Save Our Seine River Environment Inc >> In the Media

Years ago, residents in St Boniface and St.Vital were frustrated with the condition of their beloved little river. The river had once been a revered feature in their culture of their communities. Generations had enjoyed swimming, fishing, paddling, tobogganing, skating, and appreciating the beauty and wildlife of the river habitat. Now it was used as a dumping ground, the river was stagnant and wildlife scarce. It was a hurting little river.

On September 5, 1990 about 40 residents along the Seine formed the Save Our Seine Residents' Committee (SOS) and planned how to tackle their daunting and desperate task (the urban Seine River is 27 kms!). They immediately (and wisely) set forth to plan a hands-on, grass-roots cleanup which would provide overnight results. Through help from the Manitoba Naturalists Society and attention from the local media, SOS organized their first community clean-up event for Saturday Oct. 13, 1990. As a founding committee member then stated, "We're cleaning out the junk. This is something we can do now." This successful activity strengthened the group with an immediate, rewarding accomplishment. It boosted morale and set a precedent for annual Cleanings. It also created and united a dedicated corps of volunteers who would eventually donate thousands of volunteer hours over the next decade.

Save Our Seine River Environment Inc. (SOS) is a not-for profit stewardship group with a charitable tax number. The group is run by an active Board of Directors of between 8-15 volunteers and has a membership of over 600 members. SOS has partnered with several other community groups including girl guides, scouts, cadets, church groups, Katimavik, residents etc. SOS has now hired its first, full-time Coordinator (the author).

Over the past thirteen years SOS has also coordinated many community plantings. Volunteers of all ages have planted thousands of native trees and shrubs along the riverbank. Hundreds more mature trees have been carefully wrapped in stucco-wire mesh to protect them from hungry beavers.

SOS has also hosted an Urban Green Team for many summers. In 2004 SOS is excited to partner with 9-15 Canadian youth with the national Katimavik Program. SOS is also co-hosting a walking tour of the Seine River with Prairie Pathfinders on Feb. 28th, 2004.

For years SOS has also worked very hard to protect the pristine, 80-acre Bois-des-esprits forest in South Winnipeg. The 'A'- Quality habitat is a mixture of Burr Oak forest, River Bottom forest, Tall Grass Prairie, Aspen groves and Ox-bow wetlands, all within the City! The City has committed over $2 Million to purchase this 'ecological jewel.' We are now depending on the Province (who already own 38%!) to come to the rescue and save the WHOLE forest before the deadline of Dec. 31st 2003

Late-breaking news!

Just two days before the deadline, the city, the province and Save Our Seine finally concluded an agreement to protect 66 acres of the Bois-des-esprits. The provincial government also committed itself to make further efforts at protecting the remaining 14.8 acres.

This victory for conservation is the result of years of work by Save Our Seine, and is testimony to what can be accomplished by a group of dedicated community activists.