A hardy troop of paddlers received a warm welcome at The Forks on August 17th. The group – which included high-profile Canadians like comedian Cathy Jones – had just completed a canoe trip on the Berens River. Their journey was part of Boreal Rendezvous, a series of wilderness canoe trips to raise awareness and support conservation of Canada’s boreal forest. Boreal Rendezvous is a joint project of the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (CPAWS) and other conservation groups. CPAWS, a national environ- mental organization with a Manitoba chapter, is dedicated to preserving our natural landscape through the establishment of new parks and protected areas. Since it was established in 1963, CPAWS has helped to protect more than 40 million hectares of wilderness in Canada. Here in Manitoba, 350 active members help further the organization’s mission of preserving pristine ecosystems. The Berens River team paddled from the Legislative Building and arrived at The Forks Historic Port at about 12:45pm, August 17th. A public celebration at the Oodena Circle followed at 1:00pm, featuring dancers, music, bison and bannock, educational displays and tales of the adventure. The Winnipeg Foundation has been pleased to make a grant to CPAWS Manitoba Chapter and support its work to preserve our province’s wilderness treasures.

CPAWS helps protect Canada's wilderness