Posted on 05/28/2015, 1:30 pm, by mySteinbach

Manitoba has launched a program to encourage people to become home-grown tourists and visit many of the unique and interesting attractions all over the province. This announcement was made by Tourism, Culture, Heritage, Sport and Consumer Protection Minister Ron Lemieux.

“We have so much to offer visitors, and it’s easy to take our own attractions for granted because we live here and can see them any time,” Minister Lemieux said. “From the Assiniboine Park Zoo to the Narcisse snake dens and the Oak Hammock Marsh, Manitoba is where Canada’s Heart Beats.”

This summer, visit a participating Eco Explore site, learn about the environment and the provincial ecology, the minister said. Then take a photo of yourself at the site and post it on Instagram using the hashtag #ecoexploremb. Visit three sites, post your photos and you will receive an Eco Explorer e-certificate. At the end of the summer, the person who completes the most experiences will qualify to win a prize package from some of the participating organizations, Minister Lemieux added.

“We are pleased to participate in the Eco Explore program and can’t wait to welcome visitors to Assiniboine Park and Assiniboine Park Zoo for this exciting challenge,” said Lorne Perrin, vice-president, park services, Assiniboine Park Conservancy. “The Eco Explore program is a great way for us to facilitate exploration of our province, not only here at the park and zoo, but at all of the participating destinations.”

Participating Eco Explore attractions are:

  • Alfred Hole Goose Sanctuary, Whiteshell Provincial Park;
  • Assiniboine Park and Zoo, Winnipeg;
  • Brokenhead Wetland Interpretive Trail, Scanterbury;
  • Churchill Northern Studies Centre Learning Vacations, Churchill;
  • Fort Whyte Alive Bison Safari, Winnipeg;
  • Living Prairie Museum, Winnipeg;
  • Narcisse Snake Dens, Narcisse;
  • Oak Hammock Marsh;
  • Spruce Woods Park Centre, Spruce Woods Provincial Park;
  • The Manitoba Museum Lake Winnipeg:  Shared Solutions, Winnipeg;
  • Weston Family Tall Grass Prairie Interpretive Centre, Stuartburn; and
  • Whiteshell Fish Hatchery, Whiteshell Provincial Park.

To learn more about the Eco Explore program, visit www.ecoexploremb.com.