April 29, 2003
The Manitoba government is taking further steps to protect the province’s valuable protected areas network, Manitoba Conservation Minister Steve Ashton announced today.
Initiatives that contribute to the protection and sustainable use of natural areas include:
"Provincial parks enhance both our social and economic well-being, with over five million visitors enjoying our parks each year," said Ashton. "Parks provide an important link to our cultural heritage, while providing excellent recreational and adventure travel opportunities to both Manitobans and visitors from around the world."
Located south of Wallace Lake in eastern Manitoba, South Atikaki is Manitoba’s newest provincial park, offering numerous eco-tourism attractions including canoeing, hiking and camping in pristine wilderness. The minister noted that this joins other recent park additions including Pembina Valley, Caribou River and Trappist Monastery.
"This 14,000 hectare park provides the only Manitoba land access route to the main canoeing rivers in Atikaki, Manitoba’s premiere wilderness park," said Ashton. "The park will maintain habitat for Woodland caribou for the future and is a key part of our action plan for protected areas which sets down important ecological principles, protection and design standards, objectives and timelines for the creation of a Network of Protected Areas."
Ashton also announced that the province has created the Criddle/Vane Homestead Park Reserve. The site is the former homestead of the Criddle and Vane families, Manitoba pioneers well-known for their contributions in the fields of science, art, sports and culture. The site is also significant to insect researchers for long-term scientific study.
The government has also developed the River Stewards Pilot Project, offering courses in sustainable tourism practices, eco-tourism program design and delivery, guiding skills and first aid for over 15 individuals in eastern Manitoba.
"Eco-tourism is the fastest growing tourism sector in the province, and provides long-term benefits to the environment as well as the economic future of our communities," said Culture, Heritage and Tourism Minister Eric Robinson. "This training program will create a qualified workforce in the region while continuing to develop the eco-tourism industry in Manitoba."
Four graduates of the program will be hired by Manitoba Conservation for 18 weeks to act as river stewards in the Manigotagan River Park Reserve. Working with Manitoba Conservation staff, they will assist in the delivery of various park programs. Other graduates plan to start their own eco-tourism businesses or find work with existing companies.
Funding has been provided by Manitoba Culture, Heritage and Tourism, Manitoba Conservation, Manitoba Advanced Education and Training, the Winnipeg River Brokenhead Community Futures Development Corporation, The Manitoba Model Forest Association, Little Black First Nation and Hollow Water First Nation.
Park reserves are designated lands that contribute to the protection of natural areas or areas with significant cultural, historical or outdoor recreation value. The minister noted that 8.3 per cent of Manitoba’s land base is now under protected status and all or portions of 22 wildlife management areas have been legally protected and added to the network of protected areas.
"I would like to thank all of the First Nations communities who continue to work with the province to identify and protect unique natural regions throughout Manitoba," said Ashton. "This process can only be successful with the ongoing participation of environmental organizations, the mining and forestry sectors and input from the general public. We are committed to representing all of Manitoba’s natural regions in our system of provincial parks and protected areas."
Extension of the protected status for the 198,000-hectare Amisk Park Reserve is expected to be complete in the near future.
For more information on provincial parks and natural areas in Manitoba, visit http://www.gov.mb.ca/conservation/parks/index.html. For more information on adventure tourism in Manitoba, visit http://www.travelmanitoba.com.
- 30 -
RETURN