Response to “Tomorrow Now – Manitoba’s Green Plan”

Nature Manitoba Response to
“Tomorrow Now – Manitoba’s Green Plan”

[download a .PDF of Nature Manitoba's Response]

Nature Manitoba would like to thank the Government of Manitoba for the opportunity to comment on “Tomorrow Now – Manitoba’s Green Plan”. Nature Manitoba fully supports the direction outlined in the Tomorrow Now document. In the Green Plan the Government of Manitoba acknowledges its responsibility as a key player in environmental action in Manitoba. The Green Plan is clearly a work in progress. We appreciate the opportunity to join in that work and to contribute towards reaching the ambitious objectives contained in the document.

Who We Are:

Nature Manitoba is a not-for-profit organization that was founded in 1920 as the Natural History Society of Manitoba (later known as the Manitoba Naturalists Society), "for the popular and scientific study of nature". In 2009, we changed our name to Nature Manitoba. Our more than 800 members share a passion for nature. Our goal is to promote an appreciation and understanding of nature, and to preserve and enjoy it. We believe in the importance of sound stewardship of our parks, wilderness and other natural areas, and are proponents of self-propelled (non-motorized) recreation when enjoying these areas.

What We Offer:

• Canoeing, hiking, cycling, snowshoeing, camping, cross-country skiing, and other outdoor recreational pursuits.

• Field trips to observe birds, botany, butterflies, and more.

• Presentations by academics, researchers, writers, outdoor enthusiasts, amateur and professional photographers, and naturalists.

• Year-round opportunities to enjoy the Mantario Wilderness Education Center.

• Special events in support of Nature Manitoba projects and initiatives.

• Opportunities to co-operate with individuals and organizations with similar objectives.

• Research and advocacy committees that work for environmental protection on a non-partisan basis. Our Environmental Action Committee (EAC) consists of Nature Manitoba members who are interested in undertaking and supporting projects that promote environmental awareness and stewardship, particularly those which relate to natural ecosystems, threatened habitat, and wild species. For example, the Tall Grass Prairie is a long-term project of the committee.

Each month's events are published in advance on our website and in our newsletter, Nature Manitoba News, which is circulated to all members bi-monthly.

Given who we are and what we do, Nature Manitoba strongly supports the Government of Manitoba on the strategic vision expressed in Manitoba’s Green Plan, in all of its aspects but particularly in those areas outlined in “Safeguarding Our Water, Air and Land” and “Nurturing Our Living World”. We would like to share our comments on the various sections below.

Good For Our Economy – Good For The Environment

Because Manitoba's Important Bird Area (IBA) program (in partnership with Bird Studies Canada and Nature Canada) [see http://www.naturemanitoba.ca/?q=important-bird-areas] aligns very closely with the five key priority areas identified in the Green Plan, we will devote a considerable amount of space to the IBA's in this brief.

Manitoba's Important Bird Area program has begun to invest in the Tomorrow Now first key priority: Good for our Economy – Good for our Environment. The 38 Important Bird Areas in Manitoba were designated based on criteria that are internationally agreed upon, standardized, quantitative, and scientifically defendable. These 38 IBAs are recognized as being significant to the conservation of birds, meaning they support threatened species or large groups of birds. The designation of these internationally recognized areas can provide a platform for grassroots stewardship activities and create meaningful spin-off projects in diverse areas such as conservation, ecotourism and education.

Netley-Libau Marsh IBA is an example where one caretaker, Charlie McPherson a long-time resident of the area, is mobilizing a local community, increasing education and developing an ecotourism opportunity by providing guided birding tours within the Netley-Libau Marsh IBA. Charlie is also working with local government and business owners to attract birders to the area by hosting weekly birding tours in the Village of Dunnottar. The presence of an internationally recognized area, as identified by the IBA program, together with Charlie's foresight, dedication and love of the area, is creating excitement and increased awareness for locals and visitors alike.

