A vast boreal area in Manitoba and Ontario is a step closer to World Heritage Status. First Nations (aboriginal) groups and the provincial and federal governments have been working toward this goal for years. A UNESCO designation would result in greater restrictions on development of the mostly pristine boreal forest and the vast numbers of mammals, birds and fish that live there.

A vast boreal area in Manitoba and Ontario is a step closer to World Heritage Status. First Nations (aboriginal) groups and the provincial and federal governments have been working toward this goal for years. A UNESCO designation would result in greater restrictions on development of the mostly pristine boreal forest and the vast numbers of mammals, birds and fish that live there.

Recommendation of boreal forest for World Heritage status

An area larger than Belgium.

Two distinctly different areas in Canada have joined 15 other sites around the world as recommended for World Heritage status for 2016.

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and the International Commission on Monuments and Sites have forwarded their recommendation to UNESCO’s World Heritage Committee.

One of the sites in Canada is a huge area bigger than Belgium. The area lies east of Lake Winnipeg straddles the boundary between the provinces of Manitoba and Ontario.

The area of boreal forest is called ‘Pimachiowin Aki’, which in the Asnishinaabe (Ojibway) language means, ‘land that gives life’,

The proposed area of over 33,000 sq/km is home to many species of mammals, fish and birds. A UNESCO designation would add a level of preservation to the boreal forest area.
The proposed area of over 33,000 sq/km is home to many species of mammals, fish and birds. A UNESCO designation would add a level of preservation to the boreal forest area. © Manitoba Wildlands

Mathew Jacobson,  conservation officer with the American group, Pew Charitable Trust applauded the recommendation saying

“The inscription of Pimachiowin Aki would fill an identified gap in the World Heritage System as the first representation of the North American boreal shield. At 33,400 square kilometres (8.25 million acres), the area contains the largest protected section of that ecosystem in North America.”

The other Canadian site is on the edge of Newfoundland. Mistaken Point is home to the oldest-known evidence of early multi-cellular life — a 565-million-year-old sea floor that’s been slowly exposed by the pounding Atlantic surf.

Mistaken Point, on the southern tip of Newfoundland takes its name for being mistaken in the often foggy weather for Cape Race further north. Sailors who made the mistake would turn toward shore thinking they were headed for Cape Race harbour, only to have their ships wrecked on the rocks.
Mistaken Point, on the southern tip of Newfoundland takes its name for being mistaken in the often foggy weather for Cape Race further north. Sailors who made the mistake would turn toward shore thinking they were headed for Cape Race harbour, only to have their ships wrecked on the rocks. © google maps

The ecological  reserve is being proposed due to the wealth of fossils  found there providing a milestone in the history of the earth.  If approved, it would be the fourth World Heritage site for the province, joining Red Bay in Labrador, Gros Morne National Park, and the Viking settlement at L’anse aux Meadows.

A final decision on the nomination will be made at UNESCO meetings this July in Istanbul.

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