FortWhyte Alive has grown and evolved since it began 50 years ago. In that time, hundreds of thousands of people have found their true nature in this amazing oasis of nature.
Winnipeg has also grown, making FortWhyte’s hundreds of acres of marsh, forest, and prairie more vulnerable – and even more precious.
Now, FortWhyte is embarking on a $35-million redevelopment so everyone in our community can find their true nature for generations to come.
You’re invited to join this exciting and historic turning point in the FortWhyte story, and to share your own special FortWhyte experience!
Winnipeg nature lover Bob Williams will match the first $1 million donated from the community through the Your True Nature campaign!
“When you invest in FortWhyte, it's not for me, it's not for you. It's for your grandkids, so they will have a place to come forever.” - Bob Williams, Your True Nature matching donor
Bob Williams
Bob Williams
Bob is a Winnipegger who was raised on the banks of the Assiniboine River across from Assiniboine Park and felt connected to nature from a very early age. As an avid wilderness canoer, he has paddled the lakes, rivers, and oceans in Manitoba, Northwest Ontario, Nunavut, Northwest Territories, and the Queen Charlottes.
His public service has been on the boards of Assiniboine Park, Fish Futures (think Ducks Unlimited for fish), and Polar Bears International. Our military is another passion, as he serves as the Honorary Colonel for the Fort Garry Horse regiment.
His business career is the development of commercial and residential property, so he has paved paradise and put up a parking lot several times. It is payback time and he is proud to be part of the team to help protect FortWhyte forever.
“We all benefit by investing in FortWhyte. Let’s make sure it’s not only here for our grandchildren, but that FortWhyte is better than ever and able to support more programming and visitors in a sustainable way.”
Your gift to the Your True Nature campaign will help redevelop and revitalize FortWhyte Alive for you, and for our community. Here are just some of the transformative changes you will make possible:
A stunning new development on McGillivray Boulevard, Buffalo Crossing, will welcome visitors at the long-awaited southern gateway to FortWhyte.
The innovative, multi-purpose Buffalo Crossing facility will highlight the highest standards in climate resilient architecture, educating and inspiring people to make their own earth-friendly choices.
An inviting walkway and bridge will take you across Muir Lake to immerse yourself in nature, in FortWhyte’s 660 acres of marsh, woodland, lakes, and prairie.
After 40 years and more than three million people of all ages learning and exploring in the Richardson Interpretive Centre, it was time for an upgrade!
In 2020, the Centre was given a Deep Energy Retrofit to ensure it can continue as a dynamic environmental education and recreation centre for many more years to come.
Now the Centre has:
-A new Climate Change Action Lab – strengthening FortWhyte’s commitment to climate education for Manitoba students
-Bird-safe windows with energy efficient frames
-Fossil-fuel-free geothermal heating and cooling systems
Since 2003, FortWhyte Alive’s social enterprise and education program, FortWhyte Farms, has engaged thousands of underserved youth in hands-on learning opportunities in sustainable urban agriculture, food services, and paid employment.
Participants gain self-confidence and leadership skills, and many go on to further education and great jobs.
In 2017, FortWhyte Farms added a woodworking and carpentry training program that became so successful, a new, fully outfitted, and dedicated space was needed.
The new studio will welcome even more youth and provide more public programming, along with supporting programming through social enterprise sales and rentals, and unique training opportunities.
Every day, people explore FortWhyte’s seven kilometres of trails by foot or on bicycle. This is where thousands of school children make lifelong connections to nature and learn about the importance of caring for their home, the earth.
With your support, major portions of FortWhyte’s trail system will be revitalized, with more spaces for hands-on, nature-based learning for all ages.
The former 10-acre Waterfowl Garden will be transformed into the Biodiversity Trail – a beautiful winding network guiding visitors through constructed wetlands, mixed forest and wildlife viewing opportunities. The Biodiversity Trail will restore the health of the area’s ponds and add outdoor environmental learning spaces and experiences.
FortWhyte has not been immune to the impacts of unstable weather conditions and increasingly common climate extremes.
Recent drought and flood conditions have led to drastically fluctuating water levels on our lakes. In particular, the lakeshore along our entry road, Sam Fabro Way, has become unstable.
A shoreline stabilization project will ensure the long-term stability of the water’s edge, while installing a permanent hard surface on Sam Fabro Way will strengthen and secure our main roadway.
FortWhyte Alive is home to Manitoba’s first Forest School, an immersive outdoor experience for preschool aged children where learning takes place outdoors, year-round, rain or shine.
At Forest School, outdoor exploration helps children build an early and abiding connection to nature that provides a foundation for lifelong environmental stewardship. It also promotes critical thinking, safe risk taking, and knowledge and curiosity about the natural world.
A new permanent home will be created for the Forest School in a dedicated, learning landscape designed for outdoor learning and play. The expanded space will increase capacity of this important, ground breaking program, ensuring more children will connect with, and learn to care about, the natural world.
Your gift of $1,000 or more will be recognized on the beautiful outdoor legacy wall greeting visitors at Buffalo Crossing.
With a $2,500 contribution or more, you will also be invited to share a personal message on the indoor digital recognition site, to share your favourite FortWhyte memory, mark a significant life event, or honour someone special.
Donors contributing $5,000 or more will also be invited to add a photo of one of their happiest moments at FortWhyte Alive.
Your gift of any size will be doubled to help renew FortWhyte Alive, and contributions of any amount will be recognized on the electronic recognition site at Buffalo Crossing.
All donors will be recognized based on the amount of their personal gift. For example, if you give $2,500, you’ll be acknowledged as a Trail Blazer.
Permanent recognition on the Buffalo Crossing legacy wall
Name, photo and personal message on indoor electronic recognition site and FortWhyte Alive website.
As Head of the Herd, your donation of $10,000 or more welcomes you and a guest to an advanced opening reception for the first look at Buffalo Crossing.
Permanent recognition on the Buffalo Crossing legacy wall
Name, photo and personal message on indoor electronic recognition site and FortWhyte Alive website
Permanent recognition on the Buffalo Crossing legacy wall
Name and personal message on indoor electronic recognition site and FortWhyte Alive website
Permanent recognition on the Buffalo Crossing legacy wall
Name on indoor electronic recognition site and FortWhyte Alive website