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Top executives of Canadian environmental groups to present first
Environmental Leadership Award for promotion of Pimachiowin Aki
World Heritage Project
WINNIPEG,
MB — The top executives of major Canadian environmental groups
will present Manitoba Premier Greg Selinger and Pimachiowin Aki
Corporation with the groups’ inaugural Environmental Leadership
Award at a reception Monday evening, in recognition of their
efforts to secure UNESCO World Heritage status for the
Pimachiowin Aki site.
The project site spans more than 40,000 square kilometers of
largely intact boreal forest from the eastern shore of Lake
Winnipeg into northern Ontario. The area encompasses the
traditional lands of five First Nations, as well as two large
wilderness provincial parks. The forest, rivers, lakes and
wetlands within the borders of the Pimachiowin Aki site offer
critical habitat for many species, including the threatened
woodland caribou, and provide the equivalent benefit of roughly
$130 million each year in “ecosystem services” such as fishing
and water filtration.
“We applaud Pimachiowin Aki Corporation and Premier Selinger for
their outstanding leadership and vision in protecting this
critical ecosystem network and First Nations cultural heritage,”
said Dr. Rick Smith, executive director of Environmental
Defence. “This is an extremely important venture and we’re proud
to see such forward-looking environmental protection taking
place in Canada, and on behalf of all Canadians.”
The UNESCO World Heritage bid could be compromised by a proposal
to cut a hydro transmission corridor through the forested
Pimachiowin Aki site, rather than along the official preferred
route west of Lake Winnipeg. Canada’s leading environmental
organizations are joining concerned Manitobans who recognize the
importance of preserving the natural and cultural heritage in
the boreal region.
“The east side of Lake Winnipeg is part of the world’s largest
intact section of boreal forest,” said Ron Thiessen, executive
director of the Manitoba chapter of the Canadian Parks and
Wilderness Society. “As this area presents one of Earth’s last
opportunities for preserving a huge and unbroken wilderness,
keeping Bipole III away is wise move based on long-term
thinking.”
“Manitobans have a rare opportunity to create a lasting legacy
by choosing to prevent industrial development — such as the
proposed hydro transmission corridor — in this ecologically
sensitive and significant region,” said Marlo Raynolds,
executive director of the Pembina Institute. “There are other
options that would allow both the protection of this area, and
the new transmission line to be built.”
“One-third of the world’s boreal forest is rooted in Canada, but
less than ten per cent of this area is protected from
development,” said Gerald Butts, CEO of WWF Canada. “This world
heritage project offers a critical opportunity to show the world
that Manitobans recognize the value of this life-giving land,
and are determined to preserve it for the benefit of future
generations.”
“The boreal is a place of diverse life and immense beauty,” said
Peter Robinson, CEO of the David Suzuki Foundation. “It is one
of the few truly wild places remaining in Canada, and protecting
this area as a UNESCO World Heritage Site would keep it that way
— not just for Canadians, but for the world.”
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