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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.
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