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History of Oak Hammock Marsh Interpretive Centre
Oak Hammock Marsh is one of North America’s birding hotspots and a great destination for people of all ages. Now known for its’ beautiful location, variety of wildlife, ecotourism value and entertaining and educational programs, Oak Hammock has a long history in the area.
The original marsh that existed at this location was called St. Andrews Bog. It extended north from the edge of present-day Winnipeg to Teulon, Manitoba and covered approximately 47,000 hectares (116,139 acres, 470 square kilometers or 181 square miles).
The name “Oak Hammock” dates back to the early 1870’s. Settlers from Lower Fort Garry and St. Andrews used to gather for community picnics on an oak-covered knoll bordering “The Bog”. Its owner – Adam MacDonald – called the heavily treed knoll “Oak Hammock” and the name was eventually adopted for the whole area.
It is uncertain if the settlers ever actually relaxed in hammocks between the oak trees during their picnics. However, they may have done so during times of flood if they were forced to camp on these drier oak-covered knolls for several weeks until the floodwaters receded.
A less romantic theory is that the name has nothing to do with hammocks – it simply derives from “Oak Hummock” – a term that is sometimes used to describe a raised stand of trees. Whatever the origin of the name,
the area became known a Oak Hammock. The name became official with the opening of the Oak Hammock post office, which was used until the early 1900’s.
Ducks Unlimited Canada became interested in restoring a part of St. Andrews Bog as early as the 1930’s. The “Oak Hummock” Project was planned but not completed. Then, between 1940 and 1945, the area was used as a practice bombing range for the Commonwealth Air Training Plan. Hundreds of smoke bombs were dropped on painted targets set up in the once vibrant wetland, which had been converted to marginal farmland by this time.
In the late 1960's and early 1970's, the Provincial Government acquired 3,450 hectares of land from local landowners with financial help from the federal government's FRED program (Fund for Rural Economic Development). In 1972, with the assistance of Ducks Unlimited Canada, Manitoba Conservation began constructing 22 kilometers of earth dykes to restore a small portion of the original marsh. Construction was completed in the spring of 1973, and the restored marsh and surrounding upland areas were officially designated as Oak Hammock Marsh Wildlife Management Area (WMA). The WMA is 3,581 hectares or approximately 3600 hectares (36 square kilometers or 8,896 acres or 14 square miles) in size. It is operated by Manitoba Conservation.
In 1984, Oak Hammock Marsh was recognized as a wetland of international importance. In 1989, the Manitoba Naturalists Society, in co-operation with the World Wildlife Fund and the Provincial Government, added 332 hectares of undisturbed, endangered native tall-grass prairie to the area.
At this time, it became clear that Oak Hammock Marsh had tremendous potential for education and tourism. Limited interpretive programs and a small facility did not meet the needs of the over 80,000 people, including international tourists, who visited the site each year. To meet this demand, Ducks Unlimited Canada, Manitoba Natural Resources, and the Government of Canada decide to join forces to build a larger Visitor Centre.
Before proceeding, environmental studies and monitoring programs were carried out to prevent or minimize disturbance to wildlife species. Construction on a new Conservation Centre began in 1991. Much of the work was done in winter, reducing efforts during the spring and fall migration periods. At a cost of $11 million, the building was designed to blend in with the landscape as much as possible, using local limestone on the face of the building. The entire area was landscaped with native grasses, shrubs, trees and flowers to provide a more natural and productive setting for wildlife and people. Construction was completed in the fall of 1992.
The Conservation Centre hosts Ducks Unlimited Canada and Manitoba Conservation offices, as well as the Oak Hammock Marsh Interpretive Centre. The official opening for the Centre took place on May 1, 1993, twenty years after the original restoration of the Marsh.
