Manitoba’s Blue Mosaic

SIX AQUATIC STRONGHOLDS OF MANITOBA’S BOREAL FOREST MANITOBA’S BLUE MOSAIC

TABLE OF CONTENTS AUTHORS Jeff Wells, Ph.D. Science and Policy Director, Boreal Songbird Initiative

David Childs 3 MANITOBA’S BLUE MOSAIC Communications and Policy Specialist, Boreal Songbird Initiative Christopher Smith 4 Wondrous Waterways Head Boreal Conservation Programs, Ducks Unlimited Canada

Shaunna Morgan Siegers 5 World Class Wetlands Regional Advisor, Aboriginal Leadership Initiative

Pascal Badiou, Ph.D. 6 Filtration and Flood Control Research Scientist, Ducks Unlimited Canada INTRODUCTION

7 Climate Kings ABOUT THE BOREAL SONGBIRD INITIATIVE Manitoba is defined in popular perception by prairies—and not without cause. The The Boreal Songbird Initiative (BSI) is a non-profit organization dedicated vast majority of Manitoba’s population lives in its southern, prairie-dominated region. 8 Bountiful Biodiversity to outreach and education about the importance of the boreal forest region to North America’s birds, other wildlife, and the global The capital city, Winnipeg, was historically a gateway to the Prairie West, the jumping- environment. off point for European explorers and then early settlers heading to Saskatchewan, 10 Balance in the Boreal Alberta, and beyond. Manitoba’s official flower is the Prairie Crocus. The provincial ABOUT DUCKS UNLIMITED CANADA government’s official symbol is the Bison, an icon of the Great Plains. But Manitoba has 11 SIX AQUATIC STRONGHOLDS OF Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) is the leader in wetland conservation. A another identity—a northern one—that is equally worthy of a place in the Canadian MANITOBA’S BOREAL FOREST registered charity, DUC partners with government, industry, non-profit organizations and landowners to conserve wetlands that are critical to imagination. Beyond the wheat fields and prairie potholes of the province’s south, waterfowl, wildlife and the environment. Manitoba is covered under a vast canopy of boreal forest that stretches over more than 12 Hudson Bay Lowlands three-quarters of its land mass (Ducks Unlimited Canada 2010). SUGGESTED CITATION 13 Pimachiowin Aki Wells, J., D. Childs, C. Smith, S.M. Siegers, and P. Badiou. 2014. The scale of this landscape is daunting: if Manitoba’s 570,000 km² (140 million acres) Manitoba’s Blue Mosaic: Six Aquatic Strongholds of Manitoba’s Boreal of boreal forest were its own country, it would be larger than many entire nations, 14 Saskatchewan River Delta Forest. Boreal Songbird Initiative, Seattle, Washington, and Ducks including Spain, Sweden, and Japan. Unlimited Canada, Stonewall, Manitoba. Perhaps most impressive is that more than 80 percent of Manitoba’s boreal forest 15 Seal River Watershed ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS (467,000 km²/115 million acres) remains highly intact and free of industrial development The authors would like to thank the following individuals for their 16 Manitoba’s Great Lakes (Global Forest Watch Canada 2009). In fact, Newfoundland and Labrador is the only contributions to the report: Sheldon Alberts, Christian Artuso, Valerie Canadian province that boasts a higher proportion of undeveloped, primary boreal Courtois, Kelly Frawley, Mary Granskou, Mathew Jacobson, Sandy Klowak, 17 Grass, Burntwood, and Upper Katherine Lim, Lindsay McBlane, Lane Nothman, Ron Thiessen, and forest (Global Forest Watch Canada 2009). Meredith Trainor. Churchill River Watersheds As conservation science continues to evolve, there is a growing consensus that CREDITS intactness (the absence of large-scale human industrial activity and footprint) is, in and 18 LITERATURE CITED Cover photos, clockwise from top left: © Ron Thiessen, © Jeff Nadler, of itself, one of the most important conservation values and therefore deserving of © Steve Perry, © Jeff Nadler, © Ducks Unlimited Canada protection (IBCSP 2013, Locke 2013, Noss et al. 2012). Because boreal forests tend to

All maps produced by Ducks Unlimited Canada be colder, grow more slowly, and feature many species that require large geographic ranges, maintaining these very large intact expanses and corridors that connect them is Graphic design by Lisa Holmes, Yulan Studio. critically important (Wells et al. 2014, IBCSP 2013, 2011, Slattery et al. 2011, Carlson et All content copyright © 2014 Boreal Songbird Initiative and Ducks al. 2009, Bradshaw et al. 2009, Wiersma and Nudds 2009). Unlimited Canada. Manitoba is the only Canadian province or territory to prominently feature at least four of the country’s seven major boreal ecozones—Boreal Plains, Boreal Shield, Hudson Plains, and Taiga Shield—representing a wide variety of terrain, habitat, and biodiversity (Ecological Stratification Working Group 1995). Throughout all of Manitoba’s boreal landscapes, there is one connecting thread: the presence of water. 2 3 © GARRY BUDYK © GARRY 4 Manitoba’s borealforest. thrive inthelushaquaticregionsof Waterfowl suchasLesserScaup The combinedsurfaceareaofManitoba’s boreallakesislargerthanthecountryofAustria.

