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In hindsight it almost seems inevitable that a
partnership with SOS and 'Canada's leading youth service-learning
program' would develop. For years the Katimavik House has been
only meters from the banks of the Seine River on Provencher Blvd.
Since St. Boniface is just small enough that almost everybody
knows each other, it only took a couple of phone calls before
the SOS Coordinator and the program Coordinator for Katimavik
got in touch. Both realized that both organizations would benefit
from a partnership. The small summer projects of 2003 were a test
for Katimavik and SOS. At the end of the summer, after assessing
these projects, SOS and Katimavik are planning a major program
for the spring of 2004!
KATIMAVIK ("meeting place" in the Inuktitut
language)
The Katimavik
Website explains that, "Katimavik was founded in 1977 on the
initiative of a man of vision and action: the Honourable Senator
Jacques Hébert." In 1986 the funding was withdrawn and the Senator
went on a 21-day hunger strike to raise awareness, support and
get the funding reinstated. It was not until nearly a decade later
that the program resumed and by the end of the nineties 800 youth
18-21 travel Canada to learn and work in new communities.
Justin P. Trudeau is the current Chair of
the Board of Directors.
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Obviously Sen. Hébert's vision was wise today the
program is celebrating its 25th Anniversary. The program administered
under the Culture Minister (Sheila Copps) is expanding and receiving
increased funding.
However, Katimavik is not new to St. Boniface, the Seine River
or SOS for that matter. In past years the groups has helped SOS
in various plantings and cleanups.
This year the entire group of 11 participants joined other volunteers
at the Field of Dreams Greening.
SOS volunteers admired the hard work and the fact that they remained
until the very end despite heavy rain and dark skies!
TREE WRAPPING
Every year the 75-100 beavers calling the Seine
River in Winnipeg home, chew down hundreds of trees. Replacing
a fallen 60 year-old tree is impossible. SOS's tree planting can't
keep up to their appetites and the reduced natural areas along
the river. For years SOS volunteers have wrapped the lower trunks
of the precious mature trees in stucco wire. This 'cage' thwarts
the beaver's effort to bring it down. These trees not only provide
a 'canopy' of shade and shelter for habitat but its extensive
roots act like re-bar holding the soil together and lessening
erosion and loss of riverbank.
This summer's program involved 4 participants from
outside Manitoba. The SOS 'Kat-Krew' began the month long volunteer
session wrapping trees with stucco-wire (mesh). This is rather
difficult since the Krew first had to determine which trees the
Beavers find tempting and intervene with the mesh. This was made
easier by having a 'training day' with Constance Menzies.
Constance does SOS's annual Beaver
survey completed her Masters Degree in Beaver Management and
has worked as the City's Riparian Coordinator.
Constance showed the volunteers on site what to
consider when selecting trees to wrap Preferred tree species,
age, proximity to the river's edge and beaver activity nearby
make the decision to wrap one tree over another easier.
Technique in tree wrapping is also more complicated.
The trees need room to grow and not be choked by the cage placed
to protect it. As needed the Kat-Krew also loosened, removed or
replaced cages from many years ago. By the end of the one-month
trial the Kat-Krew wrapped over 200 trees in targeted areas and
repaired or adjusted dozens of past wrappings! Their efforts saved
over 200 mature trees in the Seine River environment. (see Busy
beavers)
KAT-KREW AND THE URBAN GREEN TEAM
For many days both youth programs worked side-by-side
along the Seine River. The combination of federal and provincial
programs had as many as 9 students toiling in the Seine River
Greenway.
The extra help from the Kat-Krew saw large logjams
and sites with lots of garbage cleaned much faster than with 'half'
the staff. This enabled the Green Team to continue along the river
and tackle more needy sites that might not have been addressed
this season.
Together the Krew and Team were also able to do
a massive weeding of the Field of Dreams planting. This site is
a former St, Vital City dump and is so disturbed weeds are able
to flourish. While the small trees struggle to compete for water
and light the larger more aggressive non-native weeds choke them
back. Tuff work in the hot sun but very worthwhile in order to
give these little trees (so carefully planted) a better
chance of surviving until next year. The future forest will appreciate
their pains!
Parc
Historique Lagimodiere-Gaboury Park
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Another huge undertaking was the watering
of these several hundred trees. The several acre sites have hundreds
of thirsty trees needing to be watered, each by hand. Again
the Krew and Team were able to water them all during the scorching
summer of 2003.
Another huge undertaking was the entrance to the
City owned and maintained Parc Historique Lagimodiere-Gaboury
Park. This beautiful park is at the northern extreme of the Seine
River Greenway. At the ribbon cutting ceremony the new sign is
quite visible.
Lagimodiere-Gaboury
before & after.
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Years later the sign is completely over grown with
weeds.
These weeds had to be removed by spade and pitchfork
and then hauled away in garbage bags so the seeds did not spread.
This huge task now makes it possible for SOS to
plant appropriate native plant species and weed blankets.
KATIMAVIK AND SOS - 2004
SOS is very excited about the possibilities of the
partnership in 2004. The Katimavik Program Coordinator is expecting
to place one third of the program's efforts into environmental
projects in the Seine River Greenway. This will mean 8-10 participants
from across Canada will volunteer full time in our community.
The annual program is expected to run for 10 weeks each spring/summer.
This partnership will contribute the equivalent of $25,000 worth
of labour working to 'protect, preserve and enhance' the Seine
River Greenway!
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