Pemmican Island, located in the north basin of Lake Winnipegosis, has been designated as Manitoba's 93rd provincial park.
The island is 27 hectares in size and boasts limestone outcrops and cliffs, and trees like Manitoba maple, trembling aspen, and American elm. There are also several species of birds protected by legislation. Some of those birds include the double-crested cormorant (pictured above), Caspian tern, and common merganser.
The province's minister of Natural Resources and Northern Development, Greg Nesbitt, made the announcement yesterday. Nesbitt said the island will be protected and will stay undeveloped, to ensure people are able to enjoy the natural sites. The island will also have continues access for Indigenous Peoples to hunt, trap, fish, and carry out cultural pursuits.
Since 1990, Manitoba has seen its protected and conserved land grow from 350,000 hectares to a little over 7,200,000. This represents around 11.1% of the entire province.
