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Starting a fire with flint

Outdoor Education Center

Visit the Outdoor Education Centre and Ranges approximately 9.8 kms southwest of Lac du Bonnet at #185, Provincial Road 214 (Milner Ridge Road)

About the Outdoor Education Centre

Safety

Education

Recreation

The Outdoor Education Centre (OEC) is a unique venue designed to give Conservation students an opportunity to experience hands on involvement in programs that introduce them to the outdoors and outdoor skills.

A multi-purpose facility is being constructed to allow us to deliver educational programs in conservation, focusing on outdoor skills, safety, and other natural resource-based programs. The OEC provides a complete set of archery, trap, and shooting ranges constructed in accordance with the range design and guidelines of the Canadian Firearms Centre.

The skills learned at the centre will enable students to enjoy the many outdoor recreational opportunities this country has to offer. It is our hope that the participants will not only learn a skill but become ambassadors of wildlife conservation

Benefits of the OEC

The OEC is unique. No such facility exits in the area to provide outdoor skills education, hands-on recreational opportunities, and the safe delivery of organized shooting sports.

The RM of Lac du Bonnet Recreational Needs and Facilities Assessment identified the need for nature and outdoor education especially amongst children and youth. The OEC focuses on youth. The skills learned at the center will enable students to enjoy the many outdoor recreational opportunities this country has to offer.

The OEC connects people and nature through recreation as per Goal 3 of Canada’s Framework for Recreation.

The OEC addresses environmental and safety concerns associated with the ad hoc use of gravel pits and trails for target shooting.

The OEC contributes significantly to the local economy by drawing visitors to the area who make local purchases here as a result.

A decommissioned waste disposal site has undergone reclamation to repurpose it to a recreational area and education centre, eliminating an unsightly area that was not suitable for other purposes.

Outdoor Education Centre & Ranges

Education Centre Phase One Tour

Video produced by Nolan Sawatsky from the Manitoba Wildlife Federation

Completed During
Phase One

Small Arms Range Shed
Small Arms Range

200-meter Rifle Range (.308 cal template group), Covered Firing Line Shed, Shooting Benches, firearm stands.

25-meter Small Arms Range (.357 S&W mag template grouping), Covered Firing Line Shed, Shooting Benches, firearm stands.

Trap Range (max 7 ½ size shot).

30-meter Archery Range (with raised shooting platform)

Related Enclosures and storage.

Washroom.

Parking Lot.

Bear Proof Garbage and Recycling at parking lot.

Ranges are constructed in accordance with the range design and guidelines of the Canadian Firearms Centre

OEC Phase Two

Construction of the OEC Multi-Purpose Building was completed in the fall of 2024, with the exception of the interior finishing which will be done in spring 2025. The 40’ x 40’ building will include:

A large multi-purpose classroom/meeting room with audio visual equipment

Kitchen facilities complete with food service capabilities

An outdoor cooking area

Fully accessible washrooms

Equipment storage and maintenance area

Wildlife/Fisheries interpretive displays

Thank You to Our Sponsors & Volunteers

The accomplishments reached so far for the OEC and Ranges could not have been done without the support of our many sponsors and volunteers.

The financial generosity of so many groups and individuals has been amazing. Literally, thousands of hours have been put into this project by volunteers, and we can’t say enough how much we appreciate the commitment!

Thank you one and all!

While our progress so far has been good there is still a lot that needs to be done to bring the project to full fruition. Please consider volunteering some of your time to help us out or consider making a monetary donation! Financial donations to the OEC and Ranges project are tax deductible!

Construction worker standing in front of the worksite
Building the education center
Building a wall for the education center
Education Centre Construction Crew

Our OEC Donors & Sponsors

Visionary $10,000+

  • Fish and Wildlife Enhancement Fund
  • Manitoba Government – Building Sustainable Communities
  • Bass Pro Shops & Cabela’s Outdoor Fund
  • Rural Municipality of Lac Du Bonnet
  • Lac du Bonnet Lions Club
  • Tanco Mining
  • Scott Jones

Leaders$5,000–$9,999

  • Manitoba Lodge and Outfitters Association
  • Beausejour Consumers Co-operative
  • Randy Thiessen

Champions$2,000–$4,999

  • Arsenault Trucking
  • Jackson Trucking
  • Harvey Lausman/Surveying
  • Hometown Sausage
  • Dwight Gelhorn
  • Herbert Schmolke
  • Dennis McGuffin

Believers$1,000–$1,999

  • Bill Chipka/Drafting
  • Wayne & Linda Leonard
  • Louis Lansard
  • Art St Amant
  • G&C Sochaski
  • Lac du Bonnet Ice Fishing Derby

Supporters$500–$999

  • Yuma Rents.
  • M – View Insurance
  • Gerry Arbez
  • Minsky Trucking (James & Jamie)

OthersUp to $499

  • Joseph Cinq-Mars
  • E&M Hiebert