Challenging. Teamwork. Satisfaction. These three words describe the Wilderness Committee’s first volunteer work party at Raven’s Creek which is located on the southwestern edge of the largest remaining intact forest in the northern hemisphere!

Stepping into the clearing, garden tools in hand, the first group of hardy volunteers took in the garden for the first time. Amidst the beautiful scenery of a meandering creek, enveloped in boreal forest, stood an enormous garden plot covered in thick, tall vegetation which can be safely deemed: Manitoba’s weediest garden! Our ambitious team of seven, armed with spading forks, was not intimidated by the monsters growing within as they began the war on weeds. Soon, cries of triumph could be heard around the garden as people successfully pulled out particularly hefty dandelion weeds and proudly held them up in a similar style and excitement to when one lands a large fish.

After making a considerable dent in the weeds we escaped the heat and braved the still icy, yet refreshing waters of the Wanipigow River flowing past the property and had a blast frolicking and washing off the evidence of a morning’s hard work in the garden. We then enjoyed a relaxing lunch in the shade and got know each other a little better.

We were a bit sluggish when we returned to the garden at the hottest part of the day and feeling over-stuffed from lunch but the energy quickly rebounded when a couple of kids living at Raven’s Creek came out and joined us in the garden. Spirits were high as many “kids say the darndest things” moments were had and they really enjoyed helping us dig out the weeds. It’s also important to note that Robin got pushed into the chilly river by a 12 year old girl soon after!

Just as we finished clearing out and roto-tilling 1/3 of the garden Eric showed up with a truck and trailer load of mushroom compost. The smooth sounds of the Velvet Underground drifted from within the truck out into the garden providing the perfect soundtrack for compost spreading. Everyone pitched in eagerly to shovel and rake the compost throughout the garden, some a little too eagerly as I experienced a few misplaced shovels of manure directly into my rubber boots!

At the end of the day, over veggie dogs and vegetables, we were struck with the rejuvenating capacity the boreal had on our spirits as well as a sense of tremendous opportunity that the forest offers. The common sentiment from both staff and volunteers was that we need to get more people “in” on this! A big thanks goes to our always friendly hosts, Robert and Reynold Raven, for having us out working on their land while providing a welcoming and comfortable atmosphere.

- Paloma Corrin