April 29, 2010

My Experience With Nature

Posted by celesdavar08 under Birds, Mammals, Wild Nature, Interviews-Videos, Audio, Uncategorized, Videos | Tags: , , , , |
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Blue-winged teal Riding Mountain National Park

Blue-winged teal swims in marsh pothole

My name is Amanda Walker and I am from Minnedosa Collegiate in Manitoba (Canada) spending the day learning about Earth Rhythms for a Career Preparation course with my school. Today, I had the pleasure to view the nature  and wonderful sights of Riding Mountain National Park. I spent the day with Earth Rhythms president, Celes Davar. This afternoon Celes took me on a wild adventure as we toured the wonderful park, and on our way we were gifted by seeing many of Manitoba’s wildlife citizens. We saw many birds such as “Ring-necked ducks”, “Green-Winged Teals”, “Great Blue Herons”, and Canada Geese, a sight for everyone to enjoy.

Canada goose on nest_Riding Mountain National Park

Female Canada goose hides on nest

Our day made me understand a lot more about nature and appreciate all that beauty Manitoba has to offer. For example, we viewed many of the ponds that surround the park and took time to discover the wildlife among them. I realize that even on a cloudy day in April, Manitoba still has so much to show for itself and that shouldn’t be taken for-granted by anyone; especially those who are honored to live here.

I realized that you can return here many times, seeing wildlife in new places and under different lighting conditions. For example, the evening light on a white-tailed deer feeding in early spring is a site that is quite common within the park.

-By Amanda Walker, Minnedosa Collegiate

 

February 23, 2010

Lost in the Wilderness!!!

Posted by celesdavar08 under Experiential Travel, Inspiring Stories & Ideas, People, News & Views, Riding Mountain Experiences, Things you should know | Tags: , , , , , , , |
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Snowshoeing Moon Lake

Help!!!  We arrived in “total desolation” not knowing what to expect.  It was a “barren wasteland”.  The waiver we signed said “not responsible for death caused by wild animals and parasites”.  Oh-oh! They said this was going to be fun.  They said we were going to learn to partner, to build relationships, and to experience the “T” (tourism) word in a funky value-added format. This was going to be new, fun, interactive, exciting and ultimately beneficial to the bottom line. Ok…sure..whatever…  We had our doubts initially…but now we’re believers!!

The next day was looking up…a bit, at least.  Breakfast was great…generally a good sign, so all was not lost.  Our group was obviously in the same frame of mind.  They didn’t know what to expect either.  However, after a little tongue-wagging we soon learned that their trepidations and expectations were quite similar to our own.

Earth Rhythms was phenomenal!!  The experiential outings were enlightening.  We were drawn to the local customs and traditions.  We were absorbed in the uniqueness of a distinct culture and way of life, feeling as if we belonged to it ourselves and that it had always been our own.  That’s the power of experience and it’s something that everyone can benefit from.  We never dreamed we would dance a traditional Ukrainian jig that looked so amazing in its natural state…until it was utterly destroyed by a couple of rookie bluenosers.  Fortunately for us, we weren’t alone.  The others in our group were as equally “talented” and forgiving.  We felt much better!

It all boils down to this…no matter who you are, or where you go, everyone is the same.  We’re all interdependent and herein lies our strength as human beings.  Together, we can tap into a vast supply of resources that, with a little ingenuity, can benefit one and all.  Together, we can experience, learn, adapt, grow, and profit from each other’s experiences, perceptions and opinions.

We’ve learned to look in our own backyards for the plethora of valuable resources that go un-utilized every day.  These do exist and they’re there for the taking, but sometimes they aren’t revealed until another point of view is expressed.  The full value of those hidden treasures then manifest in a flash of insight, and the hidden economic potential that lies just under our noses is finally revealed.

Our backyards, like the Manitoba “wilderness” may at times seem barren, cold and forbidding, but they can also be warm and inviting.  A cozy bonfire, starting with a tiny glowing ember of warmth – friendship, camaraderie, revelation, and knowledge – eventually grows into a fiery, consuming blaze.  That’s the power of “experiencing” over “observing”.  That’s the power of networking, building solid relationships and lasting partnerships. That’s the power of Best Practices Missions in Manitoba.

Thank you Earth Rhythms!

