Our Goal
The goal of the Conservation Areas Initiative is to protect the health of our thriving natural landscape so it can continue to provide sustainable economic opportunities and to support our cherished lifestyles and cultures.
Preserving the natural landscape will also provide sustainable economic opportunities such as tourism and a healthy fishing industry. These lands are key to restoring the health of Lake Winnipeg because they act as natural filters against damaging nutrients. They help to prevent floods and provide habitat for an incredible array of wildlife. The forests and wetlands serve as a massive carbon sink, which helps to mitigate climate change, and the trees clean the air we all breathe.
This initiative is led by Fisher River Cree Nation in partnership with Peguis First Nation and the Manitoba chapter of the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (CPAWS). The initiative has the support of the governments of Manitoba and Canada.
The Initiative
We are developing a conservation proposal within a study area that stretches from Riverton to Kinwow Bay Provincial Park and includes a section of Lake Winnipeg. We do not expect every piece of this area to be protected: we are studying the broad needs of the region in order to develop an appropriate and successful conservation proposal.
The initiative is designed to support regionally developed management plans for the Fisher River watershed and the Icelandic River and Washow Bay Creek watershed. [1]
Preserving Nature
The Fisher River Integrated Watershed Management Plan (2015) and the Icelandic River and Washow Bay Creek Integrated Watershed Management Plan (2008) were developed by the East Interlake Conservation District (EICD) in partnership with watershed residents, local municipalities, Fisher River Cree Nation, Peguis First Nation, and the Province of Manitoba.
Both plans identified preserving natural areas as a core goal.