5,000 letters from Manitobans ask Premier Selinger to protect our natural heritage

Premier Selinger today received a delivery of 5,000 letters collected by the Wilderness Committee, all asking that Manitoba’s Conservation Hotspots—the wild and natural areas we rely on for ecological services and biological diversity—be permanently protected from development.

“A majority of Manitobans realize the importance of wild and natural areas, and are ready to see more of the province protected,” said Eric Reder, Campaign Director for the Wilderness Committee in Manitoba. “Our government must respond to this reality, and have the vision to protect our natural heritage for future generations.”

The Conservation Hotspots Educational Report was published by the Wilderness Committee in the summer of 2009, and outlined five areas in Manitoba that should be protected from development. The areas are valuable for the ecosystem services they provide, including air and water filtration, as well as for the preservation of biological diversity.

“I want my kid’s grandkids to see clean-flowing rivers and wild animals on the land,” said Reder. “We have a responsibility to take action now to protect our natural heritage. Does anyone want to tell stories to their grandkids about the animals and plants and beautiful wilderness we use to have, but lost?”

The five Conservation Hotspots are the Saskatchewan River Delta, the Chitek Lake Park Reserve, the Upper Whitemouth River area, the Fish Lake area, and the tallgrass prairie in the Gardenton and Pansy Pastures.

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5,000 postcards from concerned Manitobans in Premier Selinger's office