Connecting Community, Nature & Stewardship Along the Urban Seine River Greenway
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Parliamentary Secretary Wade Grant Visits SOS at Blenheim Park
Save Our Seine was pleased to welcome Wade Grant, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change, to Blenheim Park this month for a discussion on the Urban Seine River Greenway and how local stewardship efforts connect to Canada’s 2030 Nature Strategy — the federal plan focused on halting and reversing biodiversity loss while supporting long-term nature recovery across the country.
During the visit, SOS Executive Director Patrick Krawec, SOS Consulting Biologist Chris Penner, and members of the River Keeper Team guided Parliamentary Secretary Grant through ongoing restoration and stewardship work along the Greenway. Discussions explored invasive species removal, habitat restoration, citizen stewardship, and the ecological importance of protecting urban green spaces like the Seine River corridor. The visit highlighted how community-led conservation efforts happening right here in Winnipeg connect to broader national conversations around biodiversity, urban conservation, and environmental resilience.
SOS would like to sincerely thank Parliamentary Secretary Grant for taking the time to visit the Greenway and meet directly with local environmental stewards. Save Our Seine works to ensure that communities connected to the Urban Seine River Greenway have a voice in conversations surrounding conservation, restoration, and the future of Winnipeg’s urban natural areas. Visits like this help bring local knowledge and on-the-ground environmental action into larger provincial and national discussions.
SOS Pilots Outdoor Learning Workshops with Local School
This spring, Save Our Seine partnered with Glenwood School and École Provencher to pilot a series of hands-on outdoor learning workshops along the Urban Seine River Greenway — and the response from students and teachers was incredible.
Grade 7 and 8 students from Glenwood School explored the riparian forest at Blenheim Park through invasive species removal, native tree planting, and workshops focused on ecology, stewardship, and Indigenous perspectives on water. Meanwhile, Grade 3 and 4 students from École Provencher rolled up their sleeves in Lagimodière-Gaboury Park removing invasive species, planting native vegetation, and learning directly from the land. The students were enthusiastic, curious, and absolutely loved getting their hands dirty while learning outdoors. Many were especially excited simply to spend time exploring the Seine River riparian forest and taking part in meaningful environmental action.
The success of these pilot workshops has reinforced the incredible potential for outdoor education along the Greenway. This summer, SOS will continue developing Blenheim Park as an outdoor education node by installing additional furnishings and infrastructure to support future learning in nature. SOS would like to sincerely thank Glenwood School, École Provencher, and all the students who helped make these workshops such a fun and memorable success. We are excited to continue growing outdoor education opportunities that connect young people with the Seine River and inspire the next generation of environmental stewards.
Discover the Stories, Spirits & Secrets of Bois-des-Esprits
Bois-Des-Esprit Walking Tour
DATE: June 28
TIME: 10:00 am - Noon
LOCATION: Meeting Location: John Bruce Park, near the Universal Dock. Park is at end of John Bruce Road West, which is off of St. Anne’s Road opposite the St. Vital Arena.
Led by SOS Board member, resident local historian, and all-around Seine River lover Denis DePape, these walks explore the winding trails, rich history, and remarkable ecology of Bois-des-Esprits — one of Winnipeg’s most unique natural areas.
Enjoy walking along gravel and compacted trails that follow the meandering Seine River through the heart of this magical urban forest. Along the way, learn about the Métis river lots that once shaped the area, the community effort that helped save Bois-des-Esprits from housing development, the origins of the trail network, the forest’s diverse plant and wildlife communities, and what makes the Seine River so ecologically important within Winnipeg.
Participants will also discover the park’s three oxbows, hear the story of Woody the Spirit Tree, and encounter the many hidden Murray Watson wood spirit and wildlife carvings tucked throughout the forest. Whether you are new to Bois-des-Esprits or have walked its trails for years, these tours offer a deeper connection to one of Winnipeg’s true natural treasures.
Landcare: Royalwood Bridge Area
Join Us to manage Leafy Spurge. Do you know this yellow, highly invasive noxious weed has roots 15 - 26 feet deep?
When: Friday June 26th, 10.00am - 12:00 noon
Where: Meet at Morrow Gospel Church Car Park. 755 St Anne’s Rd, R2N 4G6
Bring gardening gloves, pruning shears if you have them. Long sleeved shirts are recommended. Remember it is TICK season.