Seal River Watershed Alliance and Canadian Governments Sign Historic Agreement to Protect a Vitally Important Watershed in Manitoba

January 18, 2024—In the present day, the Seal River Watershed Alliance signed an agreement with the Authorities of Canada and the Manitoba authorities that may pave the way in which for establishing one of many largest Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas (IPCA) in Canada. The Nationwide Audubon Society applauds this historic step in the direction of defending northern Manitoba’s huge Seal River Watershed, which is without doubt one of the world’s most biologically various and ecologically vital areas for birds and different life.

Dr. Jeff Wells, Audubon’s vp of boreal conservation, mentioned “The Seal River Watershed is an incredible space stuffed with wealthy habitat and biodiversity that helps an estimated 250 fowl species. This consists of 10 million breeding birds, in addition to tens of millions extra that use these very important habitats for refueling and resting whereas on their lengthy migratory journeys throughout our hemisphere.”

 As a result of the watershed has each coastal and inland ecosystems, in addition to each forested and open habitats, it helps an enchanting mixture of fowl species together with a minimum of 350 non-bird species together with 48 mammal species, 26 freshwater fish species, and enormous numbers of bugs, crops, timber, and fungi.

 “This watershed actually has a worldwide affect,” Wells mentioned. “Birds that nest there journey south to winter in areas throughout the U.S., Mexico, the Caribbean, and each Central and South America. Arctic Terns spend winters even additional south in sub-Antarctic waters.”

The watershed is taken into account essential to sustaining and rising wholesome fowl populations all through the hemisphere. Audubon acknowledges that the management and guardianship of the Indigenous governments who’ve stewarded these huge lands for millennia represents the one technique to correctly shield this magnificent area.

Wells added that Audubon’s help for the Seal River Watershed was just lately strengthened throughout a number of knowledgeable and passionate shows given by First Nations leaders and Youth Guardians who have been particular friends at Audubon’s latest Management Convention in Colorado.