| Group works to save local forest The Lance Wednesday, October 9, 2002 By Brenda Fleming (Photo caption: Jim Gyselinck and Jules Legal of the Save Our Seine group were among those who turned out last Saturday morning to clean up a section of the Seine River Greenway Trail in St. Vital. The group is also working to preserve a beloved section of forest.) A little snow didn�t stop members of the Save Our Seine group and their supporters from turning out last weekend to help clean up a section of the treasured Seine River Forest and river area. Volunteers, including a group of enthusiastic Boy Scouts from East Kildonan, and Paul Gossen of Quest for the Bay fame, got together Saturday morning to take part in the cleanup effort, which took place in a section of the forest behind Morrow Gospel Church on St. Anne�s Rd. Participants helped out with everything from clearing deadfall from the river trail to installing culverts for drainage. The Seine River Greenway trail in St. Vital runs along the Seine River from Morrow Gospel Church to Victor Wyatt House on St. Anne�s Rd. The forest and river are havens for wildlife, with everything from turtles to foxes making the areas their home. �There are all kinds of deer,� said Jules Legal, president of Save Our Seine River Environment Inc. �This year we counted about half a dozen fawns.� One of the volunteers on hand was Nathan Laser. Laser, an Old St. Vital resident, has had a longtime love of the Seine. This summer, he supervised an Urban Green Team. Laser and members of the team took part in a variety of cleanup and preservation efforts, including widening a section of the Seine Forest river trail and clearing debris from the river. He said the team even came across some history over the summer. �We came across an old seeder that had a date on it from the early (1900s.)� Laser said that he has always been fond of the Seine River area and feel�s that it�s his duty to help preserve it. In addition to taking part in last Saturday�s cleanup efforts, members of Save Our Seine and other supporters of the Seine River and forest have been working to raise $1 million be the end of December. The money is needed to help preserve a section of the Seine forest known as Bois des Esprits as a city park. Save our Seine�s Jules Legal acknowledged that ranging $1 million by the end of the year is a big task, but he�s hopeful that goal can be reached. He said he is pleased that many people have expressed an interest in seeing Bois des Esprits preserved. The Save Our Seine effort has attracted supporters of all ages, ranging from school children to seniors. Legal said many people have said they want to see the environment preserved for future generations to enjoy. Save the Seine hopes to raise $1 million The Lance Wednesday, October 9, 2002 By Brenda Fleming Members of the Save Our Seine Group are hoping for a special Christmas present this year: $1 million to preserve a section of the Seine River forest as a city park. The section, known as Bois des Esprits, is a popular walking area and a haven for a wide variety of wildlife. Save Our Seine members are working together with the City of Winnipeg and Evergreen Common Grounds, a national urban land trust, to raise the $1 million to go toward the cost of purchasing and preserving the section of the forest as a city park. Donations of $15 and over are eligible for a tax receipt, but donations of any amount are welcome. Agencies, foundations and the provincial government area are also being approached in the fundraising effort. Donors of $25 or more will receive a certificate signed by Mayor Glen Murray, Save Our Seine president Jules Legal and the chairperson of Evergreen Common Grounds. Further information about the fund drive is available by calling Save Our Seine co-ordinator David Danyluk at 470-9247 or online at www.geocities.com/saveourseine. Photo caption (Page 4) Cleaning Up J.P. Brunet (above left), Calvin Rice, Jules Legal, David Henderson and Jim Gyselinck join forces with Cody Mercer (below left), Daryl Labossiere, Kevin Wolowich and Corey Dovidija from the 61st Winnipeg Scout Group to clear a section of the Seine River Greenway Trail in St. Vital. The volunteers were all part of an annual cleanup effort last Saturday organized by the Save Our Seine group. (Photos by Brenda Fleming) |