Blog post by Gem Johnson & Dave Hovey,

Participants on the Nova Scotia Best Practices Mission to Manitoba, February 2010

 

September 12, 2009

Clear Lake Golf Course environmental management approach praised

Posted by celesdavar08 under People, News & Views, Sustainability & Riding Mountain, Things you should know | Tags: , , , , , |
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August 22, 2009  - Great article in the Brandon Sun about the responsible environmental management approach at the Clear Lake Golf Course, in Riding Mountain National Park, Manitoba.  Canada.  Read the article here.

In a really good tribute to triple bottom line accounting, the Clear Lake Golf Course is demonstrating that environmental leadership, profitability, and social responsibility work together as a sound business management practice.  There are lots of nay-sayers out there who keep saying that “green jobs” or the new green economy or a strong government policy framework that reduces carbon emissions will cost our economy.  I don’t believe it, not for a moment.  As with any shifts in business management or economic frameworks, it involves sound research, a commitment to sound business principles, and a systematic approach based on underlying principles or core values that are about care for our planet.

Clivus Compost toilet at Clear Lake Golf Course

Clivus Compost toilet at Clear Lake Golf Course

The Clear Lake Golf Course, because of a strong commitment from Parks Canada management over 16 years ago, in which Riding Mountain National Park required the bids for the 25-year management of the Clear Lake Golf Course to include an operational plan for environmentally sound management, shifted things.  Instead of “business as usual”, the golf course had to demonstrate major improvements in management of water, chemicals, turf management as well as being fiscally sound and turning a good profit that was in the interests of golfers, the management company of the golf course, and Parks Canada as the lessor.

The management team including Ian and Lydia Sarna and recent Manitoba Eco-Network award winning golf course superintendent Greg Holden have done all of that and much more. So have many of their other team members in the kitchen, the restaurant, the grounds operation, the bio-diesel, and in the pro shop.  Our hats off to this team.

Read this excellent two-page spread by Joanne Villeneuve, in the Brandon Sun that profiles all of the many environmentally responsible tactics that are being used on the Clear Lake Golf Course.  This course is a demonstration to the rest of the world of how golf courses should be operated, in my view.  As a long-time golfer, environmentalist, and business owner, I am proud to have this golf course in my backyard.  Earth Rhythms regularly features Greg Holden in our customized group programs.

 

June 9, 2009

Greg Holden receives provincial environmental award

Posted by celesdavar08 under Inspiring Stories & Ideas, People, News & Views, Sustainability & Riding Mountain | Tags: , , , , , , |
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Greg Holden-champion innovator for environmental practices at Clear Lake Golf Course

Greg Holden-champion innovator for environmental practices at Clear Lake Golf Course

 

The Manitoba Eco-Network is pleased to announce the winners of the 2009 Manitoba Eco-Network Environmental Award.  

Greg Holden is presented with this award June 9, 2009 at the headquarters of the Manitoba Eco-Network in Winnipeg.

Award winners are chosen each year in three categories from amongst nominations submitted by the general public. The award is given “in recognition of significant contributions to the protection and awareness of Manitoba’s environment”. Since 1990, it has been a way for the environmental community to salute the often unsung heroes who do so much to make our world a better place.

This year’s winners are:

  • “Individual” Category: Anders Swanson, cyling and active transportation advocate, nominated by Kevin Miller, co-chair of Bike to the Future;
  • “Group” Category: Organic Food Council of Manitoba, nominated by Anne Lindsey;
  • “Special” Category: Greg Holden, Superintendent of the Clear Lake Golf Course, nominated by Celes Davar, President of Earth Rhythms, Inc.

______________________________________________________________________

Greg Holden, Superintendent of the Clear Lake Golf Course in Riding Mountain National Park is the winner in the “Special” category. Greg was nominated by Celes Davar, of Earth Rhythms, an eco-tourism provider operating in Riding Mountain National Park. Greg has led the operation of the Golf Course and restaurant at Clear Lake for 16 years, transforming it from a conventional pesticide and fertilizer-laden, waste-stream driven course to a model of sustainability, innovation and recycling.

The conversion stems from Greg’s personal commitment to the health of the planet – he has also been a certified organic garlic grower, built his own energy efficient home, and provides sustainability presentations to Riding Mountain National Park area visitors.

Innovative features of this environmental turf management of the Clear Lake Golf Course in Riding Mountain National Park include:

  • the use of composting toilets and a digester to minimize waste creating a resource for natural fertilization of the course, and eliminating the requirement for 300,000 gallons of groundwater for conventional flushing;
  • use of compost teas and a variety of natural and biological controls for weeds and fungi;
  • over the past several years, diversion of about 10,000 litres of waste cooking oil from area restaurants as a biodiesel source for golf course vehicles and tractors;
  • composting of all kitchen waste, grass clippings and leaf debris for use on the course and in the herb gardens;
  • and use of native species for plantings around the golf course.

