Canadian Nature Federation
412-63 Albert Street, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada R3B 1G4
Phone : 204-944-9593 Fax: 204-947-3076 E-mail: gwhelan@web.ca
Release May 30, 2003
Manitoba Falters in Protected Areas Establishment — Again.
Manitobans and Political Parties Support Immediate Action
The annual Manitoba protected areas grade
was released in Winnipeg today by the Manitoba Wildlands Campaign office,
Canadian
Nature
Federation.
Observers were not surprised that Manitoba received a low D – grade,
given
the province’s lack of action over the last year to establish new protected
areas. No new protected areas have been established in the province since 2001,
with no increase in ‘representation’ of natural region landscapes
since 2000.
Recent government commitments, and public policies pledge completion of Manitoba’s
network of protected areas. Yet staff, budget allocation, and technical capacity
have eroded. Over 100 areas in the province are currently under review for protected
status. Hydro development intentions in Manitoba’s boreal forest regions
will impact ability to establish protected areas, and risk the future of existing
protected lands.
“Recent polling reveals that 91% of Manitobans support action to establish
new protected areas in our province,” said Gaile Whelan Enns, Manitoba
Director, Wildlands Campaign, Canadian Nature Federation. “All four political
parties in the current election support completing Manitoba’s network of
protected areas. Manitobans want to see action to protect our natural heritage
start on June 4 – the day after the election!”
The definition of a protected area in Manitoba’s Action Plan for a Network of Protected Areas is
an area that is “closed by legal means to logging, mining, hydroelectric
development or any other activity that significantly affects habitat.”
See attached assessment for details of protected areas grade.
For mapping, Manitoba protected areas information, government commitments,
previous protected areas grades (chart over ten years), CNF election
survey go to: www.manitobawildlands.org
Contact: Gaile Whelan Enns, Manitoba Director, Wildlands Campaign, Canadian Nature Federation
Office: 204-947-3400