© DUCKS UNLIMITED CANADA Hudson Bayandsome ofCanada’s mostuniqueandimportant Arctic species. these watersheds isnotonlycrucialforManitoba’s long-term ecologicalhealth,butalsothat of nutrients originating farupstream (Wells etal.2011,Stewart andBarber2010).Protecting help sustainlong-lastingArctic current cyclesandprovide HudsonBaywildlifewithcritical spilling outoftheSeal,Churchill, Nelson,andHayesRivers (Deryetal.2005).Theserivers The entirety ofManitoba’s waterflowdrainsintoHudsonBay, withthemajoritybyvolume (Canadian Boreal Initiative2009). being withinoneofthesingle largest intact,undisturbed blocksofforest anywhere inthe world andtheHudsonBay Lowlands totheirnorth)share with Ontariothedistinctionof Winnipeg eastern andnortheasternportionsoftheprovince (includingtheriversoneastside ofLake the SealandHayes,are almostentirely untouchedbymodern-dayindustrialdevelopment.The Manitoba, twoare entirely free-flowingWildlands 2013).Theserivers, andunaltered (Manitoba (Environment Canada2013).Ofthefourlargest riversthatdrainintoHudsonBaythrough Every oneofManitoba’s riverseither originatesinoreventuallydrainsthrough theboreal 83,000 km²(20.5millionacres)—equivalent insizetothecountryofAustria. undisturbed byhumans.Combined,Manitoba’s boreal lakes compriseatotalarea ofatleast in contrasttoManitoba’s Great Lakestoward thesouth,majorityare pristineandrelatively More than8,000lakes1km²(247acres) orlarger canbefoundinManitoba’s boreal forest and, boreal forest region iscomprisedoflakes,rivers,or wetlands (ManitobaWater Council2010). on Earth(Wells etal. 2011).Manitoba’s boreal region isnoexception;approximately halfofits Canada’s boreal forest istheworld’s largest andmostpristinesource ofunfrozen freshwater WONDROUS WATERWAYS

© RON THIESSEN an area (~10,000km one ofthelargest inlandfreshwater deltasinallofNorthAmerica,covering development (AbrahamandKeddy 2005).TheSaskatchewanRiverDeltais network onEarthandperhapstheoneleastaffected byhuman Overall, theHudsonBayLowlandscomprisethird largest wetland Earth (AbrahamandKeddy2005). the deepest,richest,andmostcarbon-densepeatlandsfound anywhere on northern Manitoba.AndthevastHudsonBayLowlandsfeature someof River, lakes,ponds,andmarshesformanintricate,silverymosaic across andLakeManitoba). LakeWinnipegosis, Great Lakes(LakeWinnipeg, widespread throughout significantstretches alongtheshores ofManitoba’s dense networkofwetlandswithinCanada.Freshwater coastalwetlandsare boreal region (DucksUnlimitedCanada2010)—oneofthelargest andmost (49 millionacres), wetlands makeuparound 40percent ofManitoba’s swamp—dominate Manitoba’s boreal region. Atmore than200,000km² Wetlands—saturated expansesofpeatland(bogsandfens),marsh, WORLD CLASSWETLANDS generations anddeserve greater recognition. Manitoba’s vastnetworks ofblueprovide ecologicalinsuranceforfuture watershortages andcontaminationincreasing aroundWith the globe, teem withwildlife(Wells etal.2013,Smith2008,Lindgren 2001). and stream channels,shrubbyriveredgehabitats, andforested wetlands Edward Island.TheDelta’s expansesofgrassymarshes,shallowlakes,river productive inlandshorelinewetlandsystemsanywhereinCanada. Right: Manitoba’s GreatLakesfeaturesomeofthelengthiestandmost Above: Raresalt-dominatedwetlandsinManitoba’s GreatLakesRegion. 2 /2.5 millionacres) nearlytwicethesizeofPrince

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© DUCKS UNLIMITED CANADA 5 © DUCKS UNLIMITED CANADA © GARRY BUDYK © GARRY

