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Natural Features in the area:
- very flat, rolling hills covered mostly with grass

- some trees near rivers, some small forest areas

- marsh located just south of Douglas

Wild Animals in this area:

Domestic Animals in this area:
-cats
-dogs
-hamsters
- horses
-typical pet animals

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Climate of this community:
     Winter: snow ( blizzards ) average temp. -20'C, colder at night
     Spring: chilly, rainy, melting snow, but it freezes at night
     Summer: usually hot. Average temp. 20 - 30'C
     Fall: chilly at night and in the mornings, warmer in the day, some rain and frost

Population of this community: about 140 people live in the village of Douglas. Lots of people live in the area surrounding Douglas.

How is the land used in this community:
- most of the land in Douglas is used for farming. There are grain farms, dairy farms, PMU farms, sheep farms, mixed farms ( both crops and animals )

  Grain Elevator

Other natural/artificial features which are outside the community but important to your community:
- nearby is Brandon. Most of people's shopping is done there. Many people drive to Brandon to go to work

- Canadian Forces Base Shilo is located 10 minutes south of Douglas

- Sprucewoods Provincial park is about 45 minutes east of Douglas

Biggest threat to the natural habitat in your community:
Pollution is probably our biggest threat. We see many different types of pollution around Douglas: smoke, garbage, and oily things in the marsh. Another threat is grass fires when it is very dry.

New houses being built destroy our natural habitat. The new Maple Leaf Hog Plant was built last year destroying a lot of natural environment.

COMMUNITY HISTORY

Early inhabitants of your area:
The first people to live around this area were the Native Americans. The Dakota - Ojibway live round here. The pioneers came next.

What attracted people to this area:
The very good soil for growing crops attracted people to this area. The Canadian Pacific Railway came through Douglas and brought more people.

Describe your community in its successive stages of development:

First there were pioneers. Houses were spread out. Once the railway came stores, a hotel, and homes were built. People shopped in Douglas because it would take all day to get to Brandon by horse and wagon. Once cars and highways were built, it didn't take long to get to Brandon. More people drove to Brandon, so the hotels and stores closed because they didn't make enough money. A small store and homes are all that are left today.

How  your community and community life changed since it was established:

More houses have been built. Some of the older houses are being fixed up.

People now have electricity, running water, and telephones.

MEETING THE NEEDS AND WANTS OF YOUR COMMUNITY

Needs and wants are met by:
Most people ravel to Brandon for the things they need. ( food, clothing, entertainment )

In Shilo, you can shop for groceries, clothes, hardware. There is also a theater, pool, and a bowling alley.

Most people work in Shilo, Brandon, or Carberry.

Needs and wants fulfilled outside the community:
If people go outside our community area ( Brandon, Carberry, Shilo ) they travel to Winnipeg. ( 2 hours east of Douglas )

Winnipeg is the capital city of Manitoba and is a bigger city than Brandon. People go to shop, and go for entertainment. The major airport is located in Winnipeg.

Areas your community has changed and how:
Our community has become less self sufficient over the years that it has existed. People travel to Brandon to get what they need or want.

All that is left in Douglas is a school, a rink/hall, and the store. People live in our area, but most shopping, entertainment, and employment happen in Brandon.