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, workshops 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 Earth Day themed activities, including half-off admission, self-guided tours exploring their network of trails, eco-crafts for kids, full day of workshops, a Spruce Catering pop-up and as usual, a bonfire and marshmallow roast.
If you are interested in a membership, now’s the time to get one as they are offering buy-one, get-one membership deals and 15% off sustainability products in their Nature Shop and 20% off for members.
Assiniboine Park (2595 Roblin Blvd.)
Join the Party for the Planet at Assiniboine Park, the Zoo and The Leaf. Come and celebrate nature and learn how we are all interconnected.
April 22 – You’re invited to learn the importance of taking care of Mother Earth at The Leaf from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. The experience will feature teachings, a community fire, tobacco tie teaching and a round dance.
April 29 – The Leaf is throwing a Party for the Planet in the public areas that are accessible without paid admission. There will workshops hosted by the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society where you can learn more about distinguishing certain types of trees, how to be mindful of movement while learning the lifecycle of butterflies as well as sustainability tours, composting and so much more.
April 30 – This year, the Party for the Planet at Assiniboine Park Zoo will take place April 30 with a full day of activities from a pancake breakfast at the Tundra Grill, an Arctic scavenger hunt in the Leatherdale International Polar Bear Conservation Centre to crafting your own bird-safe seed feeder and learning about sustainability with Drag Artists from Sunshine House.
Manitoba Museum (190 Rupert Ave.)
Celebrate, investigate and initiate change during Earth Days at Manitoba Museum.
Join them Saturday, April 22 and Sunday, April 23 and explore the importance of water and ice with special programming like a scavenger hunt through the Museum Galleries; experience a hands-on Green Energy workshop in the Science Gallery and watch The Enchanted Reef in the Planetarium. *Earth Days will be the final weekend to see The Enchanted Reef at the Planetarium – don’t miss it!
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 Saturday, April 22, 2022 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. 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.
