Protecting Manitoba’s Wild Spaces
How nature conservation supports our region’s animals, communities, and environment.
The Hudson Bay Lowlands
Wildlife in Hudson Bay Lowlands
In late summer and early fall, you will find the Hudsonian Godwit and Red Knot feeding in the Hudson Bay Lowlands before taking the flight to South America for the winter. Short- to moderate-distance migrants, such as Smith’s Longspur, Harris’s Sparrow, and Palm Warbler, also thrive in the peatlands. If you’re lucky, you may even see the mysterious Yellow Rail, a species rarely spotted in the wild.
From left to right. Hudsonian Godwit, Harris's Sparrow & Smith's Longspur., Images credit: Christian Artuso.
This graphic is based on extensive aerial surveys of polar bears in the Western Hudson Bay region in 2011, 2016, and 2021. Source: Steep Decline in Western Hudson Bay Polar Bears
The Hudson Bay Lowlands Need Your Help
Shorebirds, Caribou, and polar bears, along with many other species that live and move through the Hudson Bay Lowlands are at risk due to climate change, potential mining activity, and decreased prey populations.
From left to right. White-rumped Sandpiper, Caribou, Image credit: Christian Artuso; Polar Bears, Image credit: Sergey Uryadnikov, Shutterstock license.
Commendably, regional First Nations are working to establish protected and conserved areas that could secure healthy habitats for these species.
Explore Clara Mcleod's stories through her community snapshots.Image credit: Clara Mcleod
Us as First Nations are strong enough if we unite together and demonstrate protecting of the land. And teach our young people. Getting back to those very strong root teachings about protecting the land and protecting the water and protecting Mother Earth. -
Make a Difference Today
You, too, can help protect the landscapes these animals depend on for survival. 1 The Manitoba chapter of the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society is urging the provincial government to help protect this vibrant landscape by supporting Northern communities working to establish Indigenous Protected Areas in the region.
Explore Heather Spence-Botelho's stories through her community snapshots. Image credit: Heather Spence-Botelho
[We are] the eyes and ears to the ground, we’ve been there since before time. Now it’s changed a bit where there’s hydro, scientists, and researchers, and archaeologists go in there. But that’s our old traditional lands, and although they are old traditional lands, that doesn't mean we’re still not utilizing and thriving off of that same land.
