While winter has been somewhat of a roller-coaster this year, Manitoba's resident spring forecasting rodent was hard at work preparing his official announcement which took place yesterday morning shortly after sunrise. 

He came out of Oak Hammock Marsh's newest viewing blind in the courtyard, looked around and saw his shadow! 

So, there will be another 6 weeks of winter in Manitoba!

Yes, their little plush weather forecaster's track record is surprisingly quite accurate. For the past 23 years, Merv has correctly predicted the arrival of spring and only made one mistake! 

Six more weeks of winter may seems like a long time, but keep in mind that this is Manitoba. Six weeks from now will be mid-March and this is typically when the first geese return.

While Manitoba Merv's predictions are always fun and entertaining, yesterday also marked an important day for Oak Hammock Marsh. February 2nd is World Wetlands Day

On February 2nd 1971, in the town of Ramsar, Iran, world leaders signed an important international agreement to ensure the conservation and wise use of wetlands of international importance and their biodiversity, including water resources. Oak Hammock Marsh was officially designated as a Ramsar Site in 1987. 

You can get more information by calling the Oak Hammock Marsh Interpretive Centre
(204) 467-3300.