Nearly 1,000 hectares of ecologically significant land in Manitoba’s Interlake region are now permanently protected, demonstrating how conservation and working landscapes can coexist to benefit both nature and local communities.
The Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) announced the conservation of more than 935 hectares through two projects — the Highland Meadowoods property and an expansion of the Swan Lake Wetland-Parkland Complex near Lundar. Together, the projects safeguard prairie grasslands, wetlands and forested areas northwest of Winnipeg while continuing to support traditional land uses such as cattle grazing, haying and hunting.
NCC says the projects highlight the growing recognition that working landscapes — often associated with agriculture and ranching — play a critical role in maintaining healthy ecosystems.
“Working landscapes are sometimes viewed as separate from conservation,” said Kevin Teneycke, regional vice-president for NCC’s Manitoba Region. “But these lands are essential habitat for wildlife and plants, and they also support the people who live and work on them.”
The Swan Lake Wetland-Parkland Complex lands were managed as a livestock operation by the Cruise family for nearly 30 years, maintaining ecological integrity while supporting local livelihoods. The Highland Meadowoods property, formerly stewarded by the Laubstedt family, also supported seasonal cattle grazing and forage production.
Former landowner Jack Cruise said preserving the land for future generations was a driving factor in the decision to conserve the property.
“As I get older, I realize more and more how important it is to preserve some land so future generations can see it in its natural state,” Cruise said. “This land should never be bulldozed or disced, but rotational livestock grazing should allow for preservation and wildlife habitat.”
Both properties contain tall grass prairie — one of the most endangered ecosystems in the world. NCC estimates that up to 90 per cent of Manitoba’s original prairie grasslands have already been lost to land conversion.
Prairie grasslands play a vital role in supporting biodiversity and absorbing carbon, helping landscapes remain resilient in the face of climate change. Wetlands on the conserved lands further enhance resilience by recharging and purifying groundwater, slowing runoff and holding water longer, reducing the impacts of flooding and drought.
Forested areas within the projects provide nesting, feeding and breeding habitat for numerous species of birds, amphibians and mammals. The properties are home to several waterfowl species and species at risk, including eastern whip-poor-will, least bittern and red-headed woodpecker.
The conservation work was made possible through support from the Government of Canada’s Natural Heritage Conservation Program, part of Canada’s Nature Fund, along with contributions from Jim and Leney Richardson, the Richardson Foundation, and the estates of Debbie Zibresky, A. Richard Omatsu and Joy E. Goodwin.
Federal Environment, Climate Change and Nature Minister Julie Dabrusin said the projects reflect Canada’s broader commitment to protecting nature while recognizing the importance of working lands.
“This announcement in Manitoba’s Interlake region highlights Canada’s commitment to protecting nature and mitigating climate change while recognizing the value of working landscapes,” Dabrusin said in a statement.
Secretary of State (Nature) Nathalie Provost added that protecting prairie grasslands, wetlands and forests is essential to sustaining wildlife and maintaining the long-term health of the land.
According to NCC, the conserved lands lie at the transition between prairie and boreal ecozones, supporting a mix of deciduous and mixed-wood forests. Canada’s boreal forest covers roughly 60 per cent of the country’s land mass and holds the largest portion of the world’s land-based carbon.
Since 1962, NCC has worked with communities, Indigenous Nations, governments and businesses to protect lands and waters across the country. The organization says projects like those in the Interlake demonstrate how conservation can strengthen local economies, protect biodiversity and build more resilient communities for generations to come.
