Conservation group celebrates 25th anniversary with 25-canoe paddle

A conservation group in Manitoba celebrated 25 years with a 25-canoe paddle along the Assiniboine River on Thursday.

Dozens of nature lovers paddled from Omand Park to The Forks to help the Canadian Parks andWilderness Society mark it's 25th anniversary in Manitoba.

"We're celebrating symbolically by paddling 25 canoes," said Ron Thiessen, executive Director of CPAWS, Manitoba chapter.

The grassroots organization advocates for the preservation ofCanadian parks and wilderness.

Canoe paddlerswere joined by representatives from Manitoba Eco-Network, the Green Action Centre and Mountain Equipment Co-op.

One of the boatsmade a brief stop at the Manitoba Legislative Building to pick up Minister of Culture and Heritage Rochelle Squires, whojoined the group later for festivities at the Forks.

Thiessen said the event also aims to bring more awareness and education about protecting Manitoba's parks and boreal forest. He said now is the time for the province to get its act together, before the developers do.

Group calls for more of boreal forest to be protected

"Eighty per cent of our province is covered in boreal forest and wetlands. Most of them are underdeveloped, so we have an opportunity to plan for conservation before more proposals for development are put forward," Thiessen said.

He said about 11 per cent of the provinceis protected in parks but he'd like to see the ProgressiveConservative government do more.

"Certainly we're encouraging the new Manitoba government to adopt a goal of protecting at least 50 per cent of the boreal forest for the wildlife and for people," Thiessen said.

ManyManitobans appreciate the outdoors, but Thiessen saidhe'd like to see even more young people take action to protectnature.

"Less and less people are in fact doing that perhaps due to modern advances in technology seducing us away from that." Thiessen said.

Tom Garrett took part in the paddling event with his 10-year-old daughter Sophia and 7-year-old son Reid.

"I think it's a great way to end off the summer for the kids, have a nice paddle down the river. We get to paddle to The Forks maybe once a year or so," Garrett said.

"I'm excited," addedSophia."I love to paddle. I learned about [the boreal forest]last year, and I sure love canoeing."

Garrett, who said he's an avid canoeist, said he wanted to be a part of the 25th anniversary event, not only to have fun with is children but to support CPAWS.

"They're a great organization that does lots of advocacy for our parks. I think all Manitobansshould learn more about our parks and wilderness. It's tremendously important for climate change."