Connecting with people, wildlife doesn’t feel like work at Oak Hammock Marsh

Volunteering at wetland north of city a labour of love

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If you visit the “become a volunteer” page on Oak Hammock Marsh’s website, you’ll see a picture of Barry Konzelman. He’s smiling, his eyes are mostly closed and a there’s a dragonfly perched on his nose.

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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 02/10/2023 (901 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

If you visit the “become a volunteer” page on Oak Hammock Marsh’s website, you’ll see a picture of Barry Konzelman. He’s smiling, his eyes are mostly closed and a there’s a dragonfly perched on his nose.

Konzelman has volunteered at Oak Hammock Marsh for 18 years. In that time, he’s become something of a dragonfly expert.

He participates in weekly dragonfly surveys throughout the spring and summer and gives talks at the organization’s annual Dragonfly Festival.

SUPPLIED
                                Husband-and-wife Maggie Katzeley (left) and Barry Konzelman volunteer together at Oak Hammock.

SUPPLIED

Husband-and-wife Maggie Katzeley (left) and Barry Konzelman volunteer together at Oak Hammock.

“We catch dragonflies, carefully handle them — they’re actually quite sturdy — and show them to people up close,” Konzelman says. “People are amazed at how powerful these things are.”

Located just north of Winnipeg, Oak Hammock Marsh includes 36 square kilometres of wetland. It’s home to 25 species of mammals, 300 species of birds, numerous amphibians, reptiles, fish and countless invertebrates.

During migration season, the number of waterfowl using the marsh can exceed 100,000.

The property also includes the Harry J. Enns Wetland Discovery Centre, which offers year-round programming for the public.

It’s a perfect setting for Konzelman, a retired meteorologist who is passionate about education and the outdoors.

“I enjoy showing kids how interesting nature is,” he says. “I like it when they light up and they see how amazing these things are and how powerful they are when you see them up close.”

Maggie Katzeley, Konzelman’s wife, enjoys volunteering at Oak Hammock Marsh for similar reasons.

“I really enjoy meeting and chatting with the visitors,” says Katzeley, a retired nurse. “I also enjoy ongoing camaraderie with other volunteers. There’s a good group of people there.”

In addition to making bannock and doing face-painting at special events, Katzeley serves at fundraising banquets and assembles birdhouse kits that are sold in the gift shop.

“It’s always nice when the kids and adults get excited about an activity,” she says. “Some of them come back to various events and they say ‘hi’ because they recognized you. It’s kind of nice that way.”

For Evan Propp, volunteering at Oak Hammock Marsh has been a great way to get outdoors. The 23-year-old moved to Winnipeg from Edmonton late last year and started volunteering a few months later at the suggestion of one of his roommates.

“I recognized it as a place I could relax, enjoy the nature and wildlife and wind down after spending time in the city,” says Propp, who works at a museum.

Propp has helped in a variety of areas, including greeting visitors, assisting staff with projects and taking pictures at events.

“Volunteering at Oak Hammock Marsh doesn’t feel like work to me,” he says. “It’s a way to connect with people and it’s a way to relax.”

Established by Ducks Unlimited and the Manitoba government, Oak Hammock Marsh is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year.

The organization is not accepting new volunteers at this time, but encourages people to check oakhammockmarsh.ca in the spring.

“If you find relaxation being outside with people or on your own, Oak Hammock can be a very meaningful place,” Propp says.

Katzeley agrees.

“It’s a great place to volunteer,” she says.

If you know a special volunteer, please contact aaron.epp@gmail.com.

Aaron Epp

Aaron Epp
Reporter

Aaron Epp reports on business for the Free Press. After freelancing for the paper for a decade, he joined the staff full-time in 2024. Read more about Aaron.

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