During 2010 two new parks were established in natural region 1a, for a combined total of 610,260 hectares of new protected lands and waters. A small addition totaling 1600 hectares was made in the transition of Birch island from Park Reserve to Park.

"While we saw two new protected areas established during 2010, Manitoba's forested boreal regions continue to lack protected areas. And there continues to be no new protected lands in the scope of the future world heritage site on the east side. 2010 was another year when the work plan for intended new protected areas was not fulfilled," commented Gaile Whelan Enns, director of Manitoba Wildlands.

Release of the Protected Areas Audit is followed by the annual protected areas grade for Manitoba.