Assiniboine Park a model for green parks

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This article was published 17/10/2016 (3466 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

It might not be easy being green, but the Assiniboine Park Conservancy (APC) says it’s the only way to encourage others to do the same.

APC was recently honoured with a Manitoba Tourism award for its sustainable operational and interpretive programs.

APC marketing and communications manager Laura Curtis says the park’s exhibits and attractions are run with conservation and sustainability in mind and that it also works to be sustainable behind the scenes.

“There are a lot of things operationally that we do because we want to lead by example,” Curtis said.

“The water filtration system (in the Journey to Churchill polar bear exhibit) is not dependent on the use of chemicals so it eliminates by-products and residue and provides a healthier aquatic environment for the polar bears and seals, and uses less water to do that.”

What visitors do see are the interactive activities in the Leatherdale International Polar Bear Conservation Centre.

“It’s filled with hands-on interactive things for people to learn about climate change… things like games and touchscreen questions to engage people of all ages and in particular youth and kids so they can learn about climate change,” Curtis said.

“We hope that with the polar bears here, people will see them and be inspired to make positive changes in their life so that we can keep polar bears in the wild and all work together to save our sea ice.”

The Leatherdale Centre is home to the APC’s conservation and research team, which is involved in sustainability projects involving seals, owls and red pandas, among other species.

“We really want to be a place where people experience the wonders of nature in a way that inspires them to conserve it for the future,” Curtis said.

APC is currently fundraising for Canada’s Diversity Gardens, a $200 million project which will feature a variety of plants as they relate to different cultures.

Curtis said that private sector donations have been coming in steadily, with the City of Winnipeg and the province committed to investments.  APC is still waiting to hear if the federal government will be contributing.

Curtis said that while massive initiatives such as Journey to Churchill can inspire visitors every day, small projects can have just as much impact.

“I think climate change and conservation are very big words and they can be scary for all of us so  … what we want is for people to feel empowered,” Curtis said.

“Things like Bike to Work Day and Sustainability Day at the Zoo… and we have tree planting in the park where we have schools come in and help … it’s those events that are my favourite because it really brings out the community and we’re able to engage.”