Eastman Stories

5 Interpretive Centres to Get you Closer to Nature in Eastern Manitoba

Alfred Hole Goose Sanctuary and Visitor Centre


When four orphaned goslings made their way into Alf Hole's life in 1939, the sanctuary's roots were established.

By Eastman Tourism

June 27, 2019
Read time: 3 min

Alfred Hole Goose Sanctuary and Visitor Centre

When four orphaned goslings made their way into Alf Hole’s life in 1939, the sanctuary’s roots were established. Today, Alf’s legacy is enjoyed by many park visitors. Inside the Visitor Centre, displays present the history of the sanctuary, the biology of Canada geese and plenty of opportunities to view the geese up-close. Park Interpreters offer scheduled programs, activities and park information from spring to fall.

Best times to visit are early June when goslings are present with their parents, and late August to Thanksgiving when hundreds of geese are staging for the fall migration.

Whiteshell Fish Hatchery Interpretive Centre

From eggs to fingerlings, Manitoba Fisheries ensures our fish futures every day. Visit our Hatchery Interpretive Centre to learn how the hatchery works towards a sustainable future. Park Interpreters will greet you in the centre and answer all your questions.

Park Interpreters offer tours of the hatchery, operations are at 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. however you can drop by anytime during open hours to discover our fish stocks and how the hatchery operates.

The Weston Family Tallgrass Prairie Interpretive Centre

The Weston Family Tallgrass Prairie Interpretive Centre is 160 acres (65 hectares) nestled within the heart of the Manitoba Tall Grass Prairie Preserve, just 80 kilometres southeast of Winnipeg. It provides a unique opportunity to experience one of the rarest ecosystems in North America: the tall grass prairie. The area is home to more than 1,000 species of birds, mammals, insects, grasses and wildflowers.

Learn about the tall grass prairie ecosystem — its history, the species that live here and how NCC is helping protect it. Browse through the exhibits or take part in a guided tour. Explore the tall grass prairie on the Prairie Orchid Trail – ask an interpreter to join you or enjoy the trail yourself. Discover what’s blooming in the tall grass prairie and always feel free to ask an interpreter for cool prairie facts.

Sandilands Forest Discovery Centre

Acres of natural forests, nature trails, and educational facilities…

The Sandilands Forest Discovery Centre has all this to its credit, and more. Above all, it offers students—many of whom would not have the opportunity otherwise—to experience first-hand the richness of this fragile resource, and to better understand our natural heritage.

Founded in 1957, the 120-hectare site was granted to the Manitoba Forestry Association for the purpose of conducting youth education programs in forest conservation. The first group of students to visit on June 1, 1957, came from Earl Grey School in Winnipeg. From this humble beginning, the Centre now boasts nature trails, suspension bridge, tree planting car, museum, fire tower, and a historic forest ranger cabin – the Dawson Cabin.

Wildlife Haven Rehabilitation Centre

Wildlife Haven Rehabilitation Centre has been rehabilitating injured, sick and orphaned wildlife for their return to the wild since 1984. A volunteer-driven registered charity that has cared for over 39,000 wildlife who play a vital role in the ecological and biological processes that are essential to life itself. The volunteers provide a unique educational experience, teaching visitors how we can peacefully coexist with wildlife with the aid of a wildlife ambassador!

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