Russ Mead
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Manager's Report
Russ Mead |
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When viewed from a future perspective, 1993 will be seen as the year that the station "jumped" from a moderate yearly increase in Station utilization to an impressive 18% overall increase in use. Certainly, the expansion of the user base can be credited to the Station's importance as an educational and research resource, the need to access this resource and the improved and organized facility and programs.
Without the combined co-operation of the Station's many users and the dedicated efforts of the staff to provide the multitude of needs, the results of the year would not have been possible. I sincerely thank all those users and staff for their support. In particular the students' interests and requests continue to drive the improvements and fine tuning of all aspects of the Station. Doreen Greening and Shirley Dinwoodie deserve special recognition for their dedication and competence. It was more than once they were called upon to provide room and meals for more users and faster turnover times than ever before. I know I speak for everyone when they say thank you and we appreciate you. Additionally, Brenda Howe, Ardith Hamilton and Heidi Mead "pitched in" when two pairs of hands were not enough to handle the load. Thank you for your many capable efforts. Summer Assistants again provided much assistance throughout the summer. David Ingleson provided the necessary components for the school groups, summer courses and all the various users. Mark May capably filled the position of maintenance assistant helping with all the aspects of interior and exterior improvements and groundskeeping. Dick Convery once again proved "it ain't easy" but entirely possible keeping up with the many improvements and repairs a large facility requires. 1993 also represents a year in which many areas of the physical plant were vastly altered and upgraded. Lastly, recognition and thanks is extended to Pat Gutoski and Gordon Robinson who make up the other two-thirds of the administration "team". From making bookings, billings, to advertising, all aspects of communication and promotion have been made possible by Pat and Gordon's efforts.
The most notable improvement of the year was the conversion of the iron filters from a chemical oxidation method to more efficient and chemical free air oxidation filters. The water system now approximates the quality found in most cities and towns, thanks to Ray Goetz and Physical Plant for their continued participation in the improvements made to the Station. Even though the summer was a very wet season much painting was accomplished with the PMQ's and cottages all receiving new treatments. Thanks are due to Lloyd Syvret and the Human Resources group from Portage. The Bell House also received a face lift with a new concrete floor and painting inside and out.
This year will be remembered as one with more than usual amounts of precipitation, especially in the summer months. The students and instructors of summer courses are to be commended for their persistence in the field and resistance to constant rains. With increasing demands on the environment with runoff via the diversion and development proposed around the marsh, monitoring and data collection becomes more important. All parameters continue to be assessed; participation in the Crop Network Program continues to assist monitoring and prediction of growing conditions in the vicinity.
School group use and programs increased in number and diversity. Two Portage and one Brandon High School utilized the station for peer counselling/student match workshops. School groups which stayed for more than one day totalled 11. Thanks to the many dedicated teachers and organizers for their interest and support of the Station. "Ecoscope", a three day exploration and investigation of the marsh, sponsored by the Winnipeg Adult Education Centre, was a welcome addition to existing programs. Young Scientists of Canada from Sarnia, Ontario conducted a two day visit in early July. Teachers and schools participating in multi-day programs included: Brent Poole - Fort Richmond Collegiate (2x), Lois Quesnel - St. Adolphe School, Debbie Romeyn, Kathy Innes, and Henry Fast - Kelvin High School, Karen & Ron Watson - St. Rose Collegiate, Barbara Kehrstephan - Arthur Meighan High School (2x), Hazel Hewitt - Vincent Massey High School (Brandon), Catherine Fillis - Lord Selkirk Regional Secondary Comprehensive School, Mike James - St. James Collegiate.
Six seminars were presented over the summer:
Dr. Spencer Sealy gave a special topic seminar at the Friends of the Field Station picnic on July 10th entitled "Bird species decline and population status in North and Central America". Dr. Gordon Robinson presented a seminar to the May and September Elderhostels titled: "Environmental crises that should concern us all".
Five workshops were held over the course of the year. These included: "Winter Survival" with Rick Riewe and Jill Oakes, "Spring Photography" and "At the Waters Edge" (fall) with Mike Grandmaison and Dick Toews, "Spring Bird Migration" with Bob Jones and "Fall Migration" with Jean Horton. Many thanks to all the instructors for their fine presentation. The public has benefitted greatly from the exchange of knowledge and expertise on these topics.
Two Elderhostel courses were held, one in May and one in September. The Chamber of Commerce, Portage la Prairie, was co-host to the events. Three topics were presented: Photography, birding and history-architecture. The Chamber provided registration and history topic. Lorraine Rae, director, deserves many thanks for initiating and promoting these events. New educational opportunities were realized for many people from across North America. Their enthusiasm was genuine and it was we who benefitted from their shared wisdom and wit.