Steinbach Online, written by Lexi Olifirowich Tuesday, October 8 2024
https://steinbachonline.com/articles/explore-the-changing-colours-of-the-prairies-with-nature-norm
Adventures with Nature Norm is welcoming in fall with a tour showing off the fall colours in the tall-grass prairie.
The tour is this upcoming Saturday, and Norm Gregoire believes it will be the perfect time to appreciate the fall colours.
“We’re already starting to notice a lot of the aspens are changing colors, but there is still a fair amount of green ones. I’m not sure if it has to do with the warm weather that we’ve had, but it seems like we’re having a pretty warm fall here, which definitely correlates with a little bit later foliage than usual.”
The tour will be at the Prairie Shore Interpretive Trail, so those on the walk will get a good look at the colors in the prairies and the grasslands.
“We have some amazing different colors, and a variety of plants and trees that will be in full color mid-October.”
Not only will those on the walk be looking up at trees such as aspens and oaks, Gregoire says they will also be looking down.
He says this a great tour to join if you are a macro photographer because some of the smaller plants and grasses are really vibrant.
“If you want to find those red colors, then you’re going to be looking down at things like dogwood, different cherry trees, and one that shocks people when I say it is Poison Ivy.”
Gregoire says Poison Ivy is an interesting plant to check out.
“It has some incredible colors to it at this time of year, but we won’t get too close when we’re taking photos of the Poison Ivy.”
Oftentimes, Adventures with Nature Norm takes place at the Agassiz Interpretive Trail.
He explains why he chose the Prairie Shore Interpretive Trail this time around.
“There are some decent varieties in different tree cover, and nice willow thicket that we could get some really nice colors in as well. We have a few trails on the Tall Grass Prairie Preserve, so it’s nice to switch it up here and there.”
Gregoire says the walk will be fairly short. It will be under two kilometers in length and will take place over two hours, so they are going at a slow pace.
“We’re really stopping and smelling the roses as they say. We’re going to be stopping a lot, so all ages are welcome,” he says. “It’s a nature walk, we’re not really out there for a huge amount of exercise. We’ll be more out there to get back in touch with nature, and at a great time of year, fall is a beautiful time in the prairies.”
The fall colours walk takes place this Saturday, October 12th, from 10:00am – 12:00pm.
For more information, contact Norm Gregoire at info@sharedlegacymb.ca or 204-408-6166