A Rocha, an international non-profit conservation organization, spearheaded the development of the Pembina Valley Raptor Migration Project. The project monitored Manitoba’s premiere spring raptor migration right here in the Pembina Valley, and in doing so promoted awareness and conservation of the biodiversity and habitat right in our own backyard.
This $32,000 project provided environmental education to local students and awareness to the public through the monitoring of raptors (birds of prey). It also brought economic benefits to Morden as visitors and project participants patronized local businesses enroute to the Pembina Valley. Recent spring bird counts include 8,000 sightings of the spring migrating Red-tailed Hawks, making the Pembina Valley North America’s top site for viewing these birds, as well as more than 1,000 Bald Eagles and 95 Golden Eagles, a Manitoba record.
The Pembina Hills Arts Centre is dedicated to encouraging the growth and diversity of arts and culture for the 52,000 people who live in Morden and the surrounding area. More than 8,500 visitors come and visit the Centre every year, viewing the work of our talented local artists. The Foundation is pleased to provide $1,000 toward a new $4,800 art hanging system, one which makes the job of hanging and removing art exhibits much easier. The Arts Centre may be in a historical building, but their equipment is not!
The Child Development Centre provides low cost, high quality day care for parents completing their high school education at the Morden Adult Learning Centre. Many of these students are unable to find or afford day care for their children, making the Child Development Centre an important part of their academic journey.
Until recently the Centre’s programs were limited to the use of their indoor facility, but now the children are able to enjoy a safe outdoor play space. The design features a play structure, tractor tire, canoe, and lots of greenery, as well as an area with tables for children who want to rest or participate in outdoor art activities. The Foundation provided $1,500 towards the cost of the fence. The total project cost was $6,500.
