Ecosystems
The Tourond Creek Discovery Center contains 5 different ecosystems with a large variety of plant species and wildlife. Each ecosystem has unique characteristics that allow them to support their populations and that have impacts on the greater environment.
The Aspen Forest

Found in the southeast corner of the center, you can find an aspen forest that contains animals like the Red-sided Gartersnake, Tent Caterpillar, Pileated Woodpecker, Ruffed Grouse, Porcupine, and Red Squirrel. Well managed natural forests almost always provide higher quality water. Because of the amount of leaf litter on the forest floor, there is less sediment and fewer pollutants, than water from other catchments. Forests also play a major role in watershed protection, oxygen increase, nutrient redistribution and they provide habitat for an abundance of plants and wildlife.
The Grasslands
Found all around the park, the grassy areas are home and hunting grounds to many creatures including: Red-tailed Hawk, Sharp-tailed Grouse, Meadow Vole, Red Fox, Wooly Bear Caterpillar, Western Meadowlark, and the Monarch Butterfly. Historically, these areas would have been mostly tall grass prairie composed of very productive soils. Humans have used this productive soil to their advantage and these grassland areas have now become cropland used by local farmers.

The Rich Woodland

A bluff or rich woodland can be found at the North entrance by the parking lot. A rich woodland is a low density forest with an abundance of sunlight and strong understory growth due to breaks in the tree cover. There is an abundance in wildlife, including the Downy Woodpecker, White-tailed Deer, Woodtick, and Eastern Cottontail; and also edible wild plants such as Highbush Cranberry, Chokecherry, Hazelnut, and Raspberry. This area is a remnant of a flood plain and is composed of mainly deciduous trees.
The Wetland
The TCDC wetland is in the Northeast corner, most likely created when material was sourced to cover the waste site. Wetlands hold the role of water storage, aquifer recharge, carbon sequestration, and habitat provided for wildlife. Some wetland residents include the Red-winged Blackbird, Muskrat, Mallard Duck, Fishing Spider, Northern Leopard Frog, and many macroinvertebrates! The importance of wetlands in an Agro-environment here in Manitoba is to filter nutrients and buffer extreme events such as flooding or drought.

Tourond Creek

The creek borders the West side of the property with trail access West of the hill. A healthy riparian area (where the land meets the water) functions to enhance and protect water quality. Willows are a staple species for bank stabilizations, especially the Sandbar Willow. The Western Painted Turtle, Green Darner, Water Strider, and Canada Goose are frequenters of these areas. The presence of beavers allows for natural water retention benefits.
Want to know more about the plants you can find at TCDC? Check out this plant list.