Don W. Orchard Wildlife Management Area becomes reality

It's official. The Deerwood Wildlife Management Area northwest of Miami is now the Donald W. Orchard Wildlife Management Area.
    
A sign indicating the change went up in spring, but Orchard along with officials from the Manitoba Wildlife Federation and Midland MLA Blaine Pedersen officially unveiled it last weekend. 

Pedersen says the renaming is in honour of a lifetime of conservation work by the former MLA and area farmer.

"He farmed right next door to this Wildlife Management Area and has always been a great proponent of making sure that we have these sanctuaries for wildlife and birds."

Orchard is also a champion of soil and water management.

"He was connected, during his farming days, with the Deerwood soil and water group that's done a lot of conservation work in the escarpment area," added Pedersen. "It was also during his time in government when the Manitoba Government was buying these parcels of land for wildlife sanctuaries. He always been, continues to be a great proponent of soil, water and wildlife conservation."

In spring 2021, the Province announced plans to name eight Wildlife Management Areas after prominent Manitobans who have been instrumental in enhancing the province's wildlife resources.