elmwood and continuing through East and North Kildonan, with plans to extend it to Birds Hill Park. The trail follows the former Marconi Spur rail line with remnants of tall-grass prairie, wetlands, and river bottom forest.

“Native prairie habitat thrives along the NPG, providing homes for birds and insects,” according to the Winnipeg Trails Association website, at winnipegtrails.ca.

A section of the Northeast Pioneers Greenway pays tribute to butterflies while, elsewhere along the path, people can learn about an ongoing prairie restoration project. In warmer weather, flowers grow and provide food for the pollinators which, in turn, help provide food for Manitobans.

The Canadian Wildlife Federation’s website notes that “habitat loss, pesticide use, and pollution are endangering bees and butterflies across Canada.” The Northeast Pioneers Greenway pays tribute to some of these pollinators with a massive statue of a butterfly located near Concordia Avenue.

The artwork for the display was done by Denise Prefontaine and the Kildonan East Collegiate Girls’ Club. Participants ranging in age from three to 105 worked “side by side, sharing and connecting in the process.” The giant butterfly now helps raise awareness of the need for more gardens with plants that encourage pollinators and provide them with the opportunity to gather and spread pollen far and wide.

Many of the special features of the Northeast Pioneers Greenway are technically beyond Elmwood, however, each section of the path affects the others. The residents of Elmwood could do their part to encourage pollinators in the area with gardens and green spaces in their own yards.

Snow and cold weather might discourage people from thinking about gardening, but advance planning can help to make the process easier. Gardening books in library collections are always good resources, and local garden centres or government websites are also useful sources of information. With more gardens and wild spaces, residents of Elmwood could help Winnipeg bloom.