Bloodvein 2014

The Canadian Canoe Foundation in partnership with the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society’s Manitoba Chapter and Manitoba’s Northern Soul Outfitters offered a national-level youth environmental education contest in order to raise awareness and public support for the establishment of Pimachiowin Aki, a proposed United Nations World Heritage Park on the border of Ontario and Manitoba. The proposed park would protect over 33,000 square kilometers of intact boreal forest, a critical conservation gain for a wide number of species and the long-term health of Lake Winnipeg. The Canadian Canoe Foundation led contest saw youth from across Canada take part in a two-day water conference in Winnipeg, followed by a seven-day environmental leadership canoe trip down Manitoba’s Bloodvein River (the Bloodvein River flows through Pimachiowin Aki). Special guest on the canoe trip? Canadian musician, canoeist and conservationist Kathleen Edwards!! (She’s the one with the guitar in the photos below...!!) The objectives of the project were: 1) Educate Canadians about the work that is being done by First Nations, CPAWS, the United Nations and a wide host of organizations to establish Pimachiowin Aki (www.pimachiowinaki.org/). This cultural and natural jewel of the Canadian boreal forest, straddling two provinces, will be a world recognized conservation achievement; 2) Promote National Paddling Week (June 6-15, 2014), a celebration of Canada’s paddling craft, sport and heritage, organized by Paddle Canada, the Canadian Canoe Museum and Rapid Media. The youth project was the featured prize of National Paddling Week: http://www.paddleweek.ca/; 3) Develop youth Water Leaders through an intensive two-day water resource management conference and a seven-day environmental leadership canoe trip; and 4) Establish concrete opportunities for our youth Water Leaders to engage their friends, families and communities in the conservation work of ENGO organizations such as CPAWS in order to educate and inspire thousands of Canadians across the country to get engaged in promoting the sustainable management of Canada’s waterways. A big thank you to all project partners for the work in the successful implementation of the project! Funding and support for this youth-focused environmental education project was generously provided by Mountain Equipment CoopThe Canadian Canoe Foundation in partnership with the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society’s Manitoba Chapter and Manitoba’s Northern Soul Outfitters offered a national-level youth environmental education contest in order to raise awareness and public support for the establishment of Pimachiowin Aki, a proposed United Nations World Heritage Park on the border of Ontario and Manitoba. The proposed park would protect over 33,000 square kilometers of intact boreal forest, a critical conservation gain for a wide number of species and the long-term health of Lake Winnipeg. The Canadian Canoe Foundation led contest saw youth from across Canada take part in a two-day water conference in Winnipeg, followed by a seven-day environmental leadership canoe trip down Manitoba’s Bloodvein River (the Bloodvein River flows through Pimachiowin Aki). Special guest on the canoe trip? Canadian musician, canoeist and conservationist Kathleen Edwards (she’s the one with the guitar in the photos below…) !! The objectives of the project were: 1) Educate Canadians about the work that is being done by First Nations, CPAWS, the United Nations and a wide host of organizations to establish Pimachiowin Aki (www.pimachiowinaki.org/). This cultural and natural jewel of the Canadian boreal forest, straddling two provinces, will be a world recognized conservation achievement; 2) Promote National Paddling Week (June 6-15, 2014), a celebration of Canada’s paddling craft, sport and heritage, organized by Paddle Canada, the Canadian Canoe Museum and Rapid Media. The youth project was the featured prize of National Paddling Week: http://www.paddleweek.ca/; 3) Develop youth Water Leaders through a two-day water resource management conference and a seven-day environmental leadership canoe trip; and 4) Establish concrete opportunities for our youth Water Leaders to engage their friends, families and communities in the conservation work of ENGO organizations such as CPAWS in order to educate and inspire thousands of Canadians across the country to get engaged in promoting the sustainable management of Canada’s waterways. A big thank you to all project partners for the work in the successful implementation of the project! Funding and support for this youth-focused environmental education project was generously provided by Mountain Equipment Coop and Beau’s All Natural Brewery Company.