June 17, 2011
The Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (CPAWS) is cheering the protection of a huge area of Manitoba’s Boreal Forest that was announced by the provincial government today. The ancient and largely undisturbed wilderness, about 20 times the size of Winnipeg, was legally protected from industrial activities such as logging, mining, and hydro developments.
The vast area on the east side of Lake Winnipeg is home to Poplar River First Nation, which led the conservation initiative.
“Congratulations to Poplar River First Nation for their hard work and determination to safeguard part of the world’s largest intact section of Boreal Forest. We also applaud the Manitoba government, environmental groups, and Manitoba citizens for supporting large-scale wilderness protection in the region,” said an exuberant Ron Thiessen, Executive Director of the Manitoba chapter of CPAWS.
Through a provincial campaign, CPAWS has educated and inspired tens of thousands of Manitobans to voice their support for protection of the east side of Lake Winnipeg.
“This is a great day in Manitoba history,” Thiessen added. “CPAWS is proud to work with all involved to permanently protect the web of life in our great Boreal wilderness.”
The Boreal is the world’s largest source of fresh water and the northern lungs of the planet. As only about 1/5th of the world’s original forests remain intact, protecting the region on the east side of Lake Winnipeg has positive environmental implications across the globe.
For more information:
Ron Thiessen – 204 794 4971 or 204 453 6346
Manitoba government press release
Poplar River First Nation management plan
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