Profiling Manitoba, Canada - the Pembina Valley

General Description

The Pembina Valley, located in southern Manitoba (Canada) and northern North Dakota (USA), lies within the Aspen Parkland of the Prairie ecozone. The Pembina River threads its way through the valley, flowing nearly 550 km from its source in the Turtle Mountains to the Red River. This picturesque valley is located about 120 km southwest of Winnipeg, within the rural municipalities of Stanley and Pembina. The valley supports a variety of habitats from aspen-oak forests to mixed grasslands and agricultural fields.

Importance for conservation

The Pembina Valley supports a rich diversity of flora and fauna. White-tailed Deer, Wild Turkeys and Red Squirrels are found year-round. Manitoba’s premier hawk migration occurs each spring through the Pembina Valley. Thousands of raptors, including vultures, hawks, falcons and eagles, make their way northward through this migration corridor. Over two hundred species of birds migrate through or breed in the valley. The Red-headed Woodpecker and the Monarch butterfly, both species of special concern on Canada’s species at risk list, have been seen in the valley. Valley habitats and wildlife are afforded some level of ecological protection through the Pembina Valley Provincial Park and 12 provincially-designated Wildlife Management Areas.

Conservation concerns

Much of the valley’s biodiversity remains to be inventoried and monitored. In order to aid in the protection of this beautiful valley, one of A Rocha's priorities will be to determine abundance and distribution of wildlife and plants. Agriculture is a major land use activity in the Pembina Valley and landowners face a challenge to conserve the integrity of ecosystem elements, while still making a living off the land. A Rocha hopes to do its part in conserving biodiversity through partnering with landowners and conservation agencies.

Achievements to date

A Rocha initiated Manitoba’s most intensive spring raptor migration monitoring effort to date. A month-long project during March and April 2005 provided important information on raptor migration chronology, species and abundance. The Raptor Awareness Day, held in nearby Morden in April 2005, was organized by A Rocha in cooperation with other conservation agencies and individuals. This was successful by enabling the public to gain an appreciation for these magnificent birds of prey in their own airshed.

Vision for the future

A Rocha Canada, through its Pembina Valley Biodiversity Project, hopes to promote understanding, appreciation and sustainable stewardship of God’s creation. The recent property purchase of 43 ha of valley land will enable A Rocha to provide community, hosting, witness, and research and stewardship opportunities to local, regional, national and international participants. Of importance will be inventorying and monitoring valley flora and fauna, locating species at risk, promoting education and stewardship. The Manitoba Important Bird Area program, in cooperation with partner agencies such as A Rocha, Manitoba Conservation and the Pembina Valley Conservation District, submitted a nomination to Bird Studies Canada requesting 43 square km of the Pembina Valley be designated as an Important Bird Area (IBA). The IBA program is an international conservation program which recognizes areas of significance to birds. If approved, A Rocha would become the “champion” for this site and be responsible for implementing a management plan in cooperation with other partners.