Author: Daphne Stapley

This author has written 4 articles
Read more about the article Bio Blitz

Bio Blitz

What is BioBlitz?

From May to June golf courses around the globe will engage members to collect biodiversity evidence of plant and animal species in the natural habitats on golf courses. ** Includes a photo contest!

Why does this matter?

BioBlitz shines a light on the environmental value that our golf course contributes to climate science while enhancing the golf experience and increasing efficiency and sustainability.

How can we participate in BioBlitz at Niakwa?

Join the Biodiversity Walk led by Daphne Stapley to track and count plant species and wildlife that supports research and fulfills NCC Audubon Certification commitments.

How to register?

Register on the Event Calendar online or sign up in the Pro Shop. Meet at the Back Shop for the Walk.

Read more about the article Pond Water

Pond Water

Niakwa’s ponds are an important irrigation feature for our golf course. Water entering and leaving the property is tested twice annually and we are grateful to have partnered with the Manitoba Metis Federation and EMFluids inc. in trialling a water treatment tool in our ponds.

The two-year trial involved water testing before and after use of the EMFluids technology in our ponds. Ten water quality metrics were measured as well as sediment analysis. We experienced significant overall improvement in water quality including a 60% and 70% reduction in total phosphorous in each pond and a 42% and 49% reduction in ammonium in each pond. This type of technology will be an important consideration in preserving the integrity Niakwa’s water system.

Read more about the article How do Niakwa honey bees spend the winter

How do Niakwa honey bees spend the winter

During the golf season, Niakwa bees pollinate plants throughout the golf course and deliver vintage honey in the fall. But how do Niakwa bees survive winter in Manitoba?

Honey bees do not hibernate, like bears, or brumate, like reptiles. Honey bees remain busy and awake throughout the winter living a slower-paced life, spending much of their time flapping their wings to create heat, clustered close together
~ like many over-winter golfers!
To protect the bees from our challenging winters their hives have mouse guards installed on the entrances and the hive body is wrapped in insulation.

Honey bees suffer greatly when too much condensation forms in their hives so paper inner covers are added and airflow is maintained with open entrances and loose layers of insulation.

A large wind barrier has been added made of recycled building materials to prevent drafts. Finally, an insulated tarp is draped over all the hives to prevent snow accumulation near the entrances as well as for insulation.

Read more about the article From Bees to Honey

From Bees to Honey

One of the first signs of fall is the harvesting of honey! Once the bees have filled the frames in their honey supers and covered them in a white wax cap it is time to prepare to harvest.

An escape board is used to separate the bees from their honey, the bees can move down through the maze into the brood chamber (the lower boxes where they live). The board is placed between the supers and brood chambers and after a few days the bees should have left and the frames of honey can be removed.

Once the bees have left the honey supers through the escape boards the frames of honey can be removed.

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First the honey is tested using a refractometer, the refractometer measures how light passes through a fluid to determine its moisture content and therefore its ripeness.

If honey is bottled while unripe it can spoil.

The honey is brought to the kitchen for processing where the wax capping is removed with a warm knife, this is known as uncapping.

The uncapped honey is placed in the extractor which spins the frames launching the honey out onto the walls of the extractor, the honey is then passed through a two stage filter and is ready to eat!