The value of the Important Bird Area program is to establish a foundation to enact the “Think Globally, Act Locally” philosophy in the province. The IBA program objective is to safeguard Manitoba’s network of 38 globally recognized IBAs utilizing volunteer caretakers/stewards as the eyes, ears, feet and hands on the ground at each IBA. The program recruits and supports IBA Caretakers from rural areas, First Nations and the general naturalist community to deliver community awareness programs, and to provide training in Species At Risk monitoring techniques and in habitat stewardship. In turn, the Caretakers will monitor and suggest ways to better identify and maintain unique bird assemblages in these IBAs identify and respond to threats in these areas, and create local awareness and pride for these IBAs.

Ecological Goods and Services Recognition P. 9

We support the consideration of ecological goods and services to benefit Manitobans when working with the agricultural sector but would urge that this recognition be also kept to the forefront when considering parks, ecological reserves and wildlife management areas.

World Class Eco-tourism P. 14

As active proponents of and participants in eco-tourism in Manitoba we support all efforts to encourage more residents and non-residents to visit and experience what the province has to offer. As outlined at the beginning of this submission, Nature Manitoba has for many years organized and facilitated all of the activities mentioned in this section for its members and would be happy to work with the government and other partners to share our practical experience in both developed parks and backcountry areas throughout the province. We would particularly be interested in bringing the benefits of our experience to any working group looking at development of “. . .a backcountry permit and tracking system, portage improvements and select remote camping amenities.”

Changing Our Ways For A Changing Climate

"Changing our ways for a changing climate" is the second key priority area identified in Tomorrow Now. One goal under this priority area is the monitoring and protection of threatened species. South-western Manitoba Mixed-grass Prairie IBA was designated due to the presence of an International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) ‘Vulnerable Species’, Sprague's Pipit. However, Chestnut -collared Longspur, Burrowing Owl, Loggerhead Shrike, Ferruginous Hawk, and Baird's Sparrow, all of which are listed as Endangered Species under Manitoba's Endangered Species Act, also breed within this IBA.

The IBA caretaker program establishes and maintains a sustainable network of volunteer caretakers who are committed to monitor and report on species diversity and abundance at Manitoba's IBAs. As large volumes of bird population data were collected as part of the evaluation of IBA sites for designation, the caretakers build upon this baseline information by collecting high-quality monitoring data using a citizen-science approach. The resultant data for each site is publicly available on the IBA website (http://www.ibacanada.com/).

Safeguarding Our Water, Air and Land

Tomorrow Now's third key priority area, "Safeguarding our Water, Air and Land” states "our great lake is facing real challenges and everything possible must be done to restore its health, and to protect the health of lakes and waterways across the province". Wetlands are thought to act as "nature's kidneys" due to their ability to filter pollutants and sediments out of the water. It is also thought that birds can indicate trends affecting biodiversity as a whole. Many of Manitoba's IBAs occur on Manitoba's largest wetlands, such as Netley-Libau Marsh, Delta Marsh and Oak Hammock Marsh. The IBA program supports protection of these areas and encourages the province to acknowledge grassroots programs that mobilize local communities in conserving, increasing awareness, and emphasizing the importance of the health of these areas.

Comprehensive Peatlands Stewardship Strategy P. 29

We welcome the acknowledgment that peatlands are the most efficient terrestrial ecosystem for storing carbon. We would submit that peat mining has no place in an economy that seeks sustainability with a minimum production of greenhouse gases. Peat mining is one of the worst imaginable economic activities for the production of such gases. A modern economy, as presently constituted, requires oil and gas, mineral resources such as copper and nickel, and trees. A modern economy has no need for peat moss. There are readily available, equally effective, and no more expensive substitutes for horticultural peat moss. For these reasons, a peatlands stewardship strategy should be focused on the complete phasing out of peat mining in the province.

Nature Manitoba supports all of the initiatives articulated in this section, given our prime goal is to promote an appreciation and understanding of nature, and to preserve and enjoy it. We recognize that some users of off-road vehicles have caused habitat degradation and conflict with other users in some parts of the province and look forward to having input into the much-needed proposed strategy for off-road vehicles when it is developed (P. 32). Current park management plans do not address the various users of protected spaces, from ATV and snowmobiles to hikers and cross-country skiers, tenters and recreational vehicles to backpackers and canoe campers. Each group of users has unique requirements and these groups often cannot co-exist on the same trail networks at the same time. Until there are clear ORV guidelines, conflicts will continue to arise between users.

