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Manitoba Government Announces New Projects to Protect Fish and Wildlife

The Manitoba government is protecting the province’s abundant natural resources by awarding $780,660 in funding for 21 fish and wildlife improvement projects from the Fish and Wildlife Enhancement Fund (FWEF), Natural Resources and Northern Development Minister Greg Nesbitt announced today.

“Manitoba’s fish and wildlife are precious resources that should be preserved to ensure its sustainability for future generations of Manitobans,” said Nesbitt. “We recognize the important contributions of licensed hunter, anglers and trappers that support the conservation of fish and wildlife and these investments will provide funding for enhancement projects to protect Manitoba’s fish and wildlife populations.”

The FWEF was established to support the conservation of critical fish and wildlife habitats and provide funding to projects that support conservation and sustainable use of Manitoba’s fish and wildlife populations. Projects are identified through a competitive grant process overseen by the minister and through innovative leadership projects recommended by the Fish and Wildlife Enhancement Committee.

“The Manitoba Wildlife Federation (MWF) commemorates the FWEF and the contributions made from hunters, anglers, trappers, and the Manitoba government”, said Carly Deacon, managing director, Manitoba Wildlife Federation. “It is a true testament of our province’s dedication to conservation. FWEF funding provides organizations like MWF the ability to deliver essential programming on a provincial and community level, and redirect licence revenue back to conservation, on-the-ground research, and outdoor education.”

Non-profit groups, academic institutions and community organizations can apply for funding toward eligible expenses for projects including:

• fish and wildlife population enhancement;
• habitat enhancement;
• monitoring and research;
• angler, hunter and trapper education;
• public access; and
• critical fish or wildlife habitat protection.

In 2020, the Manitoba government announced a historic investment of $20 million to ensure long-term funding support for projects that enhance the sustainable use and management of Manitoba’s fish and wildlife populations. In addition to the $20-million investment, the Manitoba government annually contributes 10 per cent of licence fees collected from angling, hunting and trapping licence sales to the fund, noted the minister.