Manitoba's park reserves

Piping plover by Gordon Court.

The park reserve process was designed by the Manitoba government and sets out to determine a land use designation for a selected area. Through this process the provincial government is required to conduct consultations with all affected First Nations as well as attain input from the public and industry stakeholders. There are currently 13 park reserves in Manitoba, all of which are temporarily protected from industrial activity for a set period of time.
The Fisher Bay park reserve began a second period of interim protection in 2005, preserving this beautiful wilderness until 2010. However, the proposed additions to the area for consideration in designating an Ochiwasahow (Fisher Bay) provincial park are presently not protected from industrial developments.

Manitoba’s government has been slow to deal with protected areas and park reserves, putting few resources towards preserving more natural areas. Of all the park reserves nominated by First Nations, none have yet been granted permanent protection. The Manitoba government’s Protected Area Initiative program currently has 168 areas listed for
possible preservation, but little work is being done towards permanent protection.

We must all express our opinions to government, letting them know we feel about committing substantial resources
towards protecting wild spaces and natural areas, so that we might build a healthy future for the next generations of Manitobans.