Riding Mountain National Park and East Gate NHS

Management Plan Implementation Update

Management Plan Update: 2015

Management Plans:

• Identify long term direction and management actions
• Consistent with Parks Canada Mandate: protect, present, foster understanding for future generations
• Existing plan Tabled in Parliament 2007, Amended 2012
• Plan to be revised every 10 years
• RMNP Revision due 2022

Annual Updates:

• Progress update to partners, stakeholders and public
• Implementation highlights 2015-16

A Place for Nature: Managing for Ecological Integrity

Research:

• Wolf movement and prey selection
• Bison and grazing effects in grasslands
• Bison wallows on grassland species diversity
• Bear movement
• Impact Analysis for the Highway 10 Pavement project

Prescribed Burns: forest and grassland renewal

1100 ha. prescribed burn in 2015 

• 5 year average is 1000 ha/yr
• Largest burn was 4000 ha/yr
• Total area burned since 1994 is 20,000 ha

Aquatic Invasive Species Action:

• Zebra mussel prevention program: boat inspections and public awareness campaign
• Boat cove improvements

Management of Clear Lake

• Developing cooperative agreement with Keeseekoowenin Ojibway FN
• Joint collection of data on whitefish
• Connections restored in streams in Clear Lake and other watersheds
• Documented improvements in nutrient condition of Clear Lake

Bovine Tuberculosis

• Disease levels continue to drop: cattle testing ended, elk testing continues
• Cooperation with First Nations and stakeholders continues at high level

Contaminated site remediation

• Grey Owl Dump, Mt. Agassiz Ski Hill, Wasagaming Gas station: remediated

A Place of Historical and Cultural Significance

East Gate NHS:

• Revitalization and Public information plan finalized

Aspen Archeological site:

• Dig completed with Anishinabe partner involvement
• Further sites on Clear Lake being investigated with partner involvement

Anishinabe Interpretation:

• First Anishinabe Interpreter hired,
• Traditional Knowledge Council established
• 28 events, 7200 contacts

Engaging Canadians: Opportunities for Learning

Outreach/Promotion programs

• Assiniboine Zoo programs: 14,035
• Festival du Voyageur/Man. Museum other venues: 8,206
• Grey Cup Parade/promotional events 67,000

Park Interpretation:

• New Anishinabe Interpreter hired, program developed
• 7500 visitors attended park programs (June-Oct and December)
• 100 schools, 2090 students attended guided park programs

A Place for People: Opportunities for Visitor Experience

• Expansion of Otentik camping facilities
• Revitalization of Wasagaming Campground
• Mountain Bike Trails development
• Lake Audy Campground Redesign
• Reopening of Mt. Agassiz site to day use
• Trail Stewards/Friends of Riding Mountain continue with 4th year of ski trail grooming

A Place for Community: Wasagaming

• Community Plan for Wasagaming signed
• Discussions on Destination Marketing Organization launched
• Limited winter services provided
• Special Events Series delivered in cooperation with various partners, Friends of Riding Mountain

Throughways and Utilities

Highway 10 resurfacing begins

• $36 million
• Anishinabe/Private Company Partnership
• First year of 5 year project

Revitalize Wasagaming Campground

• $2.5 million
• shower/washrooms, electrical services

Water/sewer services installed/upgrades to showers in Old Campground,

• $2.4 million

Revitalize Maintenance Compound: building reduction/rebuild

• $2.5 million

A Place for Open Management: Strategy for Regional Integration

Riding Mountain Forum and Senior Officials Forum

• Maintain dialogue and working relationships with seven First Nation communities surrounding RMNP

Riding Mountain Advisory Board

• Provide advice on key management plan topics

Wasagaming Tenants Association

• Annual meetings with cottage, cabin owners and businesses

Bovine TB Stakeholder Advisory Committee

• Annual meetings to provide updates and seek advice

Riding Mountain Liaison Committee

• Maintain dialogue and working relationships with surrounding rural municipalities and provincial government related to trans-boundary issues.

Riding Mountain Biosphere Reserve

• Lead strategic planning exercise and report to UNESCO on biosphere status and accomplishments.

Travel Manitoba

• Continue joint marketing initiatives and working relationships
• Clear Lake Country Destination Marketing Organization