Message from Minister of
Conservation and Water Stewardship

Conservation and Water Stewardship is committed to delivering programs and services that result in a clean,healthy and diverse natural environment for current and future generations. Our website outlines how we manage and protect the province's environment, fisheries, forests, parks, water and wildlife, working cooperatively with First Nations and other Aboriginal communities, and many stakeholders, to balance the environmental, social, and economic needs of Manitobans.

Conserving our natural beauty and providing affordable
recreational opportunities
Manitoba's natural beauty is available for all to see in a network of provincial parks, wildlife management areas, and other natural lands. Our parks are among the most affordable in the country, and visitors
in 2012 will see improvements across the province. The province will invest to further enhance recreational opportunities in provincial parks for Manitobans. Manitoba is also home to more than 80 Wildlife Management Areas, which conserve almost 2 million hectares (5 million acres) of land for wildlife and people. These lands are used year-round for hunting, trapping and wildlife viewing, in world-famous places like Oak Hammock, Narcisse and Churchill.

Protecting our freshwater resources for current and future Manitobans
Manitoba recognizes the critical role that water plays in the environmental, economic and social well-being of Manitobans, and is committed to maintaining an abundance of high quality water to meet present and future needs. The department provides programs that protect Lake Winnipeg and all Manitoba’s lakes and rivers from waste and pollution, manage fisheries, and ensure that our watersheds are managed effectively.

Making it easier to dispose of household hazardous waste
Manitoba is working with local and national stewardship organizations to expand its household hazardous waste disposal programs. Programs are in place to safely dispose of oil, oil filters and oil containers, antifreeze and containers, tires, packaging and printed paper, farm chemicals, mercury thermostats, paint, fluorescent lights and cell phone. More programs are in development, to help Manitobans keep these products out of landfills through recycling and safe disposal.

Working with Aboriginal people
Conservation and Water Stewardship is building stronger working relationships with Aboriginal people. The East Side Traditional Lands Planning and Special Protected Areas Act enables communities to develop traditional area land use plans. The Wabanong Nakaygum Okimawin (WNO) planning initiative is bringing together local communities, First Nations, industry and environmental organizations on the East Side of Lake Winnipeg, to develop a vision for land and resource use that respects both the value of the boreal forest and the needs of local communities.

I invite you to explore this site to discover what we are doing and how you can contribute to our efforts. A number of major upgrades to this website are underway, so please visit often.

Gord Mackintosh, Minister
Conservation and Water Stewardship