Peatlands store immense quanitites of carbon, helping to keep our planet cool. Above: Wetlands filter out pollutants and help reduce droughts and flooding. Below: Small creek eventually draining FILTRATION AND FLOOD CONTROL into Lake Manitoba. CLIMATE KINGS Wetlands are the world’s greatest natural regulators of water flow. During wetter seasons they absorb excess runoff, acting as giant natural sponges that reduce severe flooding (Ducks Unlimited Canada 2006, Pielou 1998). During drier seasons they release stored water, allowing for remarkable Due to both the sheer size of boreal forests globally and the remarkable extent of wetlands stability throughout surrounding water tables (Ducks Unlimited Canada 2006, Pielou 1998). within them, the world’s boreal forests and underlying soils have been found to store more carbon than all of the world’s temperate and tropical forests combined (Moen et al. 2014, Wetlands are also some of the world’s best pollutant filters. They have been found to retain up Carlson et al. 2009, 2010 Bradshaw et al. 2009). Canada’s boreal forest region leads the way, to 87 percent of the nitrogen and 95 percent of the phosphorous flowing through them (Ducks storing twice as much carbon per square kilometre as tropical forests (Carlson et al. 2009). Unlimited Canada 2006). Nitrogen and phosphorous are two of the most prominent and ecologically © DUCKS UNLIMITED CANADA damaging contaminants affecting both surface and groundwater (Schindler and Vallentyne 2008). Peatlands especially act as nature’s ‘climate kings,’ sequestering and storing immense densities of carbon for millennia. They are one of the most important preventive regulators of climate In this sense, wetlands act as the environment’s water purifiers and provide a free, natural service. Climate change could alter critical Canadian boreal wetlands (including peatlands) have been estimated to provide the equivalent of change because of how much carbon they sequester and store below ground. However, they are boreal habitat for waterfowl, $39 billion in water filtration services annually (Anielski and Wilson 2009). also among the most sensitive to disturbance (Carlson et al. 2009, 2010). When drained, burned, including Bufflehead. or cut off from surrounding water tables (especially through road building), carbon built up over These services are essential to the long-term ecological viability of Manitoba’s Great Lakes. thousands of years can be released. Dangerous algae blooms now afflict Lake Winnipeg, which has been plagued by a loss of wetlands to the south and decades of pollutants originating in agricultural runoff from both Canada and the Due to the relative intactness of Manitoba’s boreal forest and the prominence of peatlands United States, primarily from the Red and Winnipeg Rivers (Environment Canada and Manitoba throughout, it is estimated to store a minimum of 19 billion tonnes of carbon (Tarnocai and Water Stewardship 2011, Schindler and Vallentyne 2008). In 2013, the Global Nature Fund gave the Lacelle 1996)—equivalent to nearly 1,000 years worth of Manitoba’s annual greenhouse gas © GARRY BUDYK © GARRY lake—the largest of Manitoba’s Great Lakes and a vital economic and recreational source for the emissions (Climate Change Connection 2013). If the forest was fully developed and the carbon province—the ignominious title of Threatened Lake of the Year (Global Nature Fund 2013). stored released, it would be equivalent to adding 4.2 billion North American cars to the road for a full year (Carbon Credit Canada 2014). While maintaining healthy boreal wetlands and rivers and intact forest watersheds cannot wholly mitigate the damage being done to Lake Winnipeg by inputs coming from the south, the pristine In addition to the ecological and climatic benefits of protecting Manitoba’s boreal forest, there freshwater from these boreal forest sources are critically important to ensure the future improvement may also be immense future economic benefits. Most carbon offset marketplaces are still in 6 of its condition. relatively early or pilot phases; however, at current rates the valuation of Manitoba’s boreal 7 carbon is estimated to be $117 billion (Peters-Stanley and Yin 2013). BOUNTIFUL BIODIVERSITY

Manitoba’s boreal forest is like scoters and scaup (Slattery et al. 2011, Ducks Unlimited Canada unique because four major 2010). The impressive concentrations of Arctic birds and shorebirds ecozones are represented, throughout the Hudson Bay Lowlands have led areas like Churchill making it home to a to become famous among birders as places to see numerous birds remarkable abundance that are otherwise rare and difficult to find (Chartier 1994). These and diversity of wildlife. include Harris’s Sparrow, Smith’s Longspur, Hudsonian Godwit, Red- Its relative intactness necked Phalarope, Arctic Tern, Little Gull, Willow Ptarmigan, and Pine supports not only a unique Grosbeak.

