MANAGING TOURISM IN THE CAPE CHURCHILL WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA

1. MANAGING TOURISM IN THE CAPE CHURCHILL WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA

2. Churchill Winnipeg

6. Churchill Cape Churchill Wildlife Management Area Wapusk National Park Cape Tatnam Wildlife Management Area

7. CAPE CHURCHILL WMA • Established in 1978 to protect habitats used by polar bear, caribou, snow geese and Canada geese and other significant avian populations • Wapusk National Park established in 1996 from lands within the WMA • Birding destination since 1930s • Polar bear viewing on commercial basis began on small scale in early 1980s • Annual visitor numbers now exceed 18000 per year

8. CAPE CHURCHILL WMA • Managed under the Manitoba Wildlife Act and Regulations • Management goals are: • to conserve indigenous wildlife including plants, insects and animals as well as their habitat • to encourage scientific research that enhances the department's ability to manage wildlife and its habitats • to create a better awareness of Manitoba's wildlife and conservation measures • to ensure that Constitutional and Treaty obligations to First Nations people are respected and accommodated • to provide opportunities for wildlife viewing and commercial eco-tourism in a manner that will maintain high quality viewing experiences and minimize the impact on the landscape and individual animals • to provide opportunities for hunting and trapping, with special consideration given to the requirements of local residents • to meet Canada’s and Manitoba’s commitment and obligations to the International Agreement on the Conservation of Polar Bears and their Habitat

9. CAPE CHURCHILL WMA • Managed under the Manitoba Wildlife Act and Regulations • Management goals are: • to conserve indigenous wildlife including plants, insects and animals as well as their habitat • to encourage scientific research that enhances the department's ability to manage wildlife and its habitats • to create a better awareness of Manitoba's wildlife and conservation measures • to ensure that Constitutional and Treaty obligations to First Nations people are respected and accommodated • to provide opportunities for wildlife viewing and commercial eco-tourism in a manner that will maintain high quality viewing experiences and minimize the impact on the landscape and individual animals • to provide opportunities for hunting and trapping, with special consideration given to the requirements of local residents • to meet Canada’s and Manitoba’s commitment and obligations to the International Agreement on the Conservation of Polar Bears and their Habitat

10. CAPE CHURCHILL WMA • Land Use Restrictions • off-road use of motor vehicles restricted to designated trails • new trail establishment prohibited • permanent structures prohibited • Activity Restrictions • maximum 2 mobile camps for commercial tourism • maximum 18 off road vehicles for commercial tourism • maximum 6 light helicopters for aerial tours • prohibited entry into designated areas while polar bears are on land

15. CAPE CHURCHILL WMA • Issues Related to Vehicle Use • The area consists of tundra ponds, wetlands, peatlands and stranded beaches

17. CAPE CHURCHILL WMA • Issues Related to Vehicle Use • The area consists of tundra ponds, wetlands, peatlands and stranded beaches • Existing trails are braided in some locations

19. CAPE CHURCHILL WMA • Issues Related to Vehicle Use • The area consists of tundra ponds, wetlands, peatlands and stranded beaches • Existing trails were braided in some locations • Wet areas on the trail are degraded as vehicles made new trails through the wet area

21. CAPE CHURCHILL WMA • Issues Related to Vehicle Use • The area consists of tundra ponds, wetlands, peatlands and stranded beaches • Existing trails were braided in some locations • Wet areas on the trail were degraded as vehicles made new trails through the wet area • Public safety must be foremost in bear country

24. CAPE CHURCHILL WMA • Wildlife Issues • Many species of wildlife are susceptible to disturbance with significant consequences

27. CAPE CHURCHILL WMA • Wildlife Issues • Many species of wildlife are susceptible to disturbance with significant consequences • Tourists paying for facilities demand the “perfect” photo opportunity

29. CAPE CHURCHILL WMA • Wildlife Issues • Many species of wildlife are susceptible to disturbance with significant consequences • Tourists paying for facilities demand the “perfect” photo opportunity often resulting in undesirable effects

31. CAPE CHURCHILL WMA • Management Action on Vehicle Impacts to the Land • Installation of culverts in the worst wet areas • Removal of rocks from selected wet areas • Management Action Enforced on Tour Operators • Public safety standards and requirement that tour groups be under supervision at all times • Prohibition on feeding or baiting wildlife • Minimum approach distances to wildlife • Requirement to vacate area if wildlife react to aircraft by attempting to avoid the aircraft

32. CAPE CHURCHILL WMA • Management Action in Progress • Trail mapping and inventory • Operational guidelines for tundra vehicle drivers • Development of significant land use and activity restrictions in critical wildlife habitats • co-ordinate management of human activities in the WMA with the adjacent Wapusk National Park

33. CAPE CHURCHILL WMA • New Issues to be Addressed in the Future • Increasing numbers of tourists and congested periods of the year

35. CAPE CHURCHILL WMA • New Issues to be Addressed in the Future • Increasing numbers of tourists and congested periods of the year • Steady demand by tour companies for increased access or facilities in the WMA • Capture of revenue from WMA users for maintenance of the lands used for eco-tourism