The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
The Delta Heritage Marsh northwest of Portage la Prairie will expand following the purchase of 32 hectares (80 acres) of land, Conservation Minister Stan Struthers has announced. "Although this land is of little value for farming, it is an attractive nesting area for grassland birds such as bobolinks and waterfowl," said Struthers. "This low-lying land is subject to flooding from time to time so this formerly cultivated parcel has returned to marsh and wet meadow, ideal for waterfowl." Wetlands contribute to improved water quality by filtering out nutrients and recharging groundwater, which benefits the surrounding community. Approximately 12,000 hectares of the marsh is owned by the province, while the balance is privately owned. The recent acquisition is located 1.6 kilometres east of the Portage Diversion and is adjacent to existing Crown lands that comprise the heritage marsh. Delta Marsh is one of several large marshes recognized as heritage marshes in Manitoba. It is one of the largest freshwater marshes in the world, encompassing some 25,000 hectares. It stretches across the vast southern edge of Lake Manitoba and has attracted waterfowl hunters from across the world. The marsh is well known for the Delta Marsh Field Station (University of Manitoba), the Delta Waterfowl Research Station and the Delta Marsh Bird Observatory. The marsh is recognized as a wetland of international importance (Ramsar Convention) and an important bird area (BirdLife International). "This acquisition will help protect additional land for wildlife in this area for generations to come," said Struthers. "Acquiring this parcel is beneficial for both the producer who had little success farming it and for wildlife in the long term."
