Shrub mowing to enhance grasslands for Species at Risk

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Encroachment by wolf willow, snowberry and other woody shrubs, is a major threat to native mixed-grass prairie habitat. Without proper management, extensive patches can develop. A high density of shrub species negatively affects the health of prairie by competing with grasses for sunlight, nutrients and water. Shrubs also decrease the health of warm season grasses by shading the ground, resulting … Read More

Conserving Critical Grassland

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When Earl Malyon was approached by Al Bourrier, Habitat Conservation Specialist with the Manitoba Habitat Heritage Corporation, to consider having a portion of his land preserved for wildlife habitat under a conservation agreement, he didn’t hesitate. “I was familiar with the program and the efforts to conserve habitat in the area,” Earl says. “So when Al approached me, I knew … Read More

Grosse Isle Restoration Project and Slideshow

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[slideshow_deploy id=’1383′] The Manitoba Habitat Heritage Corporation (MHHC) has partnered with a team of conservation organizations and local landowners to restore what has almost been completely lost—native prairie. Currently less than 1% of the original Tall-grass Prairie stands remain in Manitoba, but, through the Prairie Habitat Revival Project, MHHC is undertaking the restoration of 223 acres (90 hectares) of habitat … Read More

Species At Risk Profile: Western Prairie Fringed Orchid

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Common Name: Western Prairie Fringed Orchid Species Name: Platanthera praeclara Description: The Western prairie fringed orchid is an endangered wildflower that occurs only in Manitoba and seven American states. It grows perennially to a height of 16 to 35 inches. Flowers are arranged in a spike of four to 33 (most often less than 20) white to creamy white flowers. … Read More

Species At Risk Profile: Sprague’s Pipit

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Common Name: Sprague’s Pipit Species Name: Anthus spragueii Description: The Sprague’s Pipit is a medium-sized, cryptically coloured songbird with a thin bill and distinctive tail pattern, with white outer feathers contrasting with brown inner feathers. Where it can be found: Throughout southwestern Manitoba on native prairie fields. Threats: Approximately 80% of all global breeding of this species occurs in Canada.  … Read More

Save Our Skinks!

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Manitoba’s Only Lizard Added to Endangered Species List Very little is actually known about the Northern Prairie Skink.  Volunteer Devon Baete, on behalf of Manitoba Habitat Heritage, is looking to change that. For the past two summers Baete has been talking to and visiting landowners who have skinks on their property.  With their permission, he sets “skink traps”- small pieces … Read More

Species At Risk Profile: Small White Lady’s Slipper

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Common Name: Small White Lady’s Slipper Species Name: Cypripedium candidum Description: The Small White Lady’s Slipper is a herbaceous perennial orchid that can grow to a height of 10 to 35 cm (4 to 13 inches). Plants grow in clumps, with each flowering stem surrounded by two to four leaves. One flower is found at the tip of each flowering … Read More

Species At Risk Profile: Silky Prairie-Clover

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Common Name: Hairy Prairie-Clover, Silky Prairie-Clover Species Name: Dalea villosa var. villosa Description: Hairy prairie-clover is a member of the Fabaceae, or Pea, Family.  Their flowers are pale rose-purple or, rarely, white, and appear from mid-July to mid-August.  Leaves and stems are densely covered with hairs, giving them a distinct velvety texture and silvery-green colour. The leaves are made up … Read More

Species At Risk Profile: Red-Headed Woodpecker

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Common Name: Red-Headed Woodpecker Species Name: Melanerpes erythrocephalus Description: A vivid red head, neck and breast make the Red-headed Woodpecker easily recognizable. It is an omnivorous species, feeding on insects in the summer and nuts in the winter.  Unlike other woodpeckers, the Red-headed Woodpecker forages for food rather than excavating holes to find insects.  It is also the only woodpecker … Read More

Species At Risk Profile: Piping Plover

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Common Name: Piping Plover Species Name: Charadrius melodus Description: The Piping Plover is a stocky shorebird with a white breast, abdomen and rump and pale brown to grey back, head and wings. It is identifiable by a black stripe across the forehead from eye to eye, a long white eyestripe and a single black band across the chest. It arrives … Read More