Just a couple hours north of Winnipeg lies the Fisher Bay area, on the southwest basin of Lake Winnipeg. This land is home to wildlife such as wolves and moose, foxes and bears, and a huge variety of songbirds. Shallow beaches and rocky reefs can be found throughout the waters of the Bay, providing habitat for a myriad of fishes and birds, many of which are endangered.

Ochiwasahow: The Fisher Bay Area

Co-published CPAWS Manitoba and the Wilderness Committee Vol.24 - No.04 Spring 2007

Piping plover by Gordon Court.

Manitoba's park reserves

The park reserve process was designed by the Manitoba government and sets out to determine a land use designation for a selected area. Through this process the provincial government is required to conduct consultations with all affected First Nations as well as attain input from the public and industry stakeholders. There are currently 13 park reserves in Manitoba, all of which are temporarily protected from industrial activity for a set period of time. The Fisher Bay area began a second period of interim protection in 2005, preserving this beautiful wilderness until 2010.

Manitoba’s government has been slow to deal with protected areas and park reserves, putting few resources towards preserving more natural areas. Of all the park reserves nominated by First Nations, none have yet been granted permanent protection. The Manitoba government’s Protected Area Initiative program currently has 168 areas listed for possible preservation, but little work is being done towards permanent protection.

We must all express our opinions to government, letting them know we feel about committing substantial resources towards protecting wild spaces and natural areas, so that we might build a healthy future for the next generations of Manitobans.