© RON THIESSEN combination of animals Manitoba’s boreal also contains some of the most robust herds of the and plants, but some of Manitoba’s abundance of wetlands iconic yet rapidly declining boreal woodland caribou. This extremely the healthiest populations and small lakes support some of the sensitive species has lost nearly half of its historic North American of many of these species highest-producing waterfowl regions range and is at risk of in Canada’s boreal forest. anywhere in Canada. extinction in numerous The boreal forest region places throughout the is especially well-known as North America’s Bird Nursery because it country (IBCSP 2011, supports an incredible number of migratory songbirds, shorebirds, Hummel and Ray 2008, waterfowl, and other species (Wells et al. 2014, Wells and Blancher Schaefer 2003). A 2012 2011). In all, between 100 to 300 million birds representing more report by Environment © RON THIESSEN than 250 species breed within Manitoba’s boreal forest. This amounts Canada found that only to more than three-quarters of the bird species that can be found 14 of 51 identified herd Wanipigow River on the east side of Lake Winnipeg. throughout the entire boreal forest region of North America (Wells ranges within Canada and Blancher 2011, Blancher and Wells 2005), which stretches across were considered to have

the continent from Alaska to Newfoundland and Labrador. Within one a greater than 50 percent © PIMACHIOWIN AKI CORPORATION area of Manitoba’s boreal region, federally-listed species like Yellow chance of being self- Manitoba is deservedly famous for its polar bears. The town of Churchill has earned the Boreal woodland caribou in nickname “Polar Bear Capital of the World” due to the late fall concentration of polar bears Rail, Olive-sided Flycatcher, Canada Warbler, and Rusty Blackbird sustaining (Environment Pimachiowin Aki. can be found alongside special, hard-to-see birds like Yellow-bellied Canada 2012). near the town—a wildlife spectacle that is now supporting a thriving tourism market (Brandson Flycatcher, Connecticut Warbler, Bay-breasted Warbler, and Great 2011). The southern Hudson Bay polar bear populations are particularly special because they are In contrast, six of Manitoba’s 13 ranges were found to be likely self- Gray Owl. Some birds, like the Boreal Chickadee, Gray Jay, Three- the southernmost populations of polar bears on Earth (Stirling et al. 2004). These bears are also sustaining. Eight of those ranges still maintain greater than 65 percent toed Woodpecker, and Spruce Grouse, have adapted to the region’s unique in their denning behavior. They are the only polar bears in the world that consistently of undisturbed caribou habitat (Environment Canada 2012)—the cold winters and spend their entire lives exclusively residing within the build dens on land, often digging down into permafrost in peat banks or gravel ridges, threshold determined by the latest science to be necessary for most boreal (Pielou 1998). sometimes up to 100 kilometres (62 miles) inland from the shores of Hudson Bay (Brandson herds to survive over the long term (IBCSP 2011). 2011, Peacock et al. 2010). © STEVE PERRY Thanks to its abundance of wetlands and small lakes, Manitoba A number of other symbolically Canadian large mammals can be supports some of the highest-producing regions of waterfowl In addition to supporting highly robust populations of fish, such as Arctic grayling, northern pike, The abundance of polar bears found throughout Manitoba’s boreal forest (Senecal 1999). These around Churchill has created a anywhere in Canada’s boreal forest. Manitoba’s and lake trout, the major rivers that flow through the boreal and drain into Hudson Bay are also forests and wetlands are estimated to support blossoming market for tourism. boreal region accounts for approximately 20 vital in supporting adjacent marine species of Hudson Bay (Stewart and Barber 2010, Rosenberg more than 4,000 gray wolves (International Wolf percent of the total breeding-season waterfowl et al. 2005, Stewart and Lockhart 2005). Migratory brook trout and Arctic char populations move Center 2014) and more than 30,000 moose found in Canada’s western boreal forest region from the marine waters of Hudson Bay and ascend into freshwater rivers to spawn, particularly (Government of Manitoba 2014c). Although (Manitoba Implementation Plan Committee the Seal, Nelson, Hayes, and Churchill Rivers. Beluga whales congregate at the mouths of grizzly bears had once disappeared from 2008). Based on analyses of data collected these same large freshwater rivers to molt and calve (Stewart and Barber 2010). In fact, more Manitoba, small numbers have in recent years during the annual waterfowl breeding surveys than 50,000 belugas are estimated to come to these river mouths every summer. Harbour seals, been documented in the far northern reaches jointly undertaken by the Canadian Wildlife ringed seals, and bearded seals rely on the fish that are supported by the flows of freshwater of the province, making Manitoba the only Service and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and nutrients from these rivers into Hudson Bay (Stewart and Barber 2010, Stewart and Lockhart

