The closure of Delta Marsh Field Station will have impacts far afield
Posted By Christopher De Ruyck
Posted 2 months ago
As a former University of Manitoba student who did undergraduate courses and Masters research at Delta Marsh Field Station over a period of many years, I am extremely concerned about the recent sudden decision to close the Field Station.
This drastic step seems to have been taken without any attempts to find less disruptive ways to improve the station's financial situation, and stands to undermine the station's viability in the long run. The decision was made by the university administration behind closed doors, without consultation with interested parties, either with station staff, or with users of or contributors to the station. The apparent lack of practical planning and assessment of the costs and requirements for securing valuable buildings and their contents over winter before the decision was made is disquieting. Of particular concern is the immense risk to the isolated property from vandalism, theft, fire, weather and animal damage — Mallard Lodge, in particular, has irreplaceable heritage value and is a local treasure. Also worrying are the implications for current students, one at least who needs the facility for field and lab work over the winter, and the uncertainty of when and if the facility will be able to open for research in spring. Also up in the air is the future of the Delta Marsh Bird Observatory, which is vital in conducting long-term monitoring of boreal breeding birds. It is the only one in Manitoba, and one of the busiest in Canada.
The immediate losers, however, are the local community, from where the large part of winter usage comes. Long-planned events, and groups that have been using the station repeatedly for years have been cancelled at short notice, (including the winter survival course which has run since the '70s), and there really is no equivalent alternative in the local area. The visitor book is bursting with superlatives and compliments to the place and the staff, and is a striking measure of the profound impact the field station has on people, and the much wider value in general education and positive exposure for the University. Everyone, particularly the large numbers of school children (potential future customers of the university), gains invaluable exposure to nature, the environment and the unique Delta Marsh, and users in fall have the rare opportunity to witness bird and owl banding firsthand.
The local community has been enthusiastically involved in local fundraising events, donating money, time, and gifts on good faith, and therefore they should not be denied the opportunity to benefit from the station over the winter. I am extending a heartfelt plea to anyone in the community who has experience of the station in any capacity, particularly late fall/winter users and repeat users, who were expecting to return for events this winter or in the future, and young people who may be hoping to study science or environment at the university, to express their feelings for the place and any concerns about the situation, by writing to the Dean of Science or above in the University administration, their local MLA, and anyone else they may feel appropriate, to try and get this terrible mistake rectified.
Christopher De Ruyck
MacGregor
