Conservation Trust contribution: $100,000 Total Project Budget: $242,175 In 2019, one of the first grants from the Conservation Trust went to Brandon’s Riverbank Discovery Centre for its East Area Interpretive Wetlands project. The project helped restore a wetland that was greatly damaged by flooding in 2011 and 2014. Because the wetland is a focal point for visitors and conservation education … Read More
McNish Conservation Agreement Restores Wetlands
Terry and Allyson McNish live in a grand “revitalized” 1902 farmhouse south of Strathclair Manitoba in the Rural Municipality of Oakview. They both work off farm and still find time to raise Angus-cross cattle, Berkshire pigs, sheep, alpacas, and chickens. The “Little Eden Farm” is comprised of a quarter section and is a labour of love for Terry and Allyson. … Read More
Habitat Protection Made Easy Through Partnership Agreement
Benito area grain farmer John Sandborn recently donated 58.5 acres of pristine woodland habitat to the Manitoba Habitat Conservancy (MHC) through a Conservation Agreement. The agreement will protect the habitat forever. The Swan Lake Watershed District partnered with John and MHC to facilitate signing of the Conservation Agreement. The mixed coniferous and deciduous forest is located south of Benito on … Read More
Incentives to Preserve Pasture Lands
Brian and Kristen Breemersch operate a cow-calf farming operation located southwest of Brandon. Their land is primarily pastureland that is interspersed with wetlands. They bought the land from Kristen’s parents about 20 years ago to start a family run farm. Their land attracts a rich variety of waterfowl and wildlife, which Brian and Kristen enjoy. Several years ago, Brian visited … Read More
Canada invests $25 million to protect wetlands and grasslands in the Prairies
“Today, the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, the Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, on behalf of the Minister of Environment and Climate Change, the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, announced more than $25 million in funding to conserve, restore, and enhance critical wetlands and grasslands in the Prairie provinces” “Manitoba Habitat Conservancy will receive up to $2.4 million over three years for projects to … Read More
Healthy Habitat Welcomes Waterfowl
April is prime time for migrating waterfowl to return to south western Manitoba. Why is this area so special to waterfowl? The wetlands and grasslands of the Prairie Pothole Region are some of the best waterfowl breeding grounds on the planet. Spring is a critical time in the life cycle of a duck. The migration from their south winter home … Read More
Grazed Pastures Essential to Songbird Survival
After a long Covid 19 winter, many look forward to spring and the return of Manitoba’s migratory birds. Canada Geese have already arrived, much earlier than their long term average spring arrival date of March 23rd. Unfortunately, there are fewer songbirds arriving every spring. Migratory songbird populations are suffering a serious decline. The Bank Swallow has lost 98% of its … Read More
Grass Fed Beef Helps Grasslands Thrive
“There’s no excuse not to try grass-fed beef,” says the recently mailed A&W coupon book. Why would A&W move to serving customers only grass-fed beef? “It is all about feeling good about the food you eat,” says the coupon book. Okay, but what is so special about grass-fed beef? It’s simple says A&W, “cattle graze on pasture and the grazing … Read More
The Balance of Agriculture and Conservation
Next year will mark 35 years for the Manitoba Habitat Conservancy (MHC). Established in 1986 by the Provincial Government of Manitoba; MHC was created to build partnerships and work with landowners, farmers, and ranchers in rural Manitoba. The mandate is simple: “Conserve, restore and enhance fish and wildlife habitat in Manitoba” and with the slogan, “Made in Manitoba”, MHC … Read More
20 years of Conservation Success
At the start of a new year, it is nice to look back on accomplishments of the previous year and see success. In the conservation world, Manitoba Habitat Conservancy is looking back at the past 20 years to see the success of its Conservation Agreements program in the Whitemud Watershed and throughout Manitoba. It was 20 years ago when the … Read More