Big Grass Marsh (GLADSTONE.CA)
A Lake Manitoba wetland called Big Grass Marsh has been donated to the province by the municipalities of Lakeview and Westbourne for conservation.
Spanning about five times the size of Birds Hill Park, it’s the largest such land donation in the province’s history.
“This is the kind of forward-thinking, responsible habitat management that ensures the protection of an iconic wetland that provides flood control, water quality enhancement, protection from drainage, carbon storage and wildlife habitat,” said Conservation and Water Stewardship Minister Gord Mackintosh. “This region is historic and was actually the first wetland project tackled by Ducks Unlimited more than 75 years ago.”
The two municipalities have signed conservation agreements with the Manitoba Habitat Heritage Corporation that will permanently protect 45,000 acres of wetland and aspen parklands near the south basin of Lake Manitoba. It will continue to be open to hunting and trapping.
— Staff
