Big new Manitoba parks announced

Updated

Today, the Manitoba government announced 2 new parks with a combined size larger than Prince Edward Island.

CPAWS commends the involved First Nations and the Manitoba government for their efforts to protect these precious Boreal lands and waters.

In May 2010, CPAWS showcased the Colvin and Nueltin Lake areas as important conservation opportunities and asked Manitobans to voice their support for park protection.  Citizens responded by sending their comments to the government in support of establishing the new parks.  

 “For those of us working toward large-scale protection of Manitoba’s Boreal Region, and for all Manitobans, this is a tremendous victory,” said Ron Thiessen, Executive Director of the CPAWS Manitoba chapter. “The new parks are great step toward realizing protection of at least half of Manitoba’s Boreal Wilderness Region, the minimum amount required to ensure it remains a fully functioning part of Earth’s life’s support system.”

The Boreal Region is Earth\'s largest source of fresh water and the northern lungs of the planet. 

About the upcoming parks

The Colvin Lake area, Nueltin Lake area, and islands of Lake Winnipegosis are...

• part of Manitoba\'s Boreal Region;
• home to caribou, moose, black bears, wolverines, otters, mink, and migratory birds like loons, eagles, and plovers;
• amazing carbon banks – the huge amounts of carbon stored in their soils helps slow climate change.

What you can do:

Please take a moment to thank Premier Selinger and Conservation Minister Blaikie for securing the health of these boreal lands.