Manitoba Heritage Marsh Program

Manitoba's large marshes are a legacy. If lost, they can never be replaced. The benefits provided to Manitobans from these unique areas are substantial and not confined to wildlife production and use. On the contrary, the greatest worth of marshes stems from their value in stabilizing and maintaining ecosystems.

What is it?

The Manitoba Heritage Marsh Program was established to bring together conservation partners in Manitoba to work together in conserving major Manitoba marshes. Under the Heritage Marsh program, Government and private conservation groups work together purchasing or designating land as Heritage Marshes. These same agencies provide funds to maintain and enhance these Heritage Marshes.

Benefits

• Manitoba's marshland heritage will be conserved for future generations of Manitobans and a marshland legacy will be officially recognized. 
• Valuable wildlife and fish habitat will be conserved.
• Agricultural land use benefits will result including groundwater recharge, nutrient retention, pollution control, flood control, erosion control and watershed maintenance.
• Direct economic return will be generated to guides, outfitters, fisherman, trappers and other local people whose economic existence and traditional life-styles are dependent on wetland systems.
• Personnel, funds and resources of cooperating agencies will be coordinated most efficiently.
• Manitoba Land Use Policies will be implemented directly.
• Public awareness and involvement in land use planning will be improved.
• The principle of stewardship of natural resources will be promoted.

Selection of a Heritage Marsh

Marshes identified for possible inclusion in the Heritage Marsh Program have been selected because of one or more of the following characteristics.

• They have significant values for many species of wildlife and fish.
• They provide important recreational, economic or educational benefits to adjacent communities. Several of the candidate marshes are the only major marsh in the particular region.
• Historic land use conflicts have resulted in degradation of the wildlife production potential and the future of the marsh is in jeopardy.
• The Province of Manitoba already holds a major interest in the areas by virtue of the amount of Crown land present.
• They represent areas of joint interest to the major participants of the program and other wildlife conservation organizations.

Quick Access

- Species At Risk
- Biodiversity Conservation
- Monitoring
- Habitat Management
- Big Game Species Monitoring