​​​​This Land was once covered by a grassland ecosystem, the tall-grass prairie. Historically, our site was located on the verge of a rich, vast wetland on the prairie.  We know of this wetland today as Oak Hammock Marsh. Pre-settlement it existed on over 47,000 hectares. Today 3,600 hectares, or ~8% of its original extent remains. The Land was drained for European settlers and the conversion of prairie to agriculture in the late 1800's. 

This conversion of land use and type of agricultural practice over time lead to ecosystem degradation and loss. On our site we also see high soil salinity, poor yeilds, and waterlogging. Colonization affected the land and people simultaneously and this continues today.  Colonization forced Indigenous Peoples away from their Land, languages, and cultures.  We continue to see the ways in which colonization effects the land and people today.

Since 2017, we have been dedicated to the slow and ever-challenging process of ecological restoration: a wetland made for important habitat and protection of the Waters and a 35+ acre tall-grass prairie that is planted adjacent to a 5-acre remnant (relic) prairie that we actively conserve. This re-establishes here one of our planet's most endangered ecosystems. Little known is that only a fraction of 1% of Manitoba's tall-grass prairie's former extent remains.

Today, our stewardship connects healing the land with healing relationships. In our stewardship, we use prescribed fire, harvest local Indigenous seed, manage invasive weeds, monitor the biodiversity response and, of course, involve learners and the community in healing the Land. Together, we are witnessing the return of plant and animal biodiversity.

Our Journey

Positive changes over the past five years:

• We have nearly completed the establishment of a 1-acre wetland, a naturalized storm water retention pond and habitat with diverse Indigenous plant species.
• We have seeded over 35-acres to local eco-type forbs and grasses, gathering 54 species into our seeding mixes.
• We have nurtured a remnant prairie, a 5-acre right-of-way, such that it now contains 65 Indigenous plant species. Annually, we survey the diversity, remove invasive weeds, harvest seed, and every ~5 years will prescribe fire to conserve and enhance this rare and unique area.
• We use our harvested Indigenous seeds in remedial seeding mixes and propagate them in plugs and pots in our greenhouse to enhance biodiversity around the pond and in our learning gardens, both on-site and in schoolyards. By sharing these plants with schools, learners are enabled to enhance their greenspaces, grow medicines, attract pollinators and birds to habitats they've re-established.
  

Land-based learning on this site benefits a growing number of students annually, as well as a growing number of residents and local community members. In the 2021-22 school year we say 4,566 visitors. Our learning is greatly enriched by these additional features on site:

• a 4-season learning centre with classroom and resources, fireplace, learning kitchen, washrooms
• a cultural learning area with tipi, sweat lodge, fire gathering, and medicinal gardens
• a 23 'x 67' passive solar greenhouse
• a composting site managing the School Division's organic waste through an in-vessel composting unit,
• three model prairie gardens
• vegetable (heirloom), medicinal, and three-sister gardens
• a tree nursery
• an eco-buffer with a diverse, densely planted shelterbelt utilizing native shrubs and trees
• 3 km of walking trails
• a toboggan hill, and
• coming soon: Interpretive and storytelling signage.​
  

We stand strong in our purpose to strengthen our relationships with the Land, each other, and ourselves by restoring the ecosystem and human cultures together as interconnected processes.