MANITOBA GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCES CALL FOR GRANT PROPOSALS THROUGH FISH AND WILDLIFE ENHANCEMENT FUND - Media Release Sept 21, 2022

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New Members Appointed to Fish and Wildlife Enhancement Committee: Nesbitt

The Manitoba government is calling for applications for the spring 2023 intake of the Fish and Wildlife Enhancement Fund (FWEF), Natural Resources and Northern Development Minister Greg Nesbitt announced today.

“Protecting and enriching provincial fish and wildlife populations is a priority for the Manitoba government, and we understand that many agencies and organizations working in the field are well-positioned to develop initiatives that support sustainability through innovation,” said Nesbitt. “I am pleased to announce that up to $1.3 million is available for successful proposals this year.”

The FWEF provides support for projects that enhance the sustainable use and management of legally harvestable fish and wildlife populations by licensed hunters, fishers and trappers. Non-profit groups, local agencies and research organizations can apply for funding for initiatives that conserve and enhance Manitoba’s fish and wildlife populations including those that:

  • study fish and wildlife populations;
  • promote sustainable and ethical hunting and angling practices through education;
  • protect or improve critical fish and wildlife production habitat; and
  • secure property to provide public access to angling and hunting opportunities or to protect critical fish and wildlife production habitat.

The minister also announced five new members have been appointed to the Fish and Wildlife Enhancement Committee, which provides advice and recommendations to the government on initiatives that may receive grants from the fund. The appointees are:

  • Richard Baydack of La Salle, committee chair
  • Rick Gergatz of Stonewall, Fish Enhancement Fund Subcommittee
  • Doug Leroux of Lac du Bonnet, Fish Enhancement Fund Subcommittee
  • Devin Imrie of Falcon Lake, Wildlife Enhancement Fund Subcommittee
  • Tim Sopuck of Winnipeg, Wildlife Enhancement Fund Subcommittee

Lynda McKerchar of Winnipeg and Aaron Goethe of Swan River are re-appointed to the fish and wildlife subcommittees, respectively. All appointments are for three-year terms expiring Aug. 9, 2025.

In 2020, the Manitoba government announced a historic investment of $20 million to establish an endowment fund with The Winnipeg Foundation to ensure long-term funding support for projects that enhance the sustainable use and management of Manitoba’s fish and wildlife populations.

In addition to the $20 million investment, the province makes an annual contribution of 10 per cent of the licence fees collected from angling, hunting and trapping licence sales.

For more information on the FWEF, visit https://gov.mb.ca/nrnd/fish-wildlife/fish-and-wildlife-enhancement-fund/index.html.

The Manitoba Habitat Heritage Corporation administers the FWEF grant application program on behalf of the Manitoba government.

For information on how to apply to FWEF, visit https://mhhc.mb.ca/fwef/ or contact a grants associate by email at granting@mhhc.mb.ca.