Earth Day is looking a little more white than green this year in Winnipeg, but that doesn't mean you can't still celebrate!
FortWhyte Alive, which always embodies sustainability while providing an enchanting setting to explore, is once again providing annual Earth Day activities that will inspire all ages to be stewards for the environment.
Plus, there's eco-conscious attractions and tours aplenty, some special info for educators, and a number of properties that will ensure a sustainable stay or staycation here in the city.
Eco-conscious attractions
FortWhyte Alive (1961 McCreary Rd.)
FortWhyte Alive is offering a full week of Earth Day themed activities, both virtually and in-person.
During Bee the Change weekend (April 23+24) you can take a self-guided tour of this gorgeous nature centre where interactive stations will be scattered along the trails. They've also created an Alive in the Woods tour (April 23-30) that's narrated by CBC Manitoba's broadcast meteorologist John Sauder, where you'll learn about different ecosystems along its trails.
Admission has been reduced to $5/person, while admission collected over the weekend will go towards restoring habitat loss for pollinators on the prairies via the new Pollinator Gardens by the Richardson Interpretive Centre.
As always, they'll also be running regular weekend programming like Storytelling by the Fire, Alive in the Woods and Sod House Homesteaders.
Assiniboine Park Zoo (2595 Roblin Blvd.)
Join the Party for the Planet at Assiniboine Park Zoo to learn how we can all become environmental superheroes! Enjoy special activities including: zoo chats with animal care professionals, interactive citizen science booths, art activities with ArtsJunktion, Indigenous storytelling and so much more!
PLUS: Friday, April 22, 2022 is an in-service day for schools! To celebrate, the zoo is taking off 25 per cent for child admissions.
Manitoba Museum (190 Rupert Ave.)
Celebrate, investigate and initiate change during Earth Days at Manitoba Museum. Join them from April 22-24 and explore the importance of seasons, water and ice to life on Earth.
Oak Hammock Marsh (1 Snow Goose Bay, Stonewall)
This vast, pristine marshland is located just north of the city, providing important wetland habitat for numerous species from the tiniest shrimp-like invertebrates, to some of North America's largest bird species. The mission at Oak Hammock Marsh is to connect people with wetlands, which happens almost instantaneously when you look out over the vast marsh and hear sounds from up to 300 species of birds, countless amphibians and the dozens of mammals who call this place home from spring through fall.
On Friday, April 22, 2022 they want you to take action to support wetlands! Join a Green Building tour, participate in a litter walk, wander through the marsh on a self-guided tour and learn about the benefits of wetlands to the environment.
Support local shops
As you’ll see in our Local Shopping listing, the city is ripe with local makers and stores that put sustainability at the forefront of their enterprises. Whether it’s coffee, beauty products, farmers’ markets or fashions, Winnipeg ensures your purchasing power can also be green.
Here's a list of some eco-approved shops in Winnipeg that make it easy to cut out plastics.
A sustainable staycation
Two of Winnipeg’s chicest properties are also its greenest.
The Alt Hotel Winnipeg has been built according to eco-friendly building standards using a geothermal heating and cooling system. Even the water is heated using geothermal technology, while rooms are equipped with dual flush toilets to conserve water usage. Rooms are equipped with a range of eco-friendly products that are biodegradable and refillable and reusable when possible. To control power usage, your room key also activates the automatic lights, which turn off when you leave.
The Mere hotel has a five Green Key rating making it “a hotel that exemplifies the highest standards of environmental and social responsibility throughout all of its operations.” The property also features a geothermal heating and cooling system replete with motion sensor thermostats in each energy efficient room.
The hotel also offers a Brita water filter for rooms to avoid water bottles, while the majority of the products found in each room are locally sourced. Outside the hotel you'll also find an EV charging station.