Strong new legislation to protect the environment (also on page 32)

There is a commitment here to prepare new protocols for environmental assessments. This is long overdue. The current environmental assessment regime does not inspire confidence the the interests of the environment are truly being protected. It cannot be otherwise when development proponents hire the consultants who prepare such assessments and vet their work. Environmental consultants are fully aware that negative assessments of development proposals would make it hard for them to obtain contracts in the future, thus they are put in a conflict of interest under current conditions.

Nurturing Our Living World

"Nurturing Our Living World" is the forth key priority identified within Tomorrow Now. Themes associated with this priority include "Protecting our Biodiversity for Tomorrow" and "The Parks Province" resonate deeply with out organization and align with several of our active programs such as Manitoba's Important Bird Areas. Manitoba's IBAs overlap partially or entirely with some of Manitoba's network of protected areas. As IBAs are not currently legally designated in Canada, we hope that Manitoba becomes a Canadian leader by recognizing IBAs as Special Protected Areas and regulate habitat threatening activities as do governments throughout the European Union. This Special Protected Area designation will ensure the protection of birds and other organisms within IBAs.

New Legislation And Policies To Protect Species and Habitats At Risk P. 36

Nature Manitoba strongly supports the initiative to replace Manitoba’s outdated and woefully inadequate Endangered Species Act, with its associated policies and would urge looking to the new Ontario Endangered Species Act 2007 as a model for modern, comprehensive protection of endangered species and their critical habitats.

Policy To Offset Biodiversity Loss P. 36

We strongly support the proposed development of a habitation protection policy for the mitigation of habitat loss resulting from industrial, recreational and commercial development in a timely fashion, given the pace of development on some of our rarer habitats such as short grass prairie. We know that such policies exist in other jurisdictions and would urge examination of what is out there and adaption of the best of them to Manitoba’s ultimate version. We are also aware that Manitoba Conservation has a very successful pilot habitat mitigation program in place in south western Manitoba in co-operation with Manitoba Infrastructure and Transportation and Manitoba Habitat Heritage Corporation and would urge, at the very least, that the department consider expanding that program to encompass the whole province.

A New Wildlife and Fish Conservation Fund P. 36

Nature Manitoba supports this initiative, given the great success of the current Fisheries Enhancement Fund, and would be prepared to work with the government and other partners on ways of enabling those Manitobans who do not fish or hunt to participate in both funding and carrying out worthwhile projects.

The Parks Province P. 43

We couldn't be happier with the stated objective of establishing Manitoba as "the Parks Province." We are a very long way from being that at the moment, with often shabby infrastructure, reduced services and park boundaries that all too often are designed with industry in mind rather than ecosystems. The process of establishing park management plans is more than a decade behind schedule. These are challenges that can be overcome, but it will require political will and determination.

We are especially pleased with the proposal to establish 15 new provincial parks, ecological reserves and wildlife management areas over the next eight years, as well as the recognition that some existing parks require an expansion of their boundaries. Chief among those is Little Limestone Lake, as recognized in the MOU with Misipawistik Cree Nation that enabled park establishment.

While national parks are nominally a federal responsibility, one cannot be established without the full support and co-operation of the province. Manitoba has a major piece of unfinished business in the Interlake. The Manitoba Lowlands National Park proposal has been in limbo for several years. There are several factors contributing to this state of affairs, but provincial inertia is certainly one of them. If Manitoba is to be "The Parks Province", it needs to do all it can to work with its partners to complete the national park system within its boundaries.

We are less happy with the item entitled "Review Of Mining In Parks." We would have preferred that heading to read "Phase out of Mining in Parks." When Premier Doer announced a phase out of logging in provincial parks, he stated "a park is a park is a park." We think that should apply to mining as well as to forestry.

