Establishment of a facility for outdoor education in the Fort Whyte area of southwest Winnipeg began informally when the Principals of six schools in Greater Winnipeg approached Norman Wilde, Director of the Winnipeg School Division’s Science Centre for help in setting up a nature trail for their students. Wilde referred them to Allan Murray, Chief of the Manitoba government’s conservation education section and, after examining several potential sites, Fort Whyte was chosen due to its close proximity to Winnipeg, its relatively intact woodlands, protection from vandalism afforded by the fact the site was privately owned by the Canada Cement Company, and the presence of lakes (formed when pits excavated for clay used in the manufacture of cement) that attracted water birds.
Initially known as the Fort Whyte Waterfowl Sanctuary, a nature trail was established by Canada Cement employees, most notably Don Muir, along with members of the Lucky 13 Rod and Gun Club, and the Natural History Society of Manitoba. It opened in September 1966, its operation was assumed by the newly incorporated Wildlife Foundation of Manitoba.
Eventually, a small building was constructed along McGillivray Boulevard with financial support from the Devonian Foundation. In 1983, a larger Interpretive Centre was designed by Winnipeg architect H. H. G. Moody and constructed nearby.
Trustee
Period
Robert Bryan “Bob” Brennan (?-2021)
?-2014
William P. “Bill” Elliott
?-2014
Richard Enright
?-2014
Donald William Muir (c1932-1990)
1966-?
Peter Muir
?-2014
Henry Stewart Perdue (1904-1979)
1966-?
Douglas E. Pollard
?-2014
George Taylor Richardson (1924-2014)
1966-?
Norman Elliot Rodger (1907-2010)
1966-?
Alan William Scarth (1922-2021)
1966-?
Brian Thiessen
?-2014
Clarence Ingwall Tillenius (1913-2012)
1966-?
George Eric Tritschler (1901-1993)
1966-?
Trustee
Period
Larry J. Beeston
?-2014
Richard Arthur Northwood “Dick” Bonnycastle (1934-2023)
?-2014
Norman Brandson
?-2014
David R. Burrows
?-2014
Calvin H. Buss
?-2014
Nancy G. Cipryk
?-2014
Malcolm H. Crooks
?-2014
Junior Daminidis
?-2014
Robert Edgar
?-2014
R. A. “Sam” Fabro
?-2014
Doug Harvey
?-2014
Thomas J. Henley
?-2014
Boris Hryhorczuk
?-2014
Shannon Johnson
?-2014
Tina Jones
?-2014
Louis Kliman (1929-2016)
?-2014
C. Ruth Krindle
?-2014
Timothy A. Kurbis
?-2014
Jeff Lamothe
?-2014
Jack Lazareck
?-2014
Bill Mitchell
?-2014
Timothy Nosworthy
?-2014
Bill Parrish Jr.
?-2014
Maureen Prendiville
?-2014
Alan Brian Ransom (1940-2020)
?-2014
Joan Richardson
?-2014
George Taylor Richardson (1924-2014)
?-2014
Estelle Rochon Fraser
?-2014
Alan William Scarth (1922-2021)
?-2014
Michael Scatliff
?-2014
Rob Simpson
?-2014
Robert P. Stewart
?-2014
Michael B. Susser
?-2014
Larry Watson
?-2014
“Wildlife bill moves,” Winnipeg Free Press, 26 March 1966, page 30.
“Nature: The teacher” by Patrick Gordon, Winnipeg Free Press, 16 September 1967, page 70.
The Fort Whyte Story: Human. Nature. by Jake MacDonald, Winnipeg: FortWhyte Alive, 2009. ISBN 978-0-9813732-0-1.
This page was prepared by Gordon Goldsborough.
Page revised: 24 May 2023