© JEFF NADLER Canadian jurisdiction (excluding the Northwest an estimated 1.6 million waterfowl breed in 2005). Harbour seals even move up and down some of the rivers, sometimes venturing more Territories, Nunavut, and Yukon) where all three Manitoba’s boreal forest region each year. These Several of Canada’s federally-listed than 200 kilometres (124 miles) inland on the Seal River (Baird 2001, Beck et al. 1970). species of bear—grizzly, black, and polar—now include some species in long-term decline bird species find needed refuge in Manitoba’s boreal forest, including occur (Rockwell et al. 2009, Parks Canada 2010). 8 the Bay-breasted Warbler. 9 SIX AQUATIC STRONGHOLDS OF BALANCE IN THE BOREAL MANITOBA’S BOREAL FOREST

Blessed with an abundance There is also economic benefit of healthy boreal forests and to conserving these areas wetlands, there is perhaps for future generations. For no place in the world better example, a 2008 report by positioned to employ the International Institute for forward-thinking, sustainable Sustainable Development management strategies for found that the Pimachiowin ensuring a prosperous long- Aki region provides at least Hudson Bay term future than Manitoba. $121 million worth of goods Not only does the forest’s and ecological services each Seal River Watershed Virtually every corner of high percentage of intactness year, $35 million of which Manitoba’s vast boreal forest allow the opportunity to plan comes from recreational and ahead, but Manitobans have commercial fishing alone contains some form of unique the benefit of learning from (Voora and Barg 2008). biodiversity, aquatic features, the numerous mistakes and Grass, Burntwood, The Government of Manitoba or other notable conservation rare successes elsewhere in And Upper Churchill © GARRY BUDYK © GARRY has already begun to build River Watersheds values worthy of attention. the world to help illuminate and implement a framework a positive path forward The Canadian Boreal Forest Conservation Framework provides a forward- In the following section we to help guide development towards balancing sustainable thinking model for balancing economic and environmental needs. highlight six outstanding of sustainable management Hudson Bay development, healthy Lowlands strategies. As part of their regions of Manitoba’s Aboriginal and northern TomorrowNow initiative, boreal forest that represent communities, and conservation. Manitoba is developing a Boreal Plan to create a roadmap for MANITOBA the impressive diversity of Resource development is and should continue to be an important sustainable development and protection of the boreal, to be wetlands, waterways, and feature of Manitoba’s diverse economy. However, there is a clear developed in partnership with First Nations and others (Government Saskatchewan need to move future projects and development ahead wisely and of Manitoba 2014b). The province has recently announced an River Delta forests found within this 1 carefully. One such vision has been embodied in the Canadian Boreal updated Boreal Woodland Caribou Recovery Strategy that, when Pimachiowin globally unique region. implemented, will mandate levels of forest and habitat conservation Aki Forest Conservation Framework, a forward-thinking model for how Lake to balance the need for conservation of habitat with opportunities that will help to ensure caribou thrive on the landscape in Manitoba, Winnipeg for economic vitality and support of vibrant Aboriginal and northern in part by requiring that large, intact habitats be exempt from forestry Lake communities (Boreal Leadership Council 2003). The Framework calls (Manitoba Boreal Woodland Caribou Management Committee 2014). Winnipegosis for at least half of boreal lands within Canada to be protected and Likewise, the government’s work to manage the protection and Manitoba’s the remainder to be subject to world-leading, ecosystem-based responsible development of peatlands in Manitoba’s boreal forest Great Lakes resource management and state-of-the-art stewardship practices. through the implementation of a Peatlands Stewardship Strategy will help to protect a critical wetland ecosystem upon which waterfowl Manitoba has already worked with a number of First Nations and other species depend (Government of Manitoba 2014a). Lake to develop land-use plans that conserve large portions of their Manitoba The strategy will be anchored with a new Peatlands Stewardship traditional territories while leaving other portions available for Legislation, a first-of-its-kind law designed to protect and conserve sustainable development (Government of Manitoba 2012, 2013). peatlands while regulating their commercial development to ensure The province has also partnered with five First Nations and the recovery. Government of Ontario to nominate a large swath of boreal forest on MAP KEY the east side of Lake Winnipeg called Pimachiowin Aki as a UNESCO Continuing to develop and implement this kind of forward-thinking, WINNIPEG Boreal Forest World Heritage Site (Pimachiowin Aki Corporation). These efforts are integrated land-use planning is the best way to achieve balance Lakes & Rivers 1 A summary of literature cited, including wildlife to be commended and provide a model for similar First Nation-led within the boreal forest. This balance is essential to ensuring long- populations, ecosystem services, and other Manitoba Boundary information about these six locations, can be found land-use planning approaches with other interested First Nations term economic viability throughout the region, while maintaining the at the end of the Literature Cited section. throughout the province. vital ecological functions of Manitoba’s boreal forests, wetlands, and 10 waterways. 11 © FRANK BALDWIN HUDSON BAY LOWLANDS PIMACHIOWIN AKI © JEFF WELLS