Other initiatives, Park Investment P. 43

Nature Manitoba applauds all of the other initiatives listed in the Biodiversity section regarding polar bears, woodland caribou and sturgeon. As heavy users of all crown lands including parks and backcountry, we look forward to increased designation of protected areas and investment in park infrastructure, particularly trails. We have considerable experience in offering “off-season opportunities” and would be glad to work with Parks Branch or other staff to share that experience.

Backcountry Camping Adventures P.44

We welcome the plan to pilot an online backcountry campsite inventory for canoe routes in Nopiming Provincial Park. But more than an inventory is needed. Manitoba Conservation needs to change its policies with respect to the designation of such campsites in the first place. As an example, the department has designated, through signage and fire grills, half a dozen backcountry campsites on Garner Lake in Nopiming. All of them suffer from signs of extreme overuse, i.e. not having the infrastructure to support the amount of human traffic they experience. To encourage further backcountry travel without proper planning and resources is not consistent with the real principles of ecotourism. Approaches such as used on the Mantario Trail, where outdoor toilet facilities and bear boxes are provided at campsites, greatly improve the sustainability of these sites and allow a greater number of users to experience nature with minimal impact to the environment. Nature Manitoba members have extensive experience in the backcountry and would be happy to share this experience with the Parks Branch in order to further the objectives outlined in the Green Plan.

Sustainability Education in Parks P. 44

We strongly endorse this initiative and would like to thank Manitoba Conservation, particularly the Parks Branch, for enabling us to continue to offer our own version of this at the leased cabin at Mantario Lake in Whiteshell Provincial Park (for information on the full program see http://www.naturemanitoba.ca/?q=mantario ). This program has gone on every summer for more than two decades and has created hundreds of stewards of our parks.

Simple Personal Choices – Big Results

Tomorrow Now's last key priority area, "Simple Personal Choices- Big Results" closely resembles the "Think Globally, Act Locally" philosophy of the Important Bird Area program. The IBA caretaker program connects the individual with local knowledge and concerns to global conservation efforts. Volunteer caretakers watch for changes in bird populations or conservation threats, conducting outreach and raising awareness about their site, and undertaking on-the-ground stewardship. The initiative to mobilize, increase the sense of stewardship, and educate Manitobans on the importance of habitat, the bird species it supports, and their associated threats, could not come at a better time.

Nature Manitoba applauds the Government of Manitoba's efforts and commitment to make Manitoba a leader in green initiatives. Working under the auspices of Tomorrow Now – Manitoba's Green Plan, We look forward to working with the Provincial Government in fulfilling the Important Bird Area program goals of increased stewardship, bird conservation efforts, and awareness in Manitoba.

Green Schools and Education for Sustainable Development, page 51.

Nature Manitoba appreciates the consideration that has gone into developing the Green Plan section "Green Schools and Education for Sustainable Development".

Nature Manitoba has since 2006, supported input to the science curricula of inner city Grade four and five by participating in offering quality, full-day, environmental field trips. In-class presentations and School Butterfly Garden development are also offered. Various funding sources are utilized to finance this programming so the field trips can be offered to Winnipeg schools, free of charge. This program, named “Bridging the Gap”, has been well received by the Winnipeg School Division with 15 field trips booked for the 2012 fall session. Details are available at www.bridgingthegap.co

Nature Manitoba would be happy to work with the Government of Manitoba and other school divisions to look at ways of encouraging/expanding environmental programming like Bridging the Gap to teach students the value of exploring outdoors Manitoba.

Some Final Thoughts:

In order to engage the public, much of the Green Plan is rather passive – it needs to be clearer on how the public can get involved, or, alternately, what’s in it for them, i.e. should probably be plainer on how the initiatives listed are or can be driven by local initiatives or financial incentives.  If the average person reading the Plan cannot see how they can be engaged then it becomes something someone else is responsible for and will be put on a shelf to gather dust.

The devil is in the details, as they say and, like a Speech From the Throne, the Tomorrow Now document is weak on specifics. But it constitutes a good roadmap and we look forward to seeing the Green Plan being fleshed out with the kind of practical initiatives, programs, financial support, legislation and regulations that would establish Manitoba as a true leader in environmental stewardship on this continent.

 

Yours sincerely,

Don Himbeault
President, Nature Manitoba