BRIDGING THE GAP:ENGAGING INNER-CITY YOUTH IN STEWARDSHIP

About the Assiniboine Forest

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To ensure natural areas remain in the future, it is important to promote awareness, understanding and respect for these spaces amongst our youth. In an era when many children are more familiar with X-Box, IPods and Pokemon than they are with native plant and animal species found in their local communities, there is a pressing need to increase opportunities for youth to encounter and experience our natural world. This fall, the Charleswood Rotary Club’s Bridging the Gap Project will be providing students from Winnipeg’s Inner City School District with the opportunity to visit two of Winnipeg’s largest natural heritage parks - the Living Prairie Museum and the Assiniboine Forest.

During the full-day programs, students will engage in curriculum based, hands-on learning activities and participate in plantings, trail repair, clean-up events and other stewardship initiatives. Students will spend the morning at the Living Prairie Museum and explore a pristine prairie habitat in the context of its unique ecological components and significant cultural value. Afternoons will be spent at the Assiniboine Forest where students will replicate their data collection activities and discussions in Forest Habitat and Wetland Habitats. The participating students will be able to encounter the beauty of our natural world while developing a sense of empowerment, pride and personal growth as they personally contributing to worthy environmental causes. Our intention is to incorporate a variety of relevant activities and games as well an opportunity to plant wildflowers, build wood-chipped trails and/or assist with clean-up efforts. The project promises to foster within the participating students not only increased awareness and appreciation of our local natural areas, but also a life long commitment to stewardship principles.