Waterfowl Park
In 1961, the Regina Waterfowl Park Committee presented a brief to Wascana Centre Planners recommending Waterfowl Park be administered by Wascana Centre:
Waterfowl Park became part of the 100 year Wascana Centre Master Development Plan. The wetlands of the northern Great Plains are one of the most productive ecosystems in the world. However, through drainage of the land for agricultural use, nearly half of Saskatchewan's original prairie wetlands have been lost over the years. With diminished habitat, it is rewarding to see the great numbers of waterfowl and other birds which continue to use Waterfowl Park as a nesting and breeding area. Each April an average of 225 pairs of Canada Geese begin nesting in Wascana Centre. Most nest on man-made Goose Island which provides protection for them during nesting. Geese mate for life. They usually begin to nest at three years of age in the general area where the female was raised and learned to fly. Because of this, many of the goslings hatched in Wascana Centre are moved, before they learn to fly, to areas where the goose population is small. Their new home is where they will eventually return to nest and establish a goose population. Tern Island was built of coarse gravel and rocks as a nesting place for common terns. In addition to geese and terns, several species of ducks and birds such as eared grebes, yellow-headed blackbirds, marsh wrens, and grassland sparrows frequent the Wascana Waterfowl Park. Several rare birds including the Arctic loon, black scoter, brant, glaucous gull and Virginia rail have been observed. Wascana Waterfowl Park also has resident populations of mammals including muskrat, mink, Jack rabbit, Richardson's ground squirrel, red fox and beaver. Boating and fishing are not permitted within the boundaries of Waterfowl Park. A fence around 8 hectares of the Waterfowl Park protects the vegetation along the edge of the lake - cattails, phragmites, three-sided sedge and bulrushes - and ensures it has been left in a natural state. Several species of native vegetation including snowberry, wild rose, scarlet mallow, woolly yarrow, and Lewis' wild flax can still be found within Waterfowl Park. Wascana Waterfowl Park is an outdoor classroom for thousands of Saskatchewan children every year. Classes are taken to visit the captive waterfowl at the display ponds in the spring and fall. Those who visit during the winter can see the same birds housed in the Waterfowl Winterhouse. Classes are taken on nature hikes through the marsh area. They are taught to observe the flora and might event see some reptiles and amphibians. Some classes return several times during the year to observe the changes taking place from season to season. The balance between habitat preservation and public education is a delicate one and must be closely monitored. By encouraging limited use of the Waterfowl Park, people can gain an appreciation of their natural heritage. Children, the urban planners of the future, can learn the value of protecting and conserving natural resources.
To learn about the Friends of Wascana Marsh - click here
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Wascana Centre is home to all manner of plants and animals which are;