Manitoba has long been known for its endless supply of fresh water through its network of more than 100,000 lakes. The water resources in the Parkland have provided enormous economic benefit and opportunity for the communities as; livestock, crop production, commercial fishing and tourism rely on dependable quality water. The ecosystem plays a vital role in the rich quality of life shared by residents and tourists who flock to area each year.
Land use potential and land information is based on the Canada Land Inventory (CIL) classifications that are produced by the Canada/Manitoba Land Resource Unit. The Mountainview Planning District is approximately 37.5% crop land, 1.8% forage, 17.7% grassland, 36.2% trees, 3.7% wetlands, 0.8% water and 2.3% urban and transportation.
The core area represents the boreal forest, 1940 shallow ponds and lakes, hills, wet meadows, aspen-spruce parkland, rough fescue prairie and deciduous forest, while the immediate municipalities in the transboundary area form the agro-ecosystem.
Game Hunting Areas 23 and 23A surround the national park and serve to monitor elk and moose population surveys and for consulting & administering provincial hunting regulations.
Riding Mountain Biosphere Reserve
Riding Mountain Biosphere Reserve encompasses the Riding Mountain National Park core area, the transition zone of municipalities surrounding the Park area including the Duck Mountain Provincial Forest.
The Reserve is managed by a Biosphere Reserve Management Committee (BRMC) of adjoining municipalities, area residents and representatives from Riding Mountain National Park and the Province of Manitoba. The committee provides public education on ecosystems, ecotourism and sustainability related to the agricultural economy. The municipal partners encompass 5 PARC communities of Town & RM of Grandview, Town & RM of Gilbert Plains and the RM of Dauphin.