tours and activities – afternoon June 18, 2008
A variety of tours and activities are scheduled for the afternoon of June 18th. Technical papers will not be presented during this time. A tour or activity may be cancelled if there is insufficient interest. A full refund will be provided to individuals that registered for any cancelled event and notification will be provided to register for an alternate tour or activity. Space will be limited for some tours and activities so register early. A bag lunch will be provided prior to departing the hotel for these activities.
- Managing the Water's Edge Workshop and Tour
- Oak Hammock Marsh Tour
- Lower Fort Garry Heritage Site Tour
- East Interlake Watershed Management Planning Tour
- Kiteboarding Lessons
- Sail Lake Winnipeg
- Guided Paddle of Willow Creek and Lake Winnipeg
- Horseback Trail Ride at “Tumbleweeds Ranch”, Fraserwood, MB.
- Nine Hole Golf Tournament at Links at the Lake
- Gimli Walking Tour
- Tour of Gimli Wastewater Treatment Plant
For more information regarding tours and activities please contact:
Mr. Bill Girling
wcgirling@hydro.mb.ca
204-474-4191
Tour/Activity #1: Managing the Water's Edge Workshop and Tour
Managing the Water's Edge (MWE) is the primary riparian stewardship extension program in Manitoba. MWE is a multi-agency team that delivers workshops and seminars to producers, landowners and conservation and agricultural agency personnel in agro-Manitoba. The afternoon will consist of a short classroom session followed by a hands-on demonstration of a riparian health assessment. Participants will gain a better understanding of riparian ecological functions, how to manage these areas more sustainably, how to evaluate riparian health in order to target management practices and changes, and how to measure improvements. Tour registration includes a copy of the Manitoba Riparian Health Assessment Guide.
What to bring: outdoor walking shoes that can get dirty, rubber boots if you have them; bug spray; rain jacket; hat and sunglasses; pen or pencil; long sleeves shirt and pants are strongly recommended.
Schedule:
12:15 pm to 2:00 pm - classroom session
- Riparian Basics
- Riparian Management Principles
- Overview of Riparian Health Assessment for Streams and Small Rivers
2:30pm - arrive at demo site for Riparian Health Assessment demonstration
4:30pm - wrap up
Registration Fee: $30
Tour/Activity #2: Oak Hammock Marsh Tour
Oak Hammock Marsh is one of North America's birding hotspots. This 36 km2 Wildlife Management Area features a restored prairie marsh, waterfowl lure crops, artesian springs, some of Manitoba's last remaining patches of tall-grass prairie and 30 kilometers of walking trails. It is home to 25 species of mammals, 300 species of birds, numerous amphibians, reptiles, fish, and countless invertebrates. The visit to Oak Hammock Marsh will include a tour of the award winning Interpretive Centre featuring a green roof, a guided hike along the marsh trails to visit our constructed wetland used for wastewater treatment, and a canoe excursion through the marsh.
For more information: www.oakhammockmarsh.ca
What to bring: outdoor walking shoes, rain jacket, hat and sunglasses,
Schedule:
12:15pm - depart from the Lakeview Hotel
1:30pm - arrive at Oak Hammock Marsh for tour
3:30pm - depart from Oak Hammock Marsh
4:30pm - arrive at Lakeview Hotel
Registration Fee: $30
Tour/Activity #3: Lower Fort Garry Heritage Site Tour 
Step back in time to the 19th century fur trade at the oldest stone fur trading post still intact in North America. Come and meet the personalities of history as costumed interpreters take you back to the mid 1800s and re-enact events of the early days of this Hudson's Bay Company post: barter with the company clerk, chat with a weary tripsman or sit in a tipi and listen to the whispers of ancient legends. This site evokes the spirit of 175 years of history and an array of firsts – the making of the first numbered treaty between the Saulteaux, Swampy Cree and the Crown; the first training centre in western Canada for the North-West Mounted Police; Manitoba’s first prison and asylum; the first successful industrial area and commercial farm in the Red River settlement.
