Rotarians at work in the community

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 10/05/2021 (1601 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The Living Prairie Museum, located on Ness Avenue, is a 13-hectare tall grass prairie preserve and nature park which was established in 1968. 

This beautiful ecosystem is home to more than 150 different grass and wildflowers as well as wildlife. Tall grass prairies once covered one million square kilometers in central North America but have slowly disappeared until only one per cent remains, which is why the Living Prairie Museum is a unique and important feature in the Westwood community. According to Val, a long-time community member and parent of two children in the community, “the Living Prairie Museum is a multigenerational experience.”

She went there as a child and now her children are enjoying learning about animals, monarch butterflies, and various habitats  for insects and animals. She describes Living Prairie Museum as a “little gem in the community”.

As Rotarians whose motto is service above self, we have had a long-standing relationship with this unique space in our city. In the past we have raised money to support the building of an indoor classroom for students to study the environment. Another fundraising effort was designated to build a nature playground, where children can exercise their imaginations while they spend time in the great outdoors.

Every year our Rotary Club has set aside one Saturday to do a spring cleanup both in and outdoors at the museum. We dust, wash and clean all the surfaces, including the windows in the interpretive centre and pick up refuse on the prairie that has blown in with the winter winds. When we are finished, the museum is ready to entertain the visitors that come to experience the prairie and learn about our native grasses.

Community service is the foundation of Rotary. As Rotarians, we are ready and willing to enhance our neighbourhoods and welcome the opportunity to contribute to the health and wellness of our environment.When asked what motivated him to volunteer in the community, Warren Thompson said: “As a member of the Rotary Club, I have always had a strong commitment to volunteering in the community and helping others. Rotary is one way that can help fulfill that commitment.” Kathy Olson, club president said:“It’s all about giving back to the community, for all of what the community has given me and my family over the years”.

This spring our work will look slightly different as public health guidelines prohibit gathering indoors as a group. It is our hope that we can spend our time on the land and prepare the area for another summer of growth. Community is important to the Rotary Club of Winnipeg-Assiniboine. Join us as provide service above self and work together to make our community a place for all to enjoy.

The Rotary Club of Winnipeg-Assiniboine meets weekly online each Thursday at 7 p.m.Post-COVID will find us meeting in person at the Holiday Inn Airport West, 2520 Portage Ave., at 5:45 p.m. each Thursday. Each week we meet to hear a guest speaker, to meet for community service or to increase our awareness of new businesses and/or initiatives in the community.

Check out our website www.clubrunner.ca/winnipegassinboine for what’s up at Rotary or for more information, contact us at club@rcwacf.ca