Party for the Planet
You’re invited to a Party for the Planet!
The Assiniboine Park Conservancy is inviting visitors to a Party for the Planet with events and activities taking place in April and May in celebration of Earth Day (April 22), Endangered Species Day (May 16), and World Ocean Day (June 8).
See events listing below for details. There's something for everyone!
Party for the Planet activities are made possible with support from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.
Earth Day Tours (Zoo) | Saturday, April 26
Date: Saturday, April 26
Time(s): 10:00 am, 11:00 am, 12:00 pm, 1:00 pm, 2:00 pm
Location: Assiniboine Park Zoo - Meet at the Bison viewing platform just inside the entrance
Celebrate wildlife conservation! Members of our Education and Programs Team will lead you on a 60-minute walking tour of the Zoo and share their favourite stories of wildlife conservation in action. Learn what you can do at home and in our community to help wildlife from around the world!
Tours are FREE and included with Zoo admission.
Walk-ups are welcome. Advance registration is NOT required.
Tour Tips:
- Dress for the weather and wear comfortable shoes. The tour is mostly outdoors and approximately 1.5 km long.
- Program is suitable for adults and children 3+ years of age. Children under 16 must be supervised by an adult caregiver.
- Bring your sense of curiosity and conservation questions. Cameras and notebooks are welcome!
Window Curtain Workshop (Leaf) | Saturday, April 26
Date: Saturday, April 26
Time: 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Location: The Leaf - Tannis M. Richardson Classroom
It’s migration season across the continent! Assiniboine Park is a proud to celebrate songbird conservation with zoos and aquariums around the world this spring as we Party for the Planet. Join members of our Conservation and Research Team at The Leaf and learn how we are helping songbirds in our urban greenspace and what you can do at home. Put learning into action and build a DIY outdoor window curtain to help prevent birds from hitting a window in your home.
Program is FREE. Admission to visit the biomes at The Leaf must be purchased separately.
Capacity is limited. Advance registration is REQUIRED.
Program Tips:
- Materials for window curtains will be supplied (maximum dimensions 6 feet wide x 6 feet high).
- Program is suitable for adults and children 8+ years of age. Children under 16 must be supervised by a registered adult caregiver.
- Families are welcome but must sign up as individuals due to capacity limits.
Shoreline Clean-up (Park) | Sunday, April 27
Date: Sunday, April 27
Time: 10:00 am - 2:00 pm
Location: Assiniboine Park - Meet at the Cargo Bar pop-up patio, located near the Riley Family Duck Pond
Spring is here and we are inviting community volunteers to come together to help keep the Park beautiful. By removing waste along the Assiniboine River shoreline, we can also help protect wildlife, improve water quality, and reduce plastic pollution that ends up in our rivers and lakes.
For event planning purposes, advance registration is encouraged. Walk-ups are also welcome.
Important information:
- Volunteers are asked to commit to a minimum of 30 minutes of waste picking time and can come and go anytime between 10:00 am to 2:00 pm.
- Volunteers will be provided with instructions, garbage bags, pickers, snacks, tea, and coffee.
- Children under 16 years of age must be supervised by an adult caregiver.
- Volunteers should wear closed-toe shoes, bring reusable gloves, and dress for the weather.
- The event will proceed rain or shine and only be cancelled in the case of extreme weather.
- Upon arrival, volunteers are asked to check-in at the Cargo Bar pop-up patio, located near the Riley Family Duck Pond.
This event is part of the Ocean Wise Shoreline Cleanup, a conservation program that helps reduce the amount of litter that ends up in our ocean.
International Astronomy Day | Saturday, May 3
Date: Saturday, May 3
Observation Times: 1:00 pm – 4:30 pm, 8:00 pm – 11:30 pm
Location: Lyric Field beside Cargo Bar (by the Riley Family Duck Pond)
International Astronomy Day is a celebration of the awe-inspiring and wondrous universe. It's a day when people from all over the world come together to share their passion for astronomy and inspire others to explore the mysteries of the Cosmos.
Whether you're an experienced stargazer or a newcomer to the world of Astronomy, the day offers an opportunity to connect with astronomy enthusiasts and experts, and discover the beauty and complexity of the universe. From the stars and distant galaxies to the tiny particles that make up the fabric of space-time, the universe is a source of endless fascination and inspiration. So join us on this day, and let's marvel together at the wonders of the Cosmos!
Participation is free. The event is weather dependent.
Telescopes will be available for your viewing pleasure.
This event is planned and programmed by The Royal Astronomical Society of Canada (RASC) Winnipeg Centre.
Guided Birding and Breakfast (Park) | Thursday, May 8
Date: Thursday, May 8
Time: 7:30 am - 9:15 am
Location: Assiniboine Park - Meet at the entrance of the Qualico Family Centre
Birds and food - two things everyone loves! Enjoy a 90-minute guided birding walk led by experts from our Conservation and Research team through the fields and forests of Assiniboine Park during peak songbird migraiton. Compare notes over breakfast at the Park Cafe following our excursion. Deepen your appreciation for songird conservation and enjoyment of local bird species.
Program is FREE. Breakfast is included.
Capacity is limited. Advance registration is REQUIRED.
REGISTRATION IS CLOSED - PROGRAM FULL
Program Tips:
- Program is most suitable for adults and youth 16+ years of age. Younger children are welcome but must be supervised by a registered adult caregiver.
- Dress for the weather. It may be chilly in the morning. Layers are recommended.
- Though we will stay on trail, good walking footwear (running shooes, hiking boots) are highly recommended.
Flock Walk Guided Birding (Park) | Saturday, May 24
Date: Saturday, May 24
Time: 10:00 am - 11:30 am
Location: Assiniboine Park - Meet at Riley Family Duck Pond Shelter
Get to know your feathered neighbours! The second half of May marks the tail of migration season, with nesting peaking … or is it beaking? Expert guides from our Conservation and Research and Education teams will help you understand the stories behind the birds you encounter.
Program is FREE.
Capacity is limited. Advance registration is REQUIRED.
REGISTRATION IS CLOSED - PROGRAM FULL
Program Tips:
- Program is most suitable for adults and youth 10+ years of age. Children under 16 must be supervised by a registered adult caregiver.
- Dress for the weather. It may be chilly in the morning. Layers are recommended.
- Though we will stay on trail, good walking footwear (running shooes, hiking boots) are highly recommended.
BioBlitz (Park) | Saturday, May 24
Date: Saturday, May 24
Time: 12:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Location: Assiniboine Park - Meet at the BioBlitz tent near the Cargo Bar!
A BioBlitz is a collective effort to record as many plant and animal species as possible within a designated location and time. Events of this nature are a great way to encourage public awareness around biodiversity while generating useful data for science and conservation.
Community volunteers are invited to explore the Park at their leisure and use iNaturalist to document their observations. A cell phone with data service is required.
For event planning purposes, advance registration is encouraged. Walk-ups are also welcome.
BioBlitz Tips:
- Volunteers can come and go anytime between 12:00 pm - 3:00 pm
- Children under 16 years of age must be supervised by an adult caregiver.
- Dress for the weather and wear comfortable shoes.
- The event will proceed rain or shine and only be cancelled in the case of extreme weather.
- Upon arrival, volunteers are asked to check-in at the Cargo Bar pop-up patio, located near the Riley Family Duck Pond.
