A major transformation is underway at Oak Hammock Marsh, where the Wetland Discovery Centre is temporarily closed for renovations.
As a result, celebrations will look a little different this year for World Wetlands Day on Feb. 2.
“World Wetlands Day is a very important day to celebrate as wetlands are one of the most complex and beneficial habitats on the planet,” said Jacques Bourgeois, who does marketing and communications for Oak Hammock Marsh.
“They prevent floods and droughts, clean water naturally, reduce erosion, capture excess carbon, provide a home to countless species and give us a great opportunity to enjoy nature by offering numerous recreational activities such as bird-watching, hiking, canoeing and kayaking.”
Unfortunately, we are still losing wetlands at an alarming rate, he added.
“We must continue our efforts of raising awareness about their importance,” he said. “It is through the dedicated conservation work done by Ducks Unlimited Canada for the past 85 years that we can achieve this goal.”
This year’s theme for World Wetlands Day is “Wetlands and Human Well-being.”
“This is a perfect topic for Oak Hammock Marsh, and we encourage people to come out and enjoy our trails on their own or on snowshoes with a guide,” Bourgeois said.
“The fact that the Discovery Centre is currently closed for renovation is a bit of a challenge to showcase the benefits of wetlands firsthand, so we decided to illustrate the many facets of our thriving marsh via a free virtual presentation on the evening of Feb. 2.”
The virtual presentation will be available in French at 6 p.m. and in English at 7 p.m. through the Oak Hammock Marsh website at www.oakhammockmarsh.ca.
“Not only will this presentation take people through a virtual walk through the marsh, but it will highlight all the benefits associated with wetlands. It is also a way to demonstrate our virtual educational programs to potential teachers and educators who would be interested booking or programs for their classroom,” Bourgeois said.
“Feb. 2 is also Groundhog Day. This is when our official plush groundhog prognosticator, Manitoba Merv, will tell us if we will have an early spring or not.”
Looking ahead, there’s much to look forward to at the Wetlands Discovery Centre. The revamped facility will feature improvements to the current café and meeting rooms, as well as some entirely new exhibits complete with technological enhancements.
The award-winning Harry J. Enns Wetland Discovery Centre first opened its doors in 1993 and continues to welcome about 100,000 visitors each year. However, no major upgrades have occurred since it opened so the building is in need of serious repairs.
“We are also taking over the second floor of the current DUC (Ducks Unlimited Canada) offices and transforming it into a multipurpose event space,” said Nathalie Bays, operations manager for Oak Hammock Marsh.
“The building is over 30 years old and many of the systems have deteriorated. This renovation allows us to make essential repairs needed for our continued operations.”
The Wetland Discovery Centre closed on Nov. 1 for the project to begin. Soon after, representatives from local museums and non-profits had the chance to pick up displays and structures to give them a second life. After that, members of the public flocked to a clearance sale in mid-November to buy exhibit items, office furniture, supplies and much more.
With an eco-friendly approach, 98 per cent of the excess exhibits and furniture has been repurposed.
“All carpet and wood is being recycled,” Bays added. “An energy audit was conducted and the new improvements are projected to increase the building’s energy efficiency by almost 50 per cent.”
The project’s total budget rings in at $6.4 million for the Wetland Discovery Centre side of the building. About half of those funds come from provincial and federal sources. Oak Hammock Marsh is currently running a capital campaign to raise funds for the other half.
The improvements aim to increase accessibility, offer engaging exhibits and add space that could be used for conferences and other gatherings, including weddings or celebrations of life.
A new theatre will provide an ideal venue for guest speakers to share their knowledge with both live and remote audiences. A state-of-the-art production centre will make it possible to deliver virtual and distance learning across the country, allowing the Wetland Discovery Centre to become a national hub for conservation science and education programs.
The renovation project is currently in the demolition stage, but the outdoor trails remain open for all to enjoy.
“We hope to reopen in time for the fall migration, and event space would be ready later in the year,” Bays said.
“The trails can absolutely be used and we are also hosting groups in our Willow Retreat and running limited events.”
She’s looking forward to the new exhibits, which include a massive wall display of different wetland species. Another display will showcase wetlands wildlife through interpretive graphics, species models, live animal and plants displays, wildlife sighting tools and other hands-on activities.
Visitors will also learn about the role and function of wetlands through a large digital map, a “flood the town” exhibit, interpretive graphics, a live cattail display and a chance to view waterfowl decoys. The wetlands conservation and stewardship exhibit will feature interpretive panels, changeable displays and a role-playing game.
These displays will allow visitors to gain a deeper understanding of the importance of wetlands and their role in maintaining ecological harmony and balance among ecosystems.
“We are excited to keep engaging guests of all ages,” Bays said. “We encourage people to sign up for our newsletter and follow us on social media for updates. As we embark on the public phase for our capital campaign, any support is appreciated.”
Visit www.oakhammockmarsh.ca to learn more.
