April 22, 2021
Manitoba Invests in Sustainability of Provincial Parks with $20-Million Endowment Fund
– – –Province Ensuring Parks Remain Accessible, Safe Places to Connect with Nature: Pallister
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The Manitoba government continues to invest in the modernization and enhancement of provincial parks through the creation of the new $20-million Provincial Parks Endowment Fund that will support park improvements and programming in perpetuity, Premier Brian Pallister and Conservation and Climate Minister Sarah Guillemard announced today.
“Our provincial parks are precious assets that can never been taken granted. The natural beauty and recreational opportunities found in our parks has provided solace and relief for many Manitobans throughout the pandemic,” said Pallister. “Our government is making this investment in the future of our provincial parks today because their value – and their importance – has never been more apparent and there is no better time to make this announcement than on Earth Day.”
The Provincial Parks Endowment Fund will be managed by The Winnipeg Foundation and is expected to generate as much as $1 million annually, the premier added. Funds will be dispersed through a process involving citizen and stakeholder engagement to determine project priorities.
The Manitoba government is committed to ensuring the provincial park system remains accessible to all, said Guillemard. This endowment fund will assist in offsetting the changing demands and increased costs of enhancing and sustaining provincial parks, including their critical infrastructure, but is not designed to replace existing provincial park funding, she added.
The fund also encourages private and philanthropic contributions and enables the province to follow the wishes of generous donors who want to leave a legacy of support for Manitoba’s provincial parks. With a matching formula that provides one dollar for every two dollars donated from other sources, the fund has the capability to grow and support even more projects and improvements, the premier noted.
“Manitoba saw record volumes of campground reservations during the staggered opening of bookings this year, which demonstrates the interest and the attachment Manitobans have to their provincial parks,” said Guillemard. “The preservation of our parks is a key component of our Made-in-Manitoba Climate and Green Plan, and this substantial investment will help ensure important park improvements and programming can continue well into the future.”
The fund will support a variety of projects including:
• development and maintenance of trails and boardwalks;
• improvements to amphitheatres, shelters, playground equipment, docks and launches;
• park road maintenance;
• habitat restoration and enhancement;
• historical assets and cultural sites;
• infrastructure to support programming;
• machinery and operational equipment;
• municipal servicing infrastructure;
• campground enhancements; and
• interpretive infrastructure to support programming.
“Manitobans will benefit from the province’s foresight through the establishment of an endowment fund today that will continue to pay dividends year after year,” said Rick Frost, chief executive officer, The Winnipeg Foundation. “This latest fund collaboration means we can all continue to see improvements in our provincial park system and share in the great outdoor opportunities Manitoba parks present.”
This investment builds on the province’s significant progress with its Made-in-Manitoba Climate and Green Plan, as Manitoba does its part to mitigate climate change. Recent accomplishments include:
• the implementation of biofuel regulations that exceed the federal mandate and that will reduce emissions from the transportation sector,
• the establishment of the five-year Carbon Savings Account system,
• the launch of the Efficient Trucking Program,
• the increase of the Conservation and Climate Fund to $1 million, and
• the creation of the $102-million Conservation Trust and $108-million Growing Outcomes and Watersheds and Wetlands Trust to promote conservation of natural areas.
Additional information about the Made-in-Manitoba Climate and Green Plan can be found at www.gov.mb.ca/climateandgreenplan/index.html.
To learn more about Manitoba’s provincial parks, visit www.gov.mb.ca/sd/parks/.
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