The Hudson Bay Lowlands region, Restricted-range species like Harris’s Pimachiowin Aki, which means “the populations of walleye, lake trout, which stretches from just north of Sparrow and Smith’s Longspur reach land that gives life” in Anishinaabe, is lake sturgeon, and northern pike. A Churchill and hugs the Hudson Bay their southeastern limits here, and a fitting name for one of the largest wide variety of songbirds thrive in coastland all the way down into species such as the Palm Warbler and most intact examples of the the expansive, intact forests of the Ontario, is one of the largest and thrive in the vast peatland expanses southern boreal shield ecoregion region, including some of Canada’s truly unique wetland ecosystems across the region. The region’s long remaining in Canada. This 33,400 most threatened. There are at least anywhere in the world. When stretches of coastal marshes are a square-kilometre (8 million-acre) area eight bird species represented in joined with its Ontario and Quebec stronghold for the mysterious and has been nominated as a UNESCO Pimachiowin Aki that are considered counterparts, the Hudson Bay rarely seen Yellow Rail. The rivers natural and cultural World Heritage Species at Risk by COSEWIC: Piping Lowlands form the third largest and wetlands of the region provide Site. Pimachiowin Aki comprises a Plover, Short-eared Owl, Common wetland network and single largest a critical role in purifying and remarkable collection of boreal forest Nighthawk, Whip-poor-will, Olive- peatland system on Earth. These adding nutrients to water draining habitats within a series of watersheds sided Flycatcher, Barn Swallow, peatlands make the region one of into Hudson Bay. The estuaries that originate in Ontario and flow Canada Warbler, and the Rusty the most carbon-dense terrestrial of Manitoba’s major boreal rivers, westward to the eastern side of Blackbird. Having declined by ecosystems on the planet. particularly the Churchill, provide Lake Winnipeg. In fact, the region’s more than three-quarters in recent critical support during the calving four largest rivers provide the ailing decades, these species depend The abundance of wetlands and stages of the iconic beluga whale. lake with more than six million cubic heavily on the intact forests of waterways throughout the region They also support remarkable metres of clean fresh water each year. Pimachiowin Aki. In total, as many provide habitat for a rich and unique populations of the ringed seal, which This nominated area is still highly as 216 bird species rely on the combination of wildlife, particularly comprise the majority of the diet pristine and represents an integral region, reinforcing its reputation as a birds. The productive marine coastline supports exceptional for the polar bears that have put Churchill on the map as an and diverse portion of one of the single largest blocks of intact stronghold for migratory birds. concentrations of migratory waterfowl and shorebirds. internationally renowned tourist destination. forest left on Earth. Species like Hudsonian Godwit and Red Knot feed here to The five First Nations—Bloodvein River, Little Grand Rapids, fuel journeys to wintering grounds in southern South America. Pimachiowin Aki is home to more than 40 native mammals, Pauingassi, Pikangikum, and Poplar River—whose ancestors Black Scoters, Lesser Snow Geese, and a host of other including some of Canada’s most well-known: wolverine, have lived in the area for more than 6,000 years, are working waterfowl are also highly reliant on the shoreline habitats here moose, beaver, and timber wolf. It also encompasses much together with the governments of Ontario, Manitoba and for refueling before making shorter migrations to winter homes of the range of the Atikaki-Berens woodland caribou herd as Canada toward a common goal: to protect, preserve, and gain in the United States. well as other populations of woodland caribou further north. international recognition of this most important boreal forest. The vast network of streams and rivers also produce healthy 12 13 SASKATCHEWAN RIVER DELTA © DUCKS UNLIMITED CANADA

