The Manitoba Wildlife Federation (MWF) is calling on you to help protect public access to our natural areas for hunting and fishing. The proposed Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas (IPCA) initiative and the 30×30 conservation goals could restrict access for licensed hunters and anglers, threatening Manitoba’s outdoor traditions, local economies, and conservation efforts.
To ensure your concerns are heard, we encourage you to email or call the Ministers of Natural Resources and Indigenous Futures, and Environment and Climate Change.
How to Send Your Email:
- Copy the provided email template below.
- Open your email client (Gmail, Outlook, etc.).
- Paste the email template into the body of the email.
- Address your email to both Ministers:
- Hon. Ian Bushie: minnrif@manitoba.ca
- Hon. Tracy Schmidt: minecc@manitoba.ca
- Use the subject line: Concern Regarding IPCA and 30×30 Conservation Goals.
- Include your first name, town, and postal code at the end of the email.
- Click Send.
Make a Phone Call for Greater Impact:
A phone call is just as effective—if not more so—than an email. It allows your voice to be heard directly by the Ministers’ staff. Here’s how:
- Hon. Ian Bushie: Call (204) 945-4364 (Legislative Office) or (204) 792-8740 (Constituency Office).
- Hon. Tracy Schmidt: Call (204) 945-3730 (Legislative Office) or (204) 661-1377 (Constituency Office).
When you call, express your concerns in a polite and concise manner. Mention that you oppose any conservation initiatives that restrict access for hunters and anglers and emphasize the cultural and economic importance of these activities in Manitoba.
Why Your Voice Matters:
Every email and phone call contributes to a stronger, united effort to protect our access to Manitoba’s outdoors. Together, we can ensure that conservation initiatives respect the traditions, economies, and communities that rely on sustainable hunting and angling.
Let’s make our voices heard!
Email Template:
(Copy and paste the following template into your email)
Subject: Concern Regarding IPCA and 30×30 Conservation Goals
Dear Hon. Ian Bushie and Hon. Tracy Schmidt,
I am writing to express my concerns about the Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas (IPCA) initiative and the 30×30 conservation goals. While I strongly support conservation and sustainable management of Manitoba’s natural areas, I am deeply worried about how these initiatives might impact public access and traditional activities like licensed hunting and angling.
Hunting and fishing are more than traditions for Manitobans—they are pillars of our local economies, vital tools for effective conservation, and cherished ways of life. These activities generate critical funding for habitat restoration and wildlife management while fostering a deep connection to the land among participants. Restricting access under IPCA or 30×30 goals risks undermining these benefits and alienating communities that have always been stewards of the environment.
I urge the provincial government to prioritize made-in-Manitoba conservation approaches that ensure continued access for all Manitobans while balancing ecological preservation. Designating areas as Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) or similar frameworks could achieve these goals without excluding sustainable hunting and fishing practices.
Thank you for considering my comments. I look forward to seeing a balanced approach that respects both conservation and Manitobans’ rights to enjoy and sustain our natural heritage.
Sincerely,
[Your First Name]
[Your Town, MB]
[Your Postal Code]
