This proposal is a continuation of programmatic waterfowl conservation delivered by manitoba habitat heritage corporation (mhhc) in the prairie-parkland region of the prairie habitat joint venture…

The U.S. Department of the Interior's Fish and Wildlife Service, through the North American Wetlands Conservation Fund (CFDA 15.623), awarded a $1,604,000.00 Project Grant to the Manitoba Habitat Heritage Corporation, doing business as Manitoba Habitat Conservancy, on January 17, 2025. This grant will enable the organization to perpetually protect 2,387 acres of high-quality wetlands and associated uplands in the Manitoba Prairie Habitat Joint Venture (PHJV) target landscapes through conservation easements, fee simple acquisition, and a medium-term securement initiative. The project will also enhance 300 acres of habitat through the installation of new nesting structures and manage 127,135 acres through compliance monitoring, nesting structure maintenance, managed grazing strategies, and vegetation management. These activities directly contribute to the North American Waterfowl Management Plan objectives by improving waterfowl productivity through habitat protection, enhancement, and long-term management strategies in the Prairie-Parkland region of Manitoba.

This proposal is a continuation of programmatic waterfowl conservation delivered by manitoba habitat heritage corporation (mhhc) in the prairie-parkland region of the prairie habitat joint venture (phjv) with concentrated efforts in southwestern manitoba. The actions protect critical waterfowl habitats which attract and retain breeding pairs, provide suitable nesting cover, and essential brood-rearing habitats which drive waterfowl productivity on the landscape. The work proposed within represents a long-standing contribution to the north american waterfowl management plan (nawmp) and phjv objectives. This project will perpetually protect 2,387 acres of high-quality wetlands and associated uplands in the manitoba phjv target landscapes and delivery area. Securement objectives will be accomplished by way of perpetual conservation easements (1,859 acres), fee simple acquisition (268 acres), and through the continuation of mhhcs medium-term (10-year) securement initiative (260 acres). The securement actions protect critical waterfowl habitats which attract and retain breeding pairs in the spring, provide suitable nesting cover for females, and essential brood-rearing habitats necessary for ducklings to reach the flight stage all critical elements to improve waterfowl productivity on the landscape. The project will also enhance 300 acres of habitat through installation of new nesting structures and manage 127,135 acres through activities such as compliance monitoring, nesting structure maintenance, managed grazing strategies, and vegetation management.