As Greg embarks next year on a term as President of the Canadian Golf Course Superintendent’s Association, he will be taking the examples and lessons learned at Clear Lake to a national audience – one that is committed to putting into practice his message of sustainability for this popular sport.

____________________________________________

There are several good international references for sustainable golf course management.  Perhaps one of the best is the Royal & Ancient in St. Andrews, Scotland.  They have an entire page on their website dedicated to environmental management and sustainable golf courses.

The R&A is golf’s world rules and development body and organiser of The Open Championship. It operates with the consent of more than 130 national and international, amateur and professional organisations, from over 120 countries and on behalf of an estimated 30 million golfers in Europe, Africa, Asia-Pacific and The Americas (outside the USA and Mexico). The United States Golf Association (USGA) is the game’s governing body in the United States and Mexico.

GEO Industry Forum drives sustainable golf in Europe - Last month (May, 2009), The Golf Environment Organisation (GEO) and its European Golf Partners came together  to consolidate a shared positive vision for sustainable golf, drive forward environmental programmes, and to collectively evaluate progress to date.  The meeting of this ‘Industry Forum’, administered by GEO, represents another milestone in the way in which golf’s strategic leaders are mapping out a future in which golf will be internationally recognised for enhancing environmental quality and human wellbeing.

And, in New Zealand, New Zealand Golf and the New Zealand Sports Turf Institute has published online their Sustainable Golf Course Design Guidelines – very straight forward.

Congratulations Greg!

 

May 26, 2009

Katy Re-discovers Riding Mountain

Posted by katybsingleton under People, News & Views, Riding Mountain Experiences, Uncategorized | Tags: , , , |
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I live an hour south of Riding Mountain National Park and during the 28 years of my existence I have seriously underutilized it. My name is Katy Singleton and I am an Environmental Science student at Brandon University.  In recent years I’ve travelled to several Canadian locales to experience breathtaking ecosystems and biodiversity, and in general, missed much of the ecological beauty lying virtually on my doorstep.  

Recently I was put in contact with a gentleman by the name of Celes Davar.  Celes along with his wife Sue, own and operate Earth Rhythms, a business providing ecological experiences to groups of people looking for personalized excursions involving nature, art, music, science, and a host of local business people and hobbyists.  How did I not know this business existed?  Celes informed me Earth Rhythms is intentionally low key, advertised mostly by word of mouth and the web, which helps maintain the philosophy of the enterprise, an intimate, personalized taste of what Riding Mountain has to offer.  

I was looking for a summer job and thought Celes may be looking to fill a summer position.  Over various emails and a telephone conversation I discovered several things.  Celes was extremely knowledgeable on environmental policy, initiatives, CO2 emissions and global warming, etc.  He asked me in-depth questions about my personal views and ideas that I had never been asked before and he shared more excitment and passion for the environment then I had seen in a long time.  I began to feel passionate too.

After four years in my program I had misplaced my love for the environment. I knew the importance of promoting a healthy sustainable earth, but my thoughts had become predictable and stale.  I was reading textbooks, writing papers and giving presentations but was no longer connected to what my studies were really about.  

The day I was to meet Celes and Sue in person a friend and I came out to the park early. We brought along the Riding Mountain National Park Trail Guide, ‘Taking to the Trails.’  We started out at Bead Lakes but soon turned back as it’s quite muddy this early in the season.  We travelled to the Brulé Trail and did the full hike as it appeared drier.  ’Both trails are so different,’ I thought.  Two trails about a ten minute car ride apart and they have such different personalities.  The first trail was heavily treed, mossy, muddy and green, so different from the second dryer, more grassy trail that still displayed the scars of fires long past.  ’Look what I have been missing,’ I marveled as I walked through the stillness. The forest provided a special kind of quiet, that hushed all thoughts of anything other then where I was right at that moment, I felt my heart rate slow.  The stillness was pervasive yet the forest was teeming with life, birds singing, insects buzzing, but rather than noise it sounded like… music.  

