January 30, 2025
This blog was originally published as a op-ed on Jan 30, 2025 in The Winnipeg Free Press.
For generations, Manitobans have found great meaning in the lands and waters that shape our province.
The golden prairies stretching beneath endless skies, the deep boreal forests humming with life, and the quiet, steady flow of our rivers are more than just landscapes — they are part of our identity.
Families gather at remote lakeshores to cast their lines at dawn, hunters walk familiar trails that have been passed down for centuries and paddlers glide through still waters that have carried stories for millennia.
Our natural areas provide not only sustenance but also solace, recreation and connection. They also provide spaces for hunting, gathering and angling. Ensuring enough of these areas remain intact is a shared responsibility to preserve nature and maintain places for people to enjoy the outdoor activities they love. Manitoba’s commitment to protect 30 per cent of its lands and waters by 2030 (30×30) aims to move the needle forward on establishing a balance of conservation and extractive developments such as forestry and mining in our province.
This commitment reflects the voices of thousands of Manitobans who have expressed overwhelming support through more than 30,000 letters and emails urging the government to fulfil its 30×30 pledge.
Manitoba faces urgent challenges that endanger both its natural heritage and the well-being of its communities. Habitat loss, climate change, and landscape-altering developments are degrading ecosystems. Wetlands are being drained, forests are being cut and waterways are threatened by pollution. These changes cause concern for wildlife and the communities that depend on healthy ecosystems for clean water, reliable resources and sustainable livelihoods.
Ignoring these threats puts Manitoba’s traditions, economy and environment at risk, creating much uncertainty for future generations. At the same time, Manitoba’s industries supply essential resources to Manitobans and the world. Conservation and development must be balanced to ensure a sustainable future.
Well-designed protected areas offer a fair and forward-looking approach to addressing these threats while respecting the needs of communities. By conserving critical habitats, protected areas help maintain healthy ecosystems, support wildlife, mitigate climate change and provide clean air and water.
Protected areas also foster community resilience and reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples and the natural world. Indigenous-led conservation initiatives, like the Conservation Areas Initiative in southeastern Interlake, highlight how conserving natural lands and waters can be inclusive by listening to and accommodating outdoor enthusiasts, licensed hunters and anglers, Indigenous land users and local communities.
Additionally, protected areas create opportunities for ecotourism and recreation, strengthening the connection between communities and nature.
Concerns exist regarding Indigenous-led conservation efforts and land ownership. Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas require a complementary Crown government legislation to enshrine conserved areas in Crown law, which can be provincial or federal. Manitoba retains Crown jurisdiction over the province’s natural resources and any new protected area designation in Crown law must be agreed to by the province and requires public consultation as part of the process.
Protecting natural areas can spur growth in ecotourism, support local enterprises and enhance Manitoba’s reputation as a global destination for natural beauty. These initiatives create jobs, support nearby communities and foster sustainable income streams while safeguarding the ecosystems that underpin our economy.
Protecting 30 per cent of Manitoba’s lands and waters is also about innovation and adaptation. Conservation does not freeze time or hinder progress. Instead, it employs knowledge-based approaches to tackle habitat loss and climate change. This ensures Manitoba’s natural and cultural heritage thrives despite environmental challenges posed by extractive developments and their associated road networks.
Manitoba’s lands and waters are a shared legacy that requires collective responsibility. By fostering partnerships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities, government and industries, we can create a network of protected areas that benefit everyone. The vast majority of protected areas in Manitoba allow licensed hunting, fishing, trapping and gathering, ensuring conservation efforts respect cultural traditions.
For over 30 years, the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society’s Manitoba chapter has been a steadfast advocate for our shared natural heritage. By helping to protect 30 per cent of Manitoba’s lands and waters, we aim to ensure that wildlife, ecosystems and communities can flourish together through collaborative efforts.
This vision is not merely a target; it is a promise to future generations. Protecting Manitoba’s natural areas reaffirms values that define us as Manitobans: resilience, cooperation and a profound respect for nature. Together, we can create a future where thriving ecosystems support vibrant communities and conservation becomes a foundation of our shared success.