Betty Sawatzky

This week Parks Canada has found an adult zebra mussel near Boat Cove, in Clear Lake, in Riding Mountain National Park.

Information Release from Parks Canada July 19, 2024:

On July 17, 2024, while conducting a visual survey, Parks Canada snorkellers found one partial shell and one living, adult sized zebra mussel attached to a rock. Water samples collected from Boat Cove from June 19-27, 2024, have also tested positive for environmental DNA from zebra mussels. This evidence shows zebra mussels are building a presence in Clear Lake.

Assiniboine College is eager to get started on their Prairie Innovation build project on the North Hill Campus in Brandon.

Thus far they've raised $23 million themselves, have a $90 million commitment from the Province of Manitoba, but are still waiting for confirmation on a $40 million grant from the Federal Government.

Manitoba's Candlelighters Childhood Cancer Support Group received $20,000 last week through the Minnedosa fundraiser, 'Curling for a Cure'.  

The annual curling bonspiel is a grassroots effort to raise money for cancer-related organizations, like the Candlelighters Childhood Cancer Support Group.

In July of 1974 a flat deck trailer hauled a 22-foot painted turtle to the town of Boissevain.  It took many hands and a few machines to erect the statue at its new home on the southern side of the town.

Next month, Tommy the Turtle celebrates 50 years of welcoming visitors and residents to his community.

Resident, Ivan Strain, shares on that day when Tommy the Turtle found his legs, as well as the start to the iconic turtle races (which was already in full swing) known around the world as the Canadian Turtle Derby!

The Manitoba Livestock Marketing Association (MLMA) is pleased to see the strong cattle market continue into the summer months.

Executive Administrator, Rick Wright, says butcher cows are exceptionally strong.  "We're seeing them at the $1.80 to $2 range for cull cows, that's the record that I've seen.  I've never seen them that high in all the years that I've been in business."

A new specialty license plate is coming to Manitoba that will showcase our provincial parks.

Bill 211 received Royal Assent in the spring session of the Manitoba legislature. It is one of three bills proposed by the Progressive Conservatives. The bill was sponsored by Greg Nesbitt, MLA for Riding Mountain. It establishes a new Manitoba Parks license plate to support the Provincial Parks Endowment Fund. 

Over 125 women joined together at Circle Square Ranch last weekend to celebrate the 30th Anniversary of ‘Becoming an Outdoors Woman’, a weekend retreat hosted by the Manitoba Wildlife Federation (MWF). 

Bill 211 has received Royal Assent at this week's spring session of Manitoba's legislature, this one of three Bills proposed by PC government representatives.

Bill 211, sponsored by Riding Mountain MLA Greg Nesbitt, establishes a new specialty Manitoba Parks license plate to support the Provincial Parks Endowment Fund.

Over 125 women joined together at Circle Square Ranch last weekend to celebrate the 30th Anniversary of ‘Becoming an Outdoors Woman’, a weekend retreat hosted by the Manitoba Wildlife Federation (MWF).

I was honored to attend this year’s event and capture incredible women doing incredible things, learning from other incredible women through the photo gallery below! A photo says a thousand words, but words honestly can’t describe the fun, friendship, support and sisterhood everyone felt over the past weekend!

Riding Mountain National Park is implementing the new restrictions on all watercraft entering the park, due to the findings of zebra mussels in Clear Lake.

Temporary watercraft management measures are in place for Clear Lake while monitoring for zebra mussels.  Mandatory Parks Canada Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) inspections are required for all watercraft and water-related equipment entering outlying park waters.  It's important to note Provincial AIS inspections are not valid in Riding Mountain National Park.