In this video series, the Manitoba Wildlife Federation explores the growing challenges to public access on Manitoba’s Crown lands — and what we’re doing to protect your ability, and your children’s ability, to enjoy these outdoor spaces for generations to come. Through this series, we’ll unpack the complexities surrounding conservation targets, land designations, and how these decisions impact hunters, anglers, and outdoor enthusiasts across our province.
What if your favourite hiking trail, fishing spot, or hunting ground was suddenly off-limits? In this episode, the Manitoba Wildlife Federation examines a growing trend inBritish Columbia, where public access to Crown lands and provincial parks has been restricted to non-Indigenous users under new management arrangements. Temporary closures at popular destinations such as Botanical Beach and Joffre Lakes Provincial Park highlight how unilateral decisions can reduce access for the broader public — and why Manitobans should be paying close attention.
The video explores how similar policies could soon impact Manitoba, where recent decisions have already reduced hunting opportunities and discussions are underway to create new federally managed Indigenous Protected Areas (IPAs), including the vast Seal River Watershed. While the Manitoba Wildlife Federation fully supports fulfilling Treaty Land Entitlement obligations, we believe these new land designations risk excluding Manitobans from lands and waters that have always been open to the public.
There are better, science-based ways to conserve our natural spaces — through provincial parks and Wildlife Management Areas — that protect habitat while keeping access open for all. It’s time for Manitobans to make their voices heard and ensure that public lands remain public.
