About Us

We were initially created to act primarily as a funding source, directing funds provided by the province and others into worthwhile fish and wildlife habitat initiatives. This evolved and in 1989, we became a founding member and major partner in the Critical Wildlife Habitat Program (CWHP), established to conserve unique and threatened habitats such as tall grass prairie, burrowing owl habitat, garter snake denning sites, and locations of endangered plant species.

We were designated by the Manitoba Minister of Natural Resources to coordinate the delivery of the North American Waterfowl Management Plan (NAWMP) in the province, marking a new phase for the organization. This responsibility led to the establishment of field offices in southwestern Manitoba and provided long-term funding for waterfowl programs, enabling MHC to promote sustainable land use practices around prairie wetlands.

We chose to deliver the agro-forestry component of the Canada-Manitoba Partnership Agreement in Forestry, offering landowners technical support and incentives for sustainable woodland management through the Woodlot program. In 2006, responsibility for the program was transferred to Manitoba Agriculture.

We launched the Green Banks program to conserve riparian habitats along streams and lakeshores, benefiting wildlife, water quality, and fish habitat, while supporting sustainable landowner practices. Building on this foundation, we expanded efforts with outreach initiatives such as the Managing the Waters Edge and Green Banks: 
Clear Waters programs.

The Conservation Agreements Act of 1998 gave us a key tool to conserve wildlife habitat on private land while compensating landowners for preserving habitat without requiring changes to land management. Although we operate solely in Manitoba, we are one of the top three organizations in Canada for the number of conservation agreements held.

We began partnering with landowners across Manitoba to restore drained wetlands, funded through various programs focused on mitigation, climate change, waterfowl, and water quality. We offer wetland restoration opportunities through 10-year contracts or Conservation Agreements that permanently protect the restored habitats.