As autumn heads towards winter Northlands Parkway Collegiate students were invited to help clean up Winkler’s Discovery Nature Sanctuary (DNS).

Located between Eastview Drive and Circle K drive in Winkler’s East end, the grade ten biology students were tasked with picking up garbage around the 32-acre sanctuary, as well as removing non-native invasive plant species.

This included the removal of sweet clover (Melilotus officinalis), and cutting down Siberian elms (Ulmus pumila).

Paul Goossen Board Chair for DNS said getting youth involved helps show them a world beyond an LED screen.

Students from NPC were tasked with cleaning up the sanctuary, collecting garbage and removing invasive species like sweet clover

"Someone has termed it a nature deficit. People don't get out as much because they're glued to their television, iPods, or cell phones. It’s great to have kids to come out and see this amazing special place."

Goossen noted the sanctuary for students is also a place where they can make application to what they have been learning in the classroom.

Justin Pauls one the students said having a nature sanctuary was a way to help protect our local wildlife. He also said being able to clean the sanctuary with friends around was a great opportunity as well as being fun.

Interest in the park has been well received by residents online, Goossen said they've been backed by the city council as the board begin plans for future development of the area.

DNS has plans for further development of the trails, a discovery dock, bird boxes, benches, resting shelter, planting native plants and trees, and creating a pollinator garden.

The sanctuary has also been working alongside A Rocha.

A Rocha Director at the Pembina Valley Interpretive Centre Jamie Fox said working with DNS was a great fit.

"Part of our mission is to help people to enjoy, understand, explore creation and understand our place in it. If we can take a part in this, it’s a way to help people enjoy nature and learn to love it."