Later my friend and I met with Celes and Sue, and over a wonderful meal spoke about the topics I had been learning in school but rarely discussed.  I left that night with an offer of employment and strange feeling of excitement and peace.  Something had awakened inside me that I hadn’t even realized had fallen asleep.  I day-dream about my next hike, and am excited to discover what I can help Celes and Earth Rhythms accomplish this summer. Whatever my experiences with Riding Mountain National Park over the next few months will be, I know I will remember that feeling in the woods, where I re-discovered the stillness and peace that elude so many of us day to day, and that helped me to remember why I’m here.

 

May 4, 2009

Riding Mountain offers a mirror to our daily actions

Posted by celesdavar08 under Birds, Mammals, Wild Nature, Experiential Travel, Images of Riding Mountain, Inspiring Stories & Ideas, People, News & Views, Riding Mountain Experiences, Sustainability & Riding Mountain | Tags: , , |
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Shadows and ice melt - Clear Lake, Riding Mountain National Park

Shadows and ice melt Clear Lake, Riding Mountain National Park

 Yesterday, I went down to the east end of Clear Lake.  We are coordinating a wedding for a couple from Australia and their friends and family who are coming to Manitoba for their wedding.  In fact, they are getting married in Riding Mountain National Park.  I wanted to take a couple of photos of the Wishing Well site to send them, so that they could see just how beautiful this area is.

 

Why do people choose places like Riding Mountain National Park to have significant life celebrations?  Here are three reasons provided by our guests..

  1. “When we asked our friends where they would like to travel, to join us in getting married, Canada was the place everyone wanted to travel to..”  So, they made their travel commitments to come to Riding Mountain and get married here, even though they have never been here before.
  2. They love the outdoors.  They will be in the Yukon, in Riding Mountain, and in Nepal by the end of this year.  Riding Mountain is sacred ground, higher ground, and there is good energy here.  Getting married in a place that is strongly connected to earth, is centred at the heart of the North American continent, and is a national park are all important reasons to celebrate life and marriage.  And, the Wishing Well is a perfect location for a wedding.
  3. They have access to the Elkhorn Resort and to Earth Rhythms in one destination, two services that are essential to their wedding, reception, and celebration with family and friends.  Elkhorn for cuisine and beverage services and a team capable of delivering these services, accommodation, a spa, conference space and hosting of the dinner and dance.  Earth Rhythms for a host of personalized services (photography, video, onsite coordination of the function, local flowers for decorations, a focus on attention to details with respect to “bringing nature into the wedding ceremony”.)

As I sat down by the Wishing Well, I made a wish

“..that we find ways to celebrate our humanity and our care for this planet by doing what we need to do, individually and collectively, to address our climate change challenges in 2009 (the year of the Copenhagen Treaty on Climate Change) with strong actions to reduce carbon emissions and our carbon footprint in each of our communities, our businesses, and in our personal daily lives.  For our children, for future weddings, and for all time.”  

 

Evening light of spring from the Wishing Well

Evening light of spring from the Wishing Well

Coming to places like this, to celebrate significant life moments helps us to remember our responsibilities to take care of the planet.  I am really glad to have a national park in my backyard – both to be able to experience it any given day that I want to, but also because it is like a moral value to guide me in each day.  We hope to see more events like this in Riding Mountain National Park.

 

March 9, 2009

Stories in the snow by Debbie McKeown (Travel writer)

Posted by celesdavar08 under Experiential Travel, People, News & Views, Riding Mountain Experiences, Uncategorized | Tags: , , , , |
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As you may remember, Debbie McKeown (an adventure travel writer), at the invitation of Travel Manitoba, came to Riding Mountain National Park to experience snowshoeing in early February.  Staying at the Elkhorn Resort & Solstice Spa, Debbie took part in a number of unique experiences coordinated with Earth Rhythms and national park staff, dined at the Elkhorn Resort and Prairie Seasons Bakery & Café in Onanole, and soaked their snowshoe-strained muscles at the Solstice Spa.  Debbie was writing a feature article for a well-established online magazine called Snowshoe Magazine to feature the park, Earth Rhythms’ snowshoe packages, and snowshoeing as an adventure and learning experience in Manitoba.

Read her delightful article Stories In the Snow-Riding Mountain National Park and see some of her husband Jack’s photos of their time at Riding Mountain National Park.  While there are many who go south as Canadian snowbirds, it is positively delightful to see that Debbie and Jack have an audience at Snowshoe Magazine who are looking for the northern boreal experience.