SEAL RIVER WATERSHED © JEREMY DAVIES

When the massive glacial Lake Bird Area. The Saskatchewan River Agassiz retreated over thousands of Delta is known as one of the most years following the end of the last important breeding and staging ice age, it left behind a remarkable, grounds for waterfowl in Canada’s one-of-its kind dual river delta. The entire boreal forest region. Aerial Of the four major rivers that flow the lush environment. It provides vast wetlands of the upper and surveys conducted by the Canadian through Manitoba’s boreal forest the wintering grounds for the lower deltas make the Saskatchewan Wildlife Service and U.S. Fish and and empty out into Hudson Bay, 400,000-strong Qamanirjuaq barren- River Delta one of the largest inland Wildlife Service since the 1950s show the Seal River is one of only two ground caribou herd, which migrate freshwater deltas anywhere in North that an average of nearly 500,000 that are wholly untouched by down from Nunavut each year. The America. The region is brimming ducks nest in the Saskatchewan modern-day development. Within northern portion of the watershed with wetlands—more than 80 percent River Delta each year. This includes the traditional lands of the Sayisi remains one of the only places where of the Saskatchewan River Delta an astonishing 120,000 Mallards, Dene First Nation, the watershed grizzly bear, which had disappeared is comprised of either wetlands or 84,000 Blue-winged Teal, 66,000 offers a unique and diverse range of from Manitoba by 1923, are slowly open, shallow bodies of water. The Lesser Scaup, and 34,000 American terrains and habitats that transition making a return. Further downstream, interwoven complexes of swamps, Wigeon. The Delta supports marshes, and fens have generated nearly 5 percent of the continental from upland barren lands to boreal the Seal River’s estuary comprises incredibly rich deposits of stored population of Ring-necked Duck forest to coastal tundra. The upper the calving and feeding grounds for carbon. In fact, Manitoba’s portion (26,000) and Canvasback (26,000) parts of its watershed are brimming more than 3,000 beluga whales—the of the Delta and adjacent wetlands and nearly 3 percent of Common with hundreds of uniquely shaped largest concentration in the world. alone store more than 160 million Goldeneye (14,000) and Redhead lakes that were carved out following The estuary has also been named tonnes of carbon—around eight (16,000). Its lake shores and islands the last ice age, which are mostly an Important Bird Area for its role in times larger than Manitoba’s total are home to nesting Red-necked surrounded by vast and often supporting thousands of waterfowl, annual greenhouse gas emissions. They are also critical in Grebes, American White Pelicans, Black Terns, Common brilliantly colorful expanses of tundra. shorebirds, and seabirds, including removing pollutants and purifying water from the heavily Terns, Franklin’s Gulls, Bonaparte’s Gulls, Greater Yellowlegs, The northern tree line is first entered large concentrations of Black Scoters, impacted Saskatchewan River further upstream, helping to and Wilson’s Snipe, among others. Hundreds and sometimes further downstream, where small American Black Ducks, and Pectoral reduce nutrient input into Lake Winnipeg. thousands of Sandhill Cranes use the Delta as a stop-over feeding site during migration. Threatened species like the stands of black spruce are introduced Sandpipers. Spring waterfowl surveys These flourishing wetlands are a haven for biodiversity. Some seldom-seen Yellow Rail nest in its sedge marshes. During the shortly following a series of magnificent sand-crowned eskers. of the Seal River Estuary and adjacent Knife River Delta of the highest concentrations of plant diversity in the boreal spring and fall migration hundreds of thousands of migratory A series of powerful rapids navigate through yet another conducted in 2013 documented significant concentrations of can be found here, with more than 230 types of vascular waterfowl pass through the Delta. In total, more than 200 bird expanse of tundra and heath before eventually spilling into a spring breeding waterfowl indicating the regional importance plants documented in the region. They are joined by more species breed within or rely on the region during migration. long and scenic estuary at Hudson Bay. of this area to ducks and geese. Some of its most unusual than 40 mammals as well as more than 45 fish species. Moose, creatures are the harbour seals for which the river originally although in lower numbers now than they were historically, are The Delta is also vitally important to the Cree communities The combination of its varied topography and the absence earned its name and which regularly travel inland as far as 200 still one of the many abundant mammals of the Delta. who have called it home for millennia and who continue to of industrial development have left the Seal River watershed harvest fish and wildlife from its forests and waters. kilometres (124 miles) from the coast. Birds are perhaps most emblematic of how important the with an incredible variety of wildlife. More than 30 types of 14 Delta is for wildlife, marked by its designation as an Important rare plants scarcely seen elsewhere in Manitoba thrive in 15 © GARRY BUDYK © GARRY GRASS, BURNTWOOD, AND UPPER BUDYK © GARRY MANITOBA’S GREAT LAKES CHURCHILL RIVER WATERSHEDS

