An Indigenous-led project in Manitoba aims to protect bird species where they thrive

North America's bird population has plummeted, but in Manitoba's Seal River watershed, an Indigenous-led conservation plan is uncovering a thriving bird population, with over 100 species documented in the region.

Julia-Simone Rutgers reports for The Narwhal.

In short:

• North America has lost nearly 3 billion birds in 50 years, but over 100 species were found in Manitoba's Seal River watershed.
• The watershed's Indigenous communities are leading a multi-year effort to protect this area, home to a wide range of birds, including species at risk.
• Birds face numerous threats from habitat loss and climate change, making the conservation of large, intact ecosystems like Seal River critical.

Key quote:

“We have a remarkable opportunity here because the watershed is still full of so much song, still full of so many birds.”

— Stephanie Thorassie, executive director of the Seal River Watershed Alliance

Why this matters:

Protecting the Seal River watershed is crucial to sustaining bird species that have been devastated elsewhere by human activity. This effort highlights the importance of Indigenous-led conservation in preserving biodiversity.

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• Winged Warnings: Built for survival, birds in trouble from pole to pole
• For the birds: Avian art connects, educates, conserves.
• Winged Warnings: Loss of night