Land Designation
Wildlife Management Area
Landscape Description
Observation Point Wildlife Management Area is made up of a patchwork of boreal forest, exposed Precambrian bedrock, and wetlands. It lies to the south of the community of Manigotagan. The protected portion of Observation Point Wildlife Management Area encompasses 6,010 hectares including over 10 kilometres of shoreline along the east side of Lake Winnipeg. These protected lands are free from logging, mining, hydroelectric development, oil and gas development, and any other activities that could significantly and adversely affect habitat. The total size of the wildlife management area is 6,530 hectares.
Outstanding Features
Observation Point is bounded in the south by a ridge of trembling aspen and balsam fir nestled along the bank of the meandering Sandy River. To the west, it follows the shore of Lake Winnipeg, protecting a significant tract of beach and adjacent backshore habitat. Extensive natural wetlands, remnants from the retreat of glacial Lake Agassiz, cover more than 2,500 hectares of this wildlife management area. Restricted drainage resulting from exposed glacial sediments created vast expanses of bogs and fens. Black spruce is the dominant tree species in the area today.
This area has been used by generations of Aboriginal people and continues to be important for hunting, fishing, trapping, and traditional activities for neighbouring communities, such as Hollow Water First Nation, Manigotagan, Aghaming, and Seymourville.
Observation Point provides habitat for woodland caribou, moose, black bear, and timber wolves. Other boreal forest wildlife found in the area include red bats, lynx, ermine, fisher, mink, beaver, muskrat, and snowshoe hare. The site attracts a great variety of migrant birds, including bald eagles and sandhill cranes, in addition to many year-round residents such as great gray owls, Manitoba’s provincial bird.
Observation Point Wildlife Management Area was established to conserve biodiversity, and to enhance and protect natural habitat. The protected portion is categorized as an IUCN (World Conservation Union) protected area management category II, that is, a protected area managed mainly for ecosystem protection and recreation. The remaining unprotected wildlife management area is categorized as an IUCN category VI, that is, an area managed mainly for the sustainable use of natural ecosystems. |
