They protect us. They clean our water. They add value and beauty to our lives. Now, in Manitoba, we’re working to save these natural multi-tasking marvels.
This World Water Day, on March 22, Manitobans can share good news with fellow Canadians. The Manitoba government recently introduced the Sustainable Watersheds Act, which will protect wetlands and their many benefits from further destruction. Ducks Unlimited Canada and other groups are helping the government to fashion drainage regulations needed to meet those goals.
The legislation is timely. We continue to lose wetlands to drainage at an alarming rate. Parts of Manitoba have lost 70 per cent to 90 per cent, and the equivalent of 4.5 CFL fields is lost each day in this province.
However, the Sustainable Watersheds Act, green infrastructure funding, the Made-in-Manitoba Climate and Green Fund, and a $102 million investment to create a new Conservation Trust Fund all provide cause for hope.
The Sustainable Watersheds Act will help to preserve hundreds of thousands of wetland acres that reduce flooding, store nutrients and carbon, and provide resiliency in times of drought. Funding will provide money for wetland restoration, thereby using nature to improve water quality and management.
As the United Nations puts it: “Nature-based solutions have the potential to solve many of our water challenges.” In Manitoba, we’re putting those words into practice.
Rick Andrews
Manager of Provincial Operations - Manitoba
Ducks Unlimited Canada