The Great Lakes of Manitoba live 200,000 birds nesting at 131 sites. The Grass, Burntwood, and Upper including hundreds of Common Terns up to their name in every sense There were more than 80,000 Churchill River watersheds feature and Herring Gulls and thousands of the word. Distinguished from Double-crested Cormorants found a varied landscape of rolling ridges of Ring-billed Gulls and Double- the Great Lakes of North America, nesting at 47 colonies; more than and hills. They were formed by crested Cormorants. Bald Eagles and Manitoba’s Great Lakes—Winnipeg, 80,000 Ring-billed Gulls at 67 glacial deposits interspersed with Common Loons also nest throughout permafrost peatlands in the north the region, feeding their young on Winnipegosis, and Manitoba— colonies; 25,000 American White and flatter, poorly drained bogs, fens, the abundant fish. Many waterfowl respectively represent the 3rd, 7th, Pelicans at 20 colonies; 16,000 and marshes more characteristic of species breed here, including and 9th largest lakes that are wholly Common Terns at 31 colonies; 8,000 the Manitoba Lowlands in the south. widespread Bufflehead, Common within Canada and are all within the Herring Gulls at 90 colonies; and over These landforms make the region a Goldeneye, Ring-necked Duck top 35 largest lakes in the world 6,000 Caspian Terns at 14 colonies. true mosaic of big and small lakes and Green-winged Teal. Wetlands overall. Their shorelines feature In addition to the lakes themselves, studded with rocky islands, flowing support the threatened Yellow Rail as some of the lengthiest and most rivers and streams, cool black spruce- well as long-legged shorebirds like the extensive coastal wetlands productive inland shoreline wetland dominated peatlands, dry jack pine, Solitary Sandpiper and both Greater provide irreplaceable habitat and systems anywhere in Canada. In white spruce, and aspen-dominated and Lesser Yellowlegs as well as sustenance for a variety of plants, addition to providing fish and wildlife ridges and rocky hills, expansive special songbirds like the LeConte’s fish, and wildlife. The Gull Lake habitat, they serve to protect the water saturated fens with sedges and and Nelson’s Sparrow. Manitoba’s Wetlands adjacent to Lake Winnipeg, shoreline from erosion and serve as alder, and other habitats. official bird, the Great Gray Owl, for example, contain 28 different hunts the forest edges throughout a last line of defense to these lake Woodland caribou thrive in this rare species of orchids. As many the region and threatened Common systems by filtering terrestrial runoff region, which contains several very as 19 sites within or along the lake Nighthawks occur in drier upland and associated pesticides, metals, large blocks of intact habitat. Female coastlines have been designated as Important Bird Areas— areas. The area abounds with the fertilizers, and domestic and industrial sewage. Adding to the caribou can find forested islands the highest such cluster of any lake region within Canada. songs of boreal songbirds including region’s uniqueness, rare hypersaline (salty) springs and pools, in lakes and black spruce habitat islands in open peatland Hundreds of thousands of waterfowl regularly stage in the Yellow-bellied Flycatchers, Tennessee Warblers, Magnolia particularly around the northern and western shores of Lake bogs for calving, where they are safe from predators. And lakes during migration, with notably high concentrations Warblers, Swainson’s Thrushes, and Ruby-crowned Kinglets. Winnipegosis, support entire ecosystems usually characteristic throughout the year, both male and female woodland caribou of post-breeding Redheads in Lake Winnipegosis. Shallow of marine environments. are better able to evade predators and find sufficient food These watersheds are home to a diversity of people, with protected marshy areas are important nesting areas for within the region’s large remaining undisturbed and mature multiple First Nations and numerous Métis and non-Aboriginal The shores of Great Lakes of Manitoba are home to more thousands of Western Grebes and Franklin’s Gulls. Large forests and peatlands. They are critical to the species’ long- communities. Manitoba Museum archeological data show that than 20 First Nations and numerous Métis and non-Aboriginal quantities of fish thrive in the Great Lakes, including term survival. River otters, wolverine, and timber wolves are the region has been inhabited for at least 7,000 years, when communities. Many people of these communities rely on the commercial staples such as walleye, lake whitefish, northern among many other mammals that also frequent the area. the people of the region sustained themselves strictly from hunting, fishing and collecting plant resources. Today, many health of these lakes to support their lives and livelihoods pike, and sauger. In fact, fish caught in Manitoba’s Great Lakes The region’s many lakes support thriving populations of fish, of the First Nations and Métis inhabitants continue to practice through tourism and commercial and/or subsistence fishing. comprise the vast majority of its $30 million annual fishing including northern pike, walleye, whitefish, lake trout, and in traditional activities on the lakes and rivers that are integral to industry. some areas the threatened lake sturgeon. Fish populations in Manitoba’s Great Lakes are vitally important for colonially their lives. turn support significant colonial waterbird nesting colonies, 16 breeding waterbirds. A 2012 survey documented more than 17 LITERATURE CITED

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