Understanding the Value of Nature in the Hudson Bay Lowlands

This webinar highlights the key findings from the newly released Manitoba's Hudson Bay Lowlands: Ecosystem goods and services valuation report, produced by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) and commissioned by CPAWS Manitoba.

The Hudson Bay Lowlands, one of the largest intact wetlands on Earth, play a vital role in our climate, our economy, and our shared future. From storing vast amounts of carbon to filtering water, supporting biodiversity, and sustaining communities, this region provides essential ecological goods and services that benefit us all.

By quantifying these benefits in both physical and monetary terms, this report helps make the hidden value of nature visible to decision-makers, communities, and the public. These insights can inform conservation planning, guide sustainable land use, and strengthen the case for protecting places of global significance.
 

Key Takeaways from the Webinar: 

• The Hudson Bay Lowlands in Manitoba provide an estimated minimum of CAD 250 million annually through services associated with biodiversity conservation, hunting, tourism, and mental health.
• The EGS valuation studies like this can support communication and advocacy for protected area initiatives and other conservation efforts, identify data gaps, and guide strategies to collect more information on people’s preferences for a stronger economic case. They can also serve as inputs in cost-benefit analysis to make more informed decisions on projects and their impacts on ecosystem services and inform outcome measurement for securing financing from diverse sources by connecting services to beneficiaries.
• Monetary valuation of ecosystem services provided by nature is important to identify projects and initiatives that deliver greater benefits to society. At the same time, cultural and non-material values are hard to translate into economic terms. This is especially true for remote areas like the Hudson Bay Lowlands, where non-use values dominate. For example, a large share of economic value might come from communities far from the Lowlands that appreciate its pristine nature, rich biodiversity, and legacy for future generations. Contingent valuation studies that estimate willingness-to-pay beyond local jurisdictions can help shine light on their global significance.
• Balancing development with conservation is critical—land-use planning and traditional knowledge help identify areas for protection.
• Five nations — York Factory First Nation, Fox Lake Cree Nation, Tataskweyak Cree Nation, War Lake First Nation, and Shamattawa First Nation - are coming together to protect shared ancestral lands in the Hudson Bay Lowlands in Manitoba. This land has sustained generations of Indigenous peoples, and it is their hope that it continues to do so.
• The journey of the Kitaskeenan Kanatenihtakwuk Indigenous Protected Area initiative demonstrates the importance of taking time to build trust: five nations worked for six years to create a shared vision and foundation for collaboration. People can support the initiative and learn more at kitaskeenan.ca.

This webinar took place on December 9, 2025. Watch the full recording below or on YouTube.

Our Speakers:

Ron Thiessen is the Executive Director of the Canadian Parks & Wilderness Society (CPAWS) Manitoba. He has been instrumental in establishing 23 parks and protected areas in Manitoba with CPAWS, which is nearly three million hectares of healthy lands and waters conserved for future generations. Ron played a significant role in supporting the Indigenous Nations on the Pimachiowin Aki initiative, which resulted in large protected areas and eventually, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Ron helped raise public support for the project to help soften a backlash aimed at the provincial government for its support of Pimachiowin Aki. Ron has spent many years on individual campaigns working with Indigenous Nations and all involved to secure new protected areas such as Fisher Bay and Little Limestone Lake provincial parks. His leadership together with the CPAWS team has resulted in tens of thousands of letters to the provincial government from citizens in support of protecting wild spaces for nature in Manitoba.

Marina Puzyreva is a senior policy advisor with IISD’s Water team. With an extensive background in economics and public policy, she is investigating a business case for nature-based solutions for improved water outcomes and their co-benefits. Marina has led studies examining the economic value of climate-smart agricultural practices and several large-scale conservation initiatives, including the Seal River Watershed Indigenous Protected Area. She also works with Indigenous partners in Canada to expand understanding of value in policymaking and develop collaborative approaches to managing and protecting our waters. Marina holds master's degrees in economics from the University of Manitoba in Canada and the Higher School of Economics in Russia.

Flora Beardy is a Knowledge Keeper and York Factory First Nation Community Coordinator for Kitaskeenan Kaweekanawaynitamuk. Flora is an Ininew iskwew (Cree woman) born and raised in York Factory First Nation traditional territory between Kaskatamagan and Churchill, Manitoba. Flora is an Elder, mother, community champion and historian. She holds an honorary doctorate from the University of Manitoba for her work documenting the oral history of the York Factory people. She has published a book of Ininew Oral history titled Voices from Hudson Bay and has received Awards of Excellence from Canada Heritage and the National Treasury Board. Flora has worked as an Interpreter and Board Member with Parks Canada; and as a researcher, translator, committee member, and elder advisor for her own community. Flora has recently come out of retirement to lead five Ininew Nations in protecting their shared homeland through the Kitaskeenan Kaweekanawaynitamuk / “Protecting Our Shared Lands” IPCA project.

Our Moderator:

Claire Woodbury is a Conservation Campaign Manager with the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society's Manitoba Chapter. Claire has over twelve years of experience in science communication and public engagement, engaging communities through public events, innovative programs and one-on-one knowledge sharing. Claire brings her passion for environmental protection within a decolonial framework to advocate for the protection of public lands and waters in Manitoba, especially in the north. 

Resources:

• Manitoba's Hudson Bay Lowlands: Ecosystem goods and services valuation (IISD)
• Kitaskeenan Kaweekanawaynitamuk Website and Vision Book (.pdf)
• Protected and Conserved Areas Explained (CPAWS)
• A Value on the Priceless: Ecological goods and services generated in the Seal River Watershed (IISD)
• For Nature-Based Solutions to Be Effective, We Need to Work with Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IISD)
• Birds of Manitoba in the Hudson Bay Lowlands (.pdf) (CPAWS x Audubon)
• Protecting Manitoba’s Wild Spaces: How nature conservation supports our region’s animals, communities, and environment (CPAWS)

Thanks to our webinar partner: