IntroductionGoose Islands, Grand Island and Pemmican Island Park Reserves are all located in an area of Lake Winnipegosis approximately 175 kilometres north of Dauphin.

Goose Islands Park Reserve is 145 ha in size and includes five separate island areas adjacent to the eastern shore of central Lake Winnipegosis. The island areas are comprised of boulders, gravel, mud flats, marshes and sand beaches. Inland areas of the islands include small stands of willow and alder and occasional white birch. The islands are home to numerous double-crested cormorants, Caspian terns, common terns, ring billed gulls and herring gulls.

Grand Island Park Reserve is 1,035 ha in size and is located adjacent to the western shore of central Lake Winnipegosis. The park reserve also includes two smaller islands adjacent to Grand Island. The island areas are comprised of dolomite bedrock outcrops and cliffs, gravel ridges, marshes and mud flats. The islands contain mixed-wood forests and stands of willow. The park reserve provides habitats to populations of white-tailed deer, moose, fox, coyote, numerous songbirds, cormorants, white pelicans, ring billed gulls, herring gulls and common tern.

Pemmican Island Park Reserve is 22 ha in size and located near the western shore of central Lake Winnipegosis. The park reserve is comprised of limestone outcrops and cliffs, boulders, gravel and sand. Inland areas contain forest stands of trembling aspen, Manitoba maple and American elm. The park reserve provides habitat for various colonial waterbirds, especially to double-crested cormorants.

What is a Park Reserve?To assist in the creation of new provincial parks and protected areas, The Provincial Parks Act provides for the establishment of park reserves. Park reserves provide interim protection while being considered for inclusion in the provincial park system or protected areas network.

Park reserves are placed on candidate areas for an initial period of six months and can be extended for a period of five years. Public review occurs during this period to determine a final designation, select park boundaries and identify land use categories.

Goose Islands, Grand Island and Pemmican Island Park Reserves

Proposal to Renew Goose Islands, Grand Island and Pemmican Island Park Reserves

Goose Islands, Grand Island and Pemmican Island were first established as park reserves in June 2001. To continue protecting important natural and cultural values of the region while discussions took place, the park reserves were renewed in 2006 for a second five-year period ending December 2011.

Proposal• To renew Goose Islands,

Grand Island and Pemmican Island Park Reserves for an additional five-year term in order to conduct further consultations considering final provincial park proposals for the areas.

The Provincial Parks Act specifies that provincial parks are dedicated to the people of Manitoba. Provincial parks are recognized as special places that play an important role in the protection of natural lands and the quality of life for Manitobans.

These park reserves are classified as “Backcountry” land use category under The Provincial Parks Act. A Backcountry land use category protects natural areas and contributes to Manitoba’s network of protected areas by legally prohibiting commercial logging, mining, hydroelectric development, oil and gas development and any other activity that may significantly or adversely affect habitat.

The rights of First Nations and other Aboriginal people to access the areas for hunting, trapping, fishing and other traditional pursuits would be respected and maintained.

Share your ViewsWe want to hear from you. Your input will help shape the future of Goose Islands, Grand Island and Pemmican Island Park Reserves.

To obtain a comment sheet, please visit www.manitobaparks.com or call Manitoba Conservation at 204-945-6784 or (toll free) 1-800-214-6497.

Your comments must be received no later than November 21, 2011. You can email us directly at parksystem@gov.mb.ca or send your comments to:

Park Reserves RenewalParks and Natural AreasBox 53, 200 Saulteaux CrescentWinnipeg, MB R3J 3W3Fax: 204-945-0012