The arrival of spring brought two summer interns who have helped expand our activities with partners like Manitoba Provincial Parks, Nature Conservancy and the local Planning Districts’ Community Led Emissions Reduction initiative.  A Rocha Prairie Canada continues to be increasingly involved in a great variety of community action projects.

In early April, we welcomed Angela McCormick on board as our first Senior Interpreter for the Pembina Valley Field Station. She hails from beautiful British Columbia where she was a Park Interpreter. Angela enthusiastically led a Water Cycle education program for 50 grade eight students from the nearby City of Winkler’s Emmerado Middle School. Students were given a role-play situation in a game developed by Angela.  They learned about becoming water molecules, and “experienced” various forms of the life and flow of water–performing as water in the pond, water as raindrops and water in the human life cycle. A Rocha Prairie Canada attributes much of the success of the activities to a great working relationship with passionate watershed enthusiast Chad Bergen, a teacher at the middle school.

Mid May saw our College intern Laura Enns from Winkler, MB begin working on-site. She and Susan have now spruced up the all the flowerbeds; hosted a lunch for 12 and mulched the garden in preparation for planting. We feel blessed to have her hard-working and cheerful attitude on our team at the site.

Finally, we want to acknowledge some of our amazing volunteers Don Bergen, Val Goossen, Myra Danielson, National Board Member Larry Danielson, and Centre Directors, Nick and Susan Pharaoh, who participated in the first Regional Envirothon. This event was held in Clearwater, MB. Don was trail captain; Val and Susan were station volunteers, while Myra, Larry and Nick judged the team poster presentations. Angela and Don went on to be judges at the provincial Envirothon event at the end of May.

A Rocha Prairie Canada continues to be recognized as effective in the work of caring for creation, thanks to the continuous efforts of staff, interns, volunteers and supporters.