 

March 9, 2009

Jenn Cassin and partner Joel sparkle about snowshoe experience

Posted by celesdavar08 under Experiential Travel, Images of Riding Mountain, Inspiring Stories & Ideas, People, News & Views, Riding Mountain Experiences | Tags: , , , , , |
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Now, here’s a testimonial we received today that we just had to share with you.  Jenn and Joel had escaped from Winnipeg for the weekend, to enjoy an Earth Rhythms’ Riding Mountain Infusions package offered through their partner Elkhorn Resort & Solstice Spa.  I asked Jenn if she would mind sharing her thoughts about the morning experience.  There is nothing more authentic than the words and emotions offered by those who have personally found delight in an experience that matches their interests and needs….

“Starting off on a beautifully still and frosty morning, with an enthusiastic, welcoming, and very informative guide, we made our way across the crunchy snow of a lake in Riding Mountain National Park.  The hoarfrost lay on the pines and tamaracks like fine lace, creating a beautiful monochromatic landscape.  The stillness belied the obvious presence of coyotes, wolves, and elk, and we didn’t have to search for long to find evidence of their activity.  

Wandering up a small ravine revealed the winter beauty of the Weeping Forest – the layers of ice created by the water seeping out of the hillside lay like multicoloured puddles of wax, building up atop one another and freezing in amazing shapes and tones.  It was a fantastic experience – connecting with Manitoba’s natural wonders with a small group allowed great conversation, a relaxed atmosphere, and the ability to enjoy the outdoors on a very personal basis.  

The pictures taken could only capture a single frame of the gorgeous panorama, but they’ll always lead to stories and memories. The wonderful homemade muffins and herbal tea only added to the personalized and welcoming outing!

How fortunate we are to be able to have the beauty of Riding Mountain National Park revealed to us by such a personable, intelligent, and ecologically-conscious entrepreneur!  And no matter how much you think you know about the outdoors, Riding Mountain always has something new to show you – don’t miss it!”
 
Cheers, and all the best!!
Jenn Cassin and Joel 

Morning light on layers of ice in Riding Mountain National Park

Morning light on layers of ice in Riding Mountain National Park

 

March 8, 2009

Riding Mountain Infusions and hoarfrost

Posted by celesdavar08 under Experiential Travel, Images of Riding Mountain, Riding Mountain Experiences | Tags: , , , |
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Jenn and her partner Joel were given a wonderful Christmas gift in December, 2008.  A getaway to the Elkhorn Resort for a weekend and experience an Earth Rhythms Riding Mountain Infusions winter escape.  This two night getaway package provides travelers with the opportunity to stay at the 4-star Elkhorn Resort, soaks in the mineral pools, and an outdoor snowshoe experience into Riding Mountain National Park with Earth Rhythms’ adventure guides.  

Riding Mountain Infusions winter couples getaway - discovering ice & snow stories in the park

Riding Mountain Infusions couples getaway - ice & snow stories in the park

When we headed out this morning to go snowshoeing on our “Ice Escapades in the Weeping Forest”, the boreal forests were a-glitter with fresh morning hoarfrost, mammal tracks and the quiet and slightly muffled sounds of raven wings overhead.  What we discovered was the beautiful textures of fresh ice from a creek that was flowing into the lake.  

Riding Mountain National Park is an oasis of wildlife.  The stories etched in snow and ice offer intrigue and a world of discovery for anyone wanting to re-connect to each other and to nature.  And, winter is a perfect time to do that…when the people pressures are less, and you are more likely to discover wildlife moving around.

Are you looking for a unique gift for someone special?  Earth Rhythms provides customized gift certificates for personalized guided experiences for individuals and couples.  These include very unique opportunities to meet craftspeople, artists, musicians, guides, naturalists, and many others “behind the scenes” and do things with them that the ordinary traveler would not have access to.

 

March 8, 2009

Great Gray Owl sighting

Posted by celesdavar08 under Riding Mountain Experiences | Tags: , , |
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We were going for our regular afternoon walk yesterday, just outside Riding Mountain National Park, where we live.  Another reminder that we live in paradise…a Great Gray Owl flew softly, with large slow wing beats across the road in front of us and perched in a snag off on the hillside.  My wife has seen three different species of owls here this winter – a Long-eared owl (most unusual), a Great Horned Owl (common), and now a Great Gray Owl (unusual). Riding Mountain National Park is a great spot to bird-watch during the day, and watch stars by night.  

Earth Rhythms facilitates both kinds of experiences.  Call 1.204.848.4680 to reserve a customized adventure to look for wildlife.

 

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