About Us

Parkland Mews is a registered Canadian charity located in Manitoba Canada. The organization was founded in 1994 and Robert Wheeldon serves as the Executive Director.

The concept for a bird of prey organization first materialized in July of 1994. By years end we were incorporated and received charitable status from Revenue Canada. We also secured a long-term management agreement with the City of Winnipeg for a portion of a nature park on the outskirts of the city to be set-aside for our purposes. The setting includes a dwelling for the on-site manager.

In 1995 funding became available for a full time staff member to manage and promote the organization. Additional funds were obtained for hiring summer students for development of the site. That same year Parkland Mews made it possible for an aerial survey to be undertaken of Manitoba to assess the numbers of breeding Peregrines in the province as part of a national Peregrine Falcon Recovery effort. Staff also monitored young falcon chicks destined for release at an urban site in Winnipeg.

Education forms a major part of our operation. It became necessary to complete the very involved process of creating new regulations under the Manitoba Wildlife Act before birds of prey were permitted for use in flying demonstrations in the school program. During the period between 1995 and 1998 we worked with politicians, senior government staff and the public at large to introduce falconry to Manitoba. Students in Manitoba are now able to witness trained birds of prey free flying as part of the science curriculum.

Having achieved the means to support our education endeavors, it was equally important to maintain our conservation efforts on behalf of the Peregrine Falcon. Therefore in 1999 Parkland Mews set a new initiative in the form of a proposal to Manitoba Conservation expressing our willingness to undertake a recovery action. In January 2000 permits were issued under the Endangered Species Act allowing Parkland Mews to hold Peregrine Falcons. That same year we were able to raise enough money to purchase four Peregrine Falcon chicks and build facilities in which to hold and maintain them.

In 2001 an additional female was added to the existing nucleus of birds for use in the breeding program. Further expansion of the Parkland Mews resources took shape in the form of a Peregrine Falcon release tower, which was constructed on site courtesy of Manitoba Hydro.

This last year has been even more rewarding. In recognition of our ability to achieve the desired results, Manitoba Conservation requested Parkland Mews to produce both a Peregrine Falcon Recovery Plan and a Peregrine Falcon Recovery Strategy. Manitoba Conservation also stated the requirement that the 1999 Parkland Mews Peregrine proposal be used as the basis of the formal recovery plan and strategy. Final drafts of the plan and strategy were completed at the end of 2002 and are ready for a formal printing.

The latest review concerning the status of Peregrines across Canada indicates an increase in numbers of Peregrines in some jurisdictions and a decrease in others. Manitoba is one such area where the Peregrine is still in a precarious situation. The issue is important for at least two reasons: Firstly, while the Peregrine is showing a decline in Manitoba, there is for the first time a recovery plan and strategy developed in a partnership between Manitoba Conservation and Parkland Mews which details an in province solution. This solution is based in part on the successful recovery model employed in other jurisdictions and the specialized skills available through the resources of Parkland Mews. Secondly, the Peregrine Falcon has always been regarded as a rare but indigenous nesting species within the province and as such is worth preserving as part of Manitoba’s natural history.

Below is our brochure saved in jpeg format for you to download or print from your own computer.