WINNIPEG - The Wilderness Committee is proudly thanking its members and supporters for speaking up for Whiteshell Provincial Park today as the government announces its intentions for new protected lands around Meditation Lake, where a private camp was scheduled to be built in 2009. The plan was abandoned after a public outcry, and today the government has announced that legal protection for the lakes and lands will be forthcoming.

“It’s gratifying and humbling to know that Wilderness Committee Manitoba was able to channel public support into achieving real protection for part of the Whiteshell Park. We are watchdogs for nature and our parks. We have to fight hard, and today we are tasting success,” said Eric Reder, Campaign Director for the Wilderness Committee.

Thousands and thousands of Manitobans asked that the Whitemouth River area – one of the Wilderness Committee's Manitoba Conservation Hotspots – be protected. Today’s announcement shows progress towards that goal.

“Once we know First Nations consent is given and the appropriate legislative changes are made, we will be thrilled,” said Reder. “But on Monday we’ll continue to push for all our park lands and waters to be fully protected, and for 20 per cent of Manitoba’s nature and wilderness to be protected by 2020.”