Harry J. Enns Wetland Discovery Centre
BACKGROUND
About the Oak Hammock Marsh Interpretive Centre
- The Oak Hammock Marsh Interpretive Centre is a joint project of Ducks Unlimited Canada and the Province of Manitoba.
- The Centre opened in 1993 and is located on the edge of the Oak Hammock Marsh Wildlife Management Area. The area is recognized as an international birding hotspot and a RAMSAR Wetland of International Importance.
- The Centre delivers award-winning outdoor education programs through guided activities, as well as a variety of interactive displays and exhibits.
- The Interpretive Centre is visited by approximately 100,000 people every year and is a highly sought destination for field trips, tours and special events.
- Ducks Unlimited Canada’s national office is located in the same building as the Interpretive Centre.
About Harry J. Enns
- Harry J. Enns (November 30, 1931 – June 24, 2010) served as Minister of Natural Resources during the time that the Oak Hammock Marsh Interpretive Centre was proposed, and subsequently built.
- Enns was a strong proponent of establishing the Centre at Oak Hammock Marsh, which was met with significant controversy.
- Enns advocated to make the necessary zoning changes and passed new Wildlife Act amendments required for constructing the building in the Wildlife Management Area.
Why name the Centre after Harry Enns?
- Ducks Unlimited Canada is proud to celebrate the contributions of conservation leaders from across the country.
- Harry Enns, along with many others, was an instrumental player in the establishment of the Oak Hammock Marsh Interpretive Centre nearly 30 years ago.
- Re-naming the Oak Hammock Marsh Interpretive Centre as the “Harry J. Enns Wetland Discovery Centre” is a celebration of the people and partnerships that make our work possible.
Is it not going to be called “Oak Hammock Marsh” anymore?
- References to Oak Hammock Marsh are not going away.
- Oak Hammock Marsh is the name of the Wildlife Management Area where the Centre is located, and we will continue referencing this within our branding and communications.
- We are re-naming the building itself the “Harry J. Enns Wetland Discovery Centre.”
