The white spruce has been part of Manitoba's natural history for thousands of years.

Retreat of the Glaciers

The continental glaciers began to retreat about 12,000 years ago and vast tracts of land were exposed once again. But the rock and debris deposited by the moraines was barren and harsh.

The glaciers left an inconsistent landscape in south-western and central Manitoba. In places the topography was gently rolling and in others, the moraines created uplands and hilly features which were ideal conditions for the white spruce.

Assiniboine Delta

Meanwhile, in the vicinity of what is Spruce Woods Provincial Park today, the huge Assiniboine Delta was carrying meltwater into Glacial Lake Agassiz and depositing fine sand over a large area of south-central Manitoba.

Ancient winds shaped these sand deposits into 6 to 30 metre sand dunes along the shoreline. These deposits would eventually create ideal white spruce and dry prairie habitat which is now a treasured ecoregion in the province.

Visit the park and see the dunes from the Spirit Sands/Devil's Punch Bowl trails.