The annual Protected Areas Audit is based on publicly available government data and is an annual statistical analysis of protected lands in Manitoba. A 'protected area' refers to lands formally protected from development (hydroelectric, mining, forestry, roads, and any other activity that would cause significant alteration of habitat) through Manitoba regulations or formal agreement for private lands.

Gaile Whelan Enns, Manitoba Wildlands director, expressed disappointment about the loss of protected lands and the lack of government progress in relation to its work plan "When lands are removed from protected status - regardless of the reason - the government has a social and political responsibility to compensate by establishing protection elsewhere. Government has laid out plans that commit it to consultations and technical work that precede legal protection and it is just not following through."