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The Winnipeg Free Press
Friday, October 17, 2003
The Save Our Seine group is inviting Manitobans to take advantage
of what they warn may be the last opportunity for an autumn view
of a pristine urban forest.
Tomorrow afternoon, the environmental group is hosting a barbecue
and guided tours of the Bois des Esprits (Forest of Spirits) at
the foot of Winnipeg's tallest tree in John Bruce Park.
SOS has been trying to raise money to buy a chunk of the 80-acre
forest to protect it from development. If the entire forest isn't
purchased by Dec. 31, part of it will be bulldozed by the owners
--the province and developer Ladco Co., which has a 62 per cent
stake in the property. The forest is home to one of Winnipeg's
most diverse ecosystems, including a bur oak forest, tall grass
prairie, ancient oxbow wetlands and river bottom forest.
The city already owns about 44 per cent of the riverbank land
along the Seine. It will cost more than $2 million to acquire
another 40 acres to save the Bois des Esprits.
The city has committed $1 million to the project and challenged
the community to raise another $600,000, which the city will match.
So far, SOS has only been able to raise $110,000.
In a news release, SOS said it is having a hard time meeting
the $600,000 goal because interested donors and foundations expect
the province to support the forest purchase. SOS has launched
a postcard campaign asking Premier Gary Doer to save the forest.
Tomorrow's barbecue is from 1 to 4 p.m. and located south of
Bishop Grandin Boulevard, east of St. Anne's Road on John Bruce
Road.
© 2003 Winnipeg Free Press. All Rights Reserved.
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