MEDIA RELEASE—For Immediate Release—November 21 , 2008

Park Logging Stopped!

Victory for the Wilderness Committee in Manitoba!

Wilderness Committee congratulates government on protecting most of Manitoba's parks, finally ending park logging

Tremendous day for the future of wilderness in Manitoba

The government of Manitoba announced an end to nearly all park logging today. The citizens that make up the Wilderness Committee from across Canada would like to congratulate Premier Doer and Conservation Minister Struthers for this historic step. While more work remains to be done with Duck Mountain Provincial Park, today will be remembered as a great and historic day for wild lands in Manitoba.

"This announcement today doesn't just protect our parks," said Eric Reder, Campaign Director for the Wilderness Committee. "We now have an indication that this Manitoba government recognizes the value of natural areas and wild forests goes beyond that which is measured by resource extractors. The ecological and recreation value of intact wild lands is reinforced with this announcement. "

Over 13,000 letters were sent to Premier Doer, asking that he take the action announced today, many of them sent by some of the Wilderness Committee's 70,000 members and supporters. This announcement is the climax of 9 years of work by the Wilderness Committee.

"The bubbly was being cracked open in Wilderness Committee offices across the country today," said Reder. "We work for long stretches without momentous victories. This is indeed a special time for us, and for the next generations."

-30-