Ecological corridor to be created from Riding Mountain to Assiniboine River

Parks Canada is establishing an ecological corridor in Manitoba to conserve biodiversity and protect natural habitat.

The Little Saskatchewan River corridor project will create a belt of green space along the Little Saskatchewan River from Riding Mountain National Park to the Assiniboine River, Winnipeg South MP Terry Duguid said at a news conference at the Manitoba Museum in Winnipeg on Friday.

“Like many Manitobans, I grew up with fond memories of the river, the park and everywhere in between. These landscapes hold a special place in our heart, not just because of their beauty, but for their role in sustaining our communities and our ecosystems,” Duguid said.

Parks Canada will provide nearly $1 million in funding for the project, which is aimed at improving water quality in local river systems and helping maintain species at risk.

“Protecting our shared natural heritage is one of the most important responsibilities of any government,” Duguid said.

Parks Canada first announced last week that it would provide nearly $6 million in funding for nine ecological corridor projects, including the Little Saskatchewan corridor.

“We’re proud that Manitoba’s been chosen to be one of the provinces in which an ecological corridor is funded,” said Jon Gerrard, a former Manitoba Liberal MLA and MP.

Canada has set a target of protecting 30 per cent of land and inland waters and 30 per cent of marine and coastal areas by 2030.

“It’s an ambitious goal, but one we must achieve to safeguard our natural heritage for generations to come,” said Duguid, parliamentary secretary to the prime minister and special advisor for water.

But to be most effective, these protected areas must be properly connected to ensure species can move freely, interact and find food and suitable habitat, he said.

The corridor will be developed in collaboration with municipal governments, willing landowners and Indigenous groups, and will be managed to ensure sustainable development and livelihoods exist along it for decades to come, Duguid said.

“Imagine this — a safe passage for endangered species like the short-eared owl and the red-headed woodpecker, a thriving habitat for moose, deer and black bears,” Duguid said.

“[We are making] a commitment to conservation that honours the land’s history and secures its future.”