Geography Matters: Targeting "hotspots" for cumulative environmental benefits

Key Messages

• Using publicly available spatial data, we identified “hotspots” in Manitoba that will benefit most from targeted investment in natural infrastructure and improved beneficial management practices.

• The three "hotspots" we identified for improved water quality are Southwest Red River Valley, Southwestern Manitoba and Southeast Red River Valley.

• Targeting these areas will allow us to focus our limited resources and ultimately improve the overall environmental health of the province through better water quality, sustainable agriculture and carbon sequestration. 

Geographic targeting, using new and historical datasets, is an important tool for environmental programming in Manitoba. Provincial priorities—including improved water quality, sustainable agriculture and carbon sequestration—can all be assisted by a geographically targeted approach to management actions.

Using publicly available spatial data, we identified “hotspots” in Manitoba—Southwest Red River Valley, Southwestern Manitoba and Southeast Red River Valley—that will benefit most from targeted investment in natural infrastructure and improved beneficial management practices.

Targeted approaches will optimize upcoming investments in both carbon sequestration in agricultural soils, while a Growing Outcomes in Watersheds program in Manitoba could support better incentive programs for priority environmental services.