Put ecosystem to work: Restoring wetlands, managing watersheds could save Lake Winnipeg

As concerns rise over what to do about rising levels of phosphorus in Lake Winnipeg, the Director of Sustainable Natural Resources Management for IISD, Henry David Venema, offers natural ecosystem solutions.

Payments for ecosystems allows for the protection of upstream water quality to ensure that communities downstream can enjoy clean safe water. By paying farmers not to pollute we can avoid the costly water treatment plants infrastructure and protect our natural environment at the same time. Other organizations such as Ducks Unlimited suggest that protection of our watersheds is critical to allow for the natural filtration of water and the protection of wildlife. All of these options require a change in thinking from concrete solutions to natural ones.