Parks, Protected Areas and Recreational Spaces
A wealth of natural wonders
From the tundra of Wapusk National Park to the boreal shield of Atikaki Wilderness Park to the semi-desert of Spruce Woods Provincial Park, Manitoba boasts a diverse natural landscape.
We are working hard to preserve our pristine wilderness areas for future generations while providing sustainable access to natural areas for Manitobans to enjoy today.
Our network of protected areas includes:
- 14 park reserves
- 28 provincial parks protected in whole or in part
- 44 wildlife management areas protected in whole or in part
- 21 ecological reserves
- 2 provincial forests
- 2 national parks
Manigotagan River Provincial Park was designated in December 2004 and features a River Stewards program that trains local people to care for the river while gaining valuable ecotourism skills.
Brokenhead Wetland Ecological Reserve was designated in June 2005 and contains 28 of Manitoba's 36 species of orchids as well as traditional medicinal plants and carnivorous plants. In the 1990s, this unique wetland was threatened with a proposed drainage project. Today - in partnership with Brokenhead Ojibway Nation, Native Orchid Conservation Inc., Riverside Gravel and the Manitoba government - the area has been granted Manitoba's highest level of protection as an ecological reserve.
Seeing Green in our natural spaces
In addition to designating five new provincial parks and expanding one other since 1999, the government has moved significantly on new ecological reserves, granting five special sites this highest level of protection. Private lands were recognized as part of Manitoba's network of protected areas for the first time through Memoranda of Agreement with the Nature Conservancy of Canada and the Manitoba Naturalists, protecting endangered tall grass prairie and associated ecosystems in southern Manitoba.
Both inside and outside of parks and protected areas, Manitoba's wildlife needs special protection.
- In 2000, legislation was passed to ban the practice of penned hunting of wild animals.
- In 2002 legislation was passed to better protect our polar bears.
- Special management plans have been developed for species that the province designates as threatened.
- Ecological reserves, such as Little George Island, have been specifically designated to protect nesting birds such as the Caspian Tern.
- A Watchable Wildlife program has been launched to provide better opportunities for Manitobans and visitors to learn about our wide range of wildlife species - from garter snakes to polar bears
Manitoba has an extensive network of trails for walking, hiking, biking and skiing. Since 1999, investments have been made in approximately 60 new and existing trails, including the Trans Canada Trail. Not only do these trails help us explore Manitoba's natural beauty, they also help us maintain a healthy lifestyle. In addition, recreational trails provide opportunities for local communities to promote tourism and ecotourism.
The Recreational Trail Property Owners Protection Act was recently passed to make it easier to create and maintain trails on private lands. In the coming years, Manitoba's network of trails will continue to be enhanced with a special focus on urban trails and green spaces.
Manitobans are also avid campers and the government has improved more than 300 camping spaces since 1999 - expanding opportunities for enjoyment of our natural environment.
The nature of future initiatives
The Manitoba government, along with local First Nations and the governments of Ontario and Canada, has announced support for the nomination of a UNESCO World Heritage site on the east side of Lake Winnipeg. The area encompasses traditional territories, along with Atikaki Wilderness Park and land on the Ontario side of the border.
UNESCO seeks to encourage identification, protection and preservation of cultural and natural heritage around the world considered to be of outstanding value to humanity. There are only 13 World Heritage sites in Canada and achieving this designation for Manitoba would bring us worldwide attention and boost our ecotourism credentials.
We will build on our natural treasures by:
- setting the goal of permanently designating five new, major protected areas by 2010
- continuing to increase the number of ecological reserves, adding to the five designated since 1999, as well as designating new wildlife management areas
- expanding the number of rivers with special status, including designation of the Hayes as a Canadian heritage river
- introducing new special protection and management designations that recognize unique areas such as Little Limestone Lake, the traditional territories of Little Grand and Pauingassi First Nations, sacred sites and urban green spaces
- building on the foundation of ecotourism training, offered since 2002 at Keewatin Community College, and further promoting ecotourism opportunities throughout the province
- working with the City of Winnipeg to expand our network of urban trails, including multi-use trails along the newly expanded floodway and trails from downtown to the University of Manitoba that will be part of the Winnipeg Capital Region WinSmart travel corridor initiative
- expanding and enhancing provincial park facilities including campgrounds and trails
Additional Resources
