Park management

The plan was developed in the early 1970s to provide a framework for establishing new national parks. To create the plan, scientists divided the country into 39 distinct natural regions based on landscape and vegetation. Parks Canada continues to work towards ensuring that all 39 regions will eventually contain at least one national park. To view a map showing current progress on completing the national park system, see Map - Completing Canada's National Parks System.

The Wapusk National Park Management Board was established in 1996 to consider matters relating to the planning, management and operation of the park, and to make recommendations on these matters to Canada's Environment Minister and Minister responsible for Parks Canada. The ten-member board is made up of representatives of Government of Canada; Province of Manitoba; Town of Churchill; Fox Lake Cree Nation; and York Factory First Nation. The work of the Board reflects the philosophy, expressed in the PDF document: Wapusk Park Establishment Agreement (PDF, 1.3 MB), that people are Keepers of the Land.       

Research and monitoring programs are important tools that can be used to gain an understanding of ecological resources and processes in the park. Monitoring also allows park managers to determine the effectiveness of management actions.

Learn more about Research and Monitoring