The Seine River is a river spanning across southeastern Manitoba and reaching the Red River. As the rapid urbanization of our city occurs, greenspace has become a commodity. The biodiversity and integrity of the Seine must be fostered as they provide many benefits ranging from stabilizing the food web, breaking down pollution, and offering a range of leisurely activities for residents. While the Seine may have less notoriety than the Assiniboine or Red Rivers, it is beloved by many and hopefully, by the end of this article, you’ll want to Save Our Seine too.
The Seine boasts a beautiful landscape and is home to five different ecosystems; riverbottom forest, wetland, oak forest, aspen forest, and grassland. Many people have attested that the Seine offers a rural scenic feel, nestled inside the busy city as it provides a plethora of recreational activities for all ages from skating, hiking and canoeing. Greenspace has become particularly valuable during the COVID-19 pandemic where many residents are venturing outdoors. However, as conditions become harsh, ecosystems are harmed. Ecosystems have become increasingly challenging to restore. Some of the largest drivers harming the Seine are dumping trash and high emissions of pollution. The externalities of these behaviours are eroding the integrity of the Seine. Greenspace also aids in climate mitigation and provides tangible benefits for residents as it purifies the air, and reduces heat in the hot summer months.
As the rapid urbanization of our city occurs, greenspace becomes more and more finite. We can not solely rely on laws to protect the Seine; we must unite. We must work diligently to ensure our actions don’t become externalized to nature and preserve our beloved greenspace not just for today, but also for future generations. If you haven't already, check out the Seine for yourself!