For more information: www.pc.gc.ca/lhn-nhs/mb/fortgarry/default.asp
What to bring: outdoor walking shoes, rain jacket, hat and sunglasses,
Schedule:
12:15pm - depart from the Lakeview Hotel
1:15 pm - arrive at Lower Fort Garry
3:45 pm - depart from Lower Fort Garry
4:30pm - arrive at Lakeview Hotel
Registration Fee: $35
Tour/Activity #4: East Interlake Watershed Management Planning Tour
The East Interlake Conservation District is one of 9 Manitoba watershed authorities that has engaged local citizens and technical specialist to develop an Integrated Watershed Management Plan (IWMP). The tour will provide a brief overview of the IWMP process in Manitoba and some of the observation and findings of the planning process underway in the East Interlake Watershed including land changes related to drainage activity and potential retention areas to preserve wetland habitats. Projects dealing with fish habitat restoration, shoreline erosion control, water management and wildlife management will be highlighted during the tour.
For more information see East Interlake Conservation District website: www.eicd.net
What to bring: outdoor walking shoes, rain jacket, hat and sunglasses.
Schedule:
12:15pm - depart from the Lakeview Hotel
2:15 pm - arrive at Arborg, Manitoba
3:45 pm - depart from Arborg, Manitoba
4:30pm - arrive at Lakeview Hotel
Registration Fee: $30
Tour/Activity #5: Kiteboarding Lessons
What is Kiteboarding? Commonly people think; "Oh, Kiteboarding, isn't that where the boat pulls you up in the air and you steer a parachute?" In a word - NO! The term itself simply means using a special controllable kite to pull you on a board - a giant skateboard for land boarding, a snowboard or skis for snow kiting and of course, a kiteboard for riding on the water. Picture wakeboarding, but replace the boat with a kite, think snowboarding - but on a flat surface, imagine jumping waves on a sailboard but without 
the need for waves. Now imagine if by using only the power of Mother Nature, you could launch 30-foot jumps, pull your favourite wakeboard moves, carve virgin tracks through powder or just ride some waves to the sunset. Kiteboarding isn't just a sport... it's a passion and a way of life! People all over the world have fallen head over heels in love with this sport and the lifestyle, forever changing their lives for the better. Now is your chance, kiteboarding can be easy for beginners to learn with the proper instruction, yet extreme enough to make even the most hardened athlete skip a heartbeat or two. Are you ready? The two hour lesson will provide you with basics required to kiteboard. You start off on the beach learning to manoeuvre kites only and then progress to the water. Each instructor will have only two students so instruction will be personalized. Lessons will be provided by Boost Kiteboarding: www.boostkiteboarding.com
What to bring: outdoor shoes/sandals for beach/water, towel, rain jacket, sunglasses, and sunscreen.
Schedule:
12:15-2:15 pm – Session 1 Lessons
2:30-4:30pm – Session 2 Lessons
Registration Fee: $100
Tour/Activity #6: Sail Lake Winnipeg
Located on the shores of Lake Winnipeg, Gimli has a well developed harbour with a long history of 
sailing. From this location boats set sail to cruise throughout Lake Winnipeg, the 10th largest freshwater lake in the world. Since the 1967 Pan Am Games, the Gimli Yacht Club has been the site of many regattas at the club, provincial, national and international levels. On this tour you will spend 2 hours sailing on Lake Winnipeg and you’ll see what makes this such a popular sport in this area.
For more information see: www.gimliyachtclub.ca
What to bring: Rain jacket, warm clothing, bottled water, sunglasses, and sun block.
Schedule:
12:15-2:15 pm – Group 1 Sailing
2:30-4:30pm – Group 2 Sailing
Registration Fee: $25
Tour/Activity #7: Guided Paddle on Willow Creek and Lake Winnipeg
Take a guide paddling tour of Willow Creek and explore the various channels of the marsh. Paddle out to Lake Winnipeg and surrounding areas and experience the breathtaking natural setting. Paddle to a remote beach and see the many birds that populate the marsh. Depending on the time of year, Canada Geese, various duck species, cormorants, herons, pelicans and eagles and other wildlife may be seen. You will experience why Willow Marsh attracts paddling enthusiasts from all around. You will paddle either a canoe or kayak for a period of approximately 3 hours.
What to bring: Rain jacket, warm clothing, change of clothing, hat, bottled water, sunglasses, sun block, and bug spray.
