The City of Brandon has announced that five of its owned lands along the Assiniboine River will be added to Manitoba’s Network of Protected and Conserved Areas. In a release, they said this means the land will be protected against future development.
The five areas that will be protected are the Oeti Natural Area, Eleanor Kidd Park, Brandon Riverbank, Shunkawakan Onazin Natural Area, and Dinsdale Park.
“Manitobans care about nature.” said Mike Moyes, Minister of Environment and Climate Change. “Protected areas, in Brandon and across our province, provide critical habitat for
plants and animals, give us clean air and water, store carbon, protect our communities during extreme weather, and support our well-being and mental health. I applaud the City of Brandon for their commitment to ensure that future generations of Manitobans can enjoy these newly protected areas. This announcement supports our government’s commitment to protect more of Manitoba’s diverse landscapes.”
“Protecting these spaces just makes sense. They’re part of what makes Brandon such a great place to live, whether you’re out for a walk by the river, watching wildlife, or just spending time with family,” said Mayor Fawcett. “By working with the Province and our partners, we’re making sure these areas are here for the long run. These lands support recreation, connect residents with nature, and provide important environmental benefits such as flood mitigation, wildlife habitat, and climate resilience. This designation recognizes the strong stewardship already taking place and reinforces the City of Brandon’s commitment to protecting these spaces.”
The release added that the river corridor contains wetlands, grasslands, and native plants that help filter water, reduce erosion, manage flooding and store carbon. These natural systems act as a living buffer against extreme weather while providing cooling benefits during hot summer months.
