President Elect Cathy called the meeting to order with the land acknowledgement and the singing of O’Canada.

Rotary Moment

We experienced a Rotary Moment at the Rossbrook fundraiser last week. Patty Mainville, the director of Rossbrook House was scheduled to speak, but was unable. Glenn, who wrote the district grant application for the event, and did much of the organizing, was isolated with COVID. Jim Thiessen, our keynote speaker, didn’t let on, but he had had a slip and fall on the ice earlier in the day, and was in a bit of pain. Patty arranged a replacement, Glenn got our flags here in spite of his illness, and Jim did a great job at the podium. Even when things go wrong, Rotarians (and Rossbrookers) make them go right.

Chair announcements

It’s been awhile since we’ve had a regular Breezy Bend meeting, with the 19th being Louis Riel Day, and the 26th our Rossbrook Fundraiser at Caboto Centre. It feels good to be back.

The fundraiser was a success. We’ll have solid numbers to share soon, but with the district grant, club grant and what we made from the event, Rossbrook House will be getting about $6,000. A big thank you to Dave Morris, Glenn, Iain and LeeAnn for their hard work on this. And thanks to those who donated silent auction prizes, bid on the silent auction, and bought tickets to sponsor the Rossbrook powwow dancers who joined us. They were delightful.

District Governor’s visit

Sonja Susutt, our District Governor, met with those members of the board who were able on February 19th at The Keg. Sonja had planned to join us for a club meeting that evening, but she didn’t know that Manitoba had a statutory holiday on that date. We did have a delicious dinner and it was great to get to know Sonja better. She is planning to join a club meeting by zoom on March 25th, so be sure to mark your calendars for that.

Rossbrook House is hosting a No Child Alone fundraising dinner, at Caboto Centre, on April 25th. Tickets are $175, with a partial tax receipt. Peter and Glenn plan to attend. It would be great to get a table together from our club. If you buy ticket(s) let Glenn know, and he can make that seating request.

District Newsletter

President Iain shared that the District Newsletter should be informed of events of importance and successes. To that end, he sent an update by Mandy of the Ukraine project to District Governor Sonja. That update appeared in the most recent newsletter. For those of you who are able, please do the same for the Forest and Westgrove school etc.

We have booked a table at Volunteer Manitoba’s volunteer fair on Thursday April 4th. The event will run from 11 am to 7 pm. Iain and Glenn would appreciate some help staffing the Charleswood Rotary table, and would also encourage you to visit the fair and check out some tables.

District Conference

We have a few people planning to attend the District Conference in Moose Jaw this year. Moose Jaw is a nice city and a reasonable drive. There is no airport, so lucky it’s a reasonable drive. Iain, Glenn and Caroline have registered. Let’s get a list together and see if there are carpooling options.

Lobsterfest

Lobsterfest is our next big event. Please mark your calendar for Friday June 14th and plan to volunteer. And plan to sell lots and lots of tickets! Jim and Lorraine are safely back in Winnipeg and plan to be here next week.

President Iain reports that past president Doug McKenzie is still dealing with recurring health issues. He graciously declined receiving visitors for now.

This evening we have Cameron Ruml and Nicholas Moore with us. Cam and Nick are with the city’s Naturalist Division.

Cam and Nick are our contacts with the City on all things Assiniboine Forest related. They are here today to tell us how they deal with wild animal calls, as well as the Assiniboine Forest and other natural areas in the city.

Cameron Ruml - Wildlife & Habitat Stewardship Biologist, City of Winnipeg – Public Works, Parks & Open Spaces - Naturalist Services Branch CameronRuml@Winnipeg.ca.

Naturalist Dept - Who we are, what we do? - work throughout the City such as: habitat restoration and ecosystem management; tall-grass prairie restoration, management and prescribed fire; Million Tree Challenge/ 2 billion Tree Commitment; Invasive species control and monitoring; native tree nursery production; collaboration with stewardship groups, natural areas inventory, assessment, mapping, monitoring; environmental education; integrated pest management and managing human-wildlife conflict in the City.

Living Prairie Museum - 30 acre preserve, remnant tall-grass prairie habitat - never farmed; over 160 species of native wildflower and grasses, self guided trails are free to visit any time; free admission; groomed cross country ski trail in winter; interpretive centre at 2795 Ness Ave.

Winnipeg's wilderness: Oak Forest, Tall grass prairie, wetlands, riverbottom (Riparian) forest and aspen forest.

Cam showed photos of prescribed fires, volunteer tree and wildflower planting, invasive species control and the City's plant nursery.

Winnipeg Wildlife - Managing human/wildlife conflict - 225 bird species live permanently or temporarily within Winnipeg, many small mammal species have adapted to Winnipeg's urban ecosystem, and moose, black bears occasionally wander into the city. Majority of the issues in Winnipeg involve four species: beaver, geese, coyotes, and deer.

The city's work in Assiniboine Forest - partnership with the Charleswood Rotary Club. Formal agreement adopted by the City Council in 1991. Green Team - responsible for forest trails and maintenance, habitat restoration projects, forest cleanups, Green Team home base (shipping containers) and controlled burns. An important role is promoting the future of the Assiniboine Forest.

Following Q/As, President Elect Cathy thanked Cam and Nick for the presentation and the important work they do. Jack Wilson, Chair, Forest Committee added a thank you on behalf of the club and encouraged them to return to a club meeting.

Glenn has had a few coyote sightings living in Charleswood and says they are lovely to see. He is happy his brakes worked well when one ran across Roblin in front of him last Sunday as he was heading for the zoo. Maybe Cam and Nick can teach them to look both ways before they cross the street?

If you checked clubrunner to see who our speaker was this evening, you may have been disappointed. It shows that Cam and Nick are with the city Naturist division. They do, in fact, wear clothes. Naturalists! Naturally.

One year Red River College had a misprint in their Diversity Days brochure. One workshop was mislabelled Marital Arts, when it should have read Martial Arts. It was standing room only, until the participants realized the error.

Happy Bucks

• Len was happy that his presentations at Westgrove School went well and the kids there were great.
• Paul was happy to see guests Ted and Vivian.
• Rod was happy that there was finally some snow and he was able to go x-country skiing.
• Dave was pleased that Nancy found out that the Westgrove Family Centre would take the stuff that Nancy bought at the Rossbrook fundraiser silent auction. They won't have to store it.
• Jagdish was grateful for the beautiful sunny day.
• Ted (guest) was also happy with the snow.
• Vivian (guest) was thankful that while she did fall on Lyle's driveway she didn't break any bones.
• Rod had a birthday last Monday.

Next week - our speaker will be Tracy Mowdy from S.T.A.R.S. air ambulance.