Schedule:
12:30pm – Depart Lakeview Resort
12:40pm – Arrive at Willow Creek
12:40-4:00pm - Paddling Tour
4:00pm – Depart Willow Creek
4:10pm – Arrive back at Lakeview Resort
Registration Fee: $45
Tour/Activity #8: Horseback Trail Ride at “Tumbleweeds Ranch”, Fraserwood, MB.
Participants will be transported to Tumbleweeds Ranch located 13 minutes outside of Gimli. The tour will include a one hour interpretative trail ride through scenic Manitoba Interlake habitat, including forest, meadow and streams. Trail guides will provide information on the history of the area, as well as pointing out landscape and wildlife features. Wildlife in the area include deer, prairie chicken, fox and coyote. There will be opportunity to tour the ranch and see a variety of unique ranch animals. See: www.tumbleweedsranch.com for further information.
What to bring: Long pants, boots/study shoes (no sandals), bug spray, camera, rain jacket, hat and sunglasses.
Schedule:
Group 1 (9 riders):
12:30 Depart Lakeview Resort
12:45 Arrive at Tumbleweeds Ranch
1:15 -2:15 trail ride
2:45 Depart Tumbleweeds Ranch
3:00 Arrive back at Lakeview Resort
Group 2 (9 riders):
2:00 Depart Lakeview Resort
2:15 Arrive at Tumbleweeds Ranch
2:45 -3:45 trail ride
4:00 Depart Tumbleweeds Ranch
4:15 Arrive back at Lakeview Resort
Registration Fee: $40
Tour/Activity #9: Nine Hole Golf Tournament - Links at the Lake
The 2nd Annual CWRA Golf Course will be held at the Links at the Lake Golf course near Gimli, Mantioba. There will be a shotgun start starting at 1 p.m. for this 9 hole modified Texas scramble with 4 person teams. Participants are asked to be at the golf course 30 minutes prior to start time to obtain instructions, and club and/or cart rentals if required. The tournament will be proceed, rain or shine, unless severe weather is predicted. The tournament is expected to take approximately 3 hours. Prizes are included! The Golf Course has a licensed restaurant, beverage cart service and driving range. Transportation will be provided to and from the golf course. A bag lunch will be provided as part of the CWRA Conference registration.
What to bring:
The golf course has a normal dress code for golf; (i.e. no T-Shirts, bathing suits, cut-offs, tank tops, etc.). Golf shoes with SOFT SPIKES ONLY are recommended, however, runners or flat rubber soled shoes are acceptable. Also bring a hat and sunscreen.
Schedule:
12:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Registration Fees:
- 9 holes - $30 per person (includes transportation to and from golf course)
- Power cart rental - additional $9 per person
- Rental Clubs - Taylor Made - $12.50 or Jazz - $6.50
- Golf balls are available for purchase in the pro shop.
Tour/Activity #10: Gimli Walking Tour
Take a closer look at the Icelandic community of Gimli. This walking tour of downtown Gimli, which starts at the Docks on Lake Winnipeg, will be approximately 4 kilometers in length, and should take roughly 1 hour to complete. Stops along the way will include the beach along Lake Winnipeg, the Viking Statue, Ted Arnason’s Promenade, the Barlow House and the H. P. Tergeson & Sons Store.
What to bring:
Hat and sunscreen in case it is a hot sunny day, camera, appropriate walking footwear.
Schedule:
Group 1 - 1:00 pm Start
Group 2 - 3:15 pm Start
Registration Fee: $15
Tour/Activity #11: Tour of Gimli Wastewater Treatment Plant
Reducing nutrient loading to Lake Winnipeg is the focus of the Province of Manitoba’s ‘Lake Winnipeg Action Plan’. The municipality of Gimli has been proactive in taking steps to reduce nutrient loading from this community. The municipality has installed a state of the art treatment plant to reduce nutrients being discharged to Lake Winnipeg. The tour of the Gimli Wastewater Treatment Plant will take approximately 1.5 hours.
What to bring:
Hat and sunscreen in case it is a hot sunny day, appropriate walking footwear.
Schedule:
1:00 pm - 2:35 pm
Registration Fee: $20
For more information regarding tours and activities please contact:
Mr. Bill Girling
wcgirling@hydro.mb.ca
204-474-4191