Riding Mountain Biosphere Reserve, Biosphere reserve in Manitoba, Canada
Riding Mountain Biosphere Reserve is a protected area in Manitoba covering approximately 3000 square kilometers with forests, wetlands, and grasslands. It is home to black bears, moose, and more than 250 bird species that use the varied habitats throughout the year.
UNESCO designated the area as a biosphere reserve in 1986, bringing together Riding Mountain National Park and twelve surrounding municipalities under unified protection. This recognition followed decades of conservation efforts in the region.
Four First Nations communities - Rolling River, Keeseekoowenin, Waywayseecappo, and Tootinaowaziibeeng - maintain active ties to the lands and resources of the reserve. These relationships shape how people in the area live and understand the landscape today.
Multiple trails throughout the reserve allow for hiking, cycling, and horseback riding suited to different experience levels. Seasons change the landscape significantly, so bring appropriate gear for warm summers or cold winters depending on when you visit.
The Manitoba Escarpment and Shell River Valley create distinct ecological zones where grasslands meet deciduous and boreal forests. This unusual geography allows three different forest types to exist side by side within the same reserve.
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