Driver advised to heed signs

Details

Published on Saturday, September 19, 2015

By Stephen Carlyle

Submitted Article

Manitoba Habitat Heritage Corporation (MHHC), along with Rivers Police Service, are asking residents of Rivers (and area) to abide by signage and vehicle restrictions on privately-owned property or they run the risk of being charged with trespassing. The property in question is owned by MHHC and is situated in town limits on the east side of Rivers, south of Hwy. 25. The 135 acres of land was donated by the Wareham family in 1998 to MHHC.

As with many land agreements with MHHC, there are often stipulations included as part of the donation. The Wareham family requested that the land be preserved and left for wildlife purposes. As such, other than brush management, weed management and a prescribed burn a few years ago, the land has been left untouched. 

“My siblings and I donated it to MHHC as we thought it would be a commemoration to our mom and dad,” says Alan Wareham. “It’s a beautiful little section of land and we’re trying to provide a little bit of environmental education, we’re just not looking after our world the way we should. We wanted it to be used, but never to be developed.”

So while the property is a natural green space and provides a habitat for many species including whitetail deer, grouse, waterfowl, mink and beaver, MHHC does prohibit the use of motorized vehicles, including all terrain vehicles, on the property.

Police Chief Bruce Klassen says he doesn’t believe anyone is driving on the property to be malicious or to ruin it, but it’s more a case of disregarding the signs and believing there are no consequences to these actions.

“We have taken some enforcement action already and have charged a few people, and will continue to as the facts present themselves. Other subsequent charges can result as well, if the person is found to not be wearing a helmet or if they don’t happen to have a driver’s licence or vehicle registration.”

Wes Pankratz, a habitat conservation specialist with MHHC, says the property is there for public enjoyment and that the green space, with some native grass species, is ideal for bird watching, fishing, walking, cycling or hiking. It just can’t be accessed with the use of any motorized vehicle.

“Unfortunately, a few bad apples always spoil the barrel, so we just say no vehicles and try to protect it (the land),” says Pankratz. “On this particular property, there was a pretty heavy trail going in and out, it just looked like a road and that doesn’t help us to maintain the natural state or habitat for the wildlife living there.” 

The area is being monitored by patrols and trail cameras, so it is advised that motorists pay attention to the posted signs.