An expanse of boreal shield straddling the Ontario-Manitoba border will be Canada's first mixed cultural and natural World Heritage Site, according to an announcement Sunday.

The decision was announced by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization's World Heritage Committee at its meeting in Manama, Bahrain.

Pimachiowin Aki is nearly 30,000 sq. km. of boreal forest that encompasses the traditional lands of four Anishinaabe First Nations as well as Atikaki and South Atikaki Provincial Parks in Manitoba, Woodland Caribou Provincial Park and the Eagle–Snowshoe Conservation Reserve in Ontario.

In Anishinaabemowin, Pimachiowin Aki translates to "the land that gives life."

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"When I was growing up, my grandfather used to visit quite often and would tell me stories about how important the land was for the First Nations people within the area," said William Young, co-chair of the Pimachiowin Aki Corporation, a multi-jurisdictional group made up of representatives from the four First Nations and the two provincial governments.

Young grew up on the land and has lived the majority of his life in his community of Bloodvein River in Manitoba. He said it's wonderful to know that his grandfather's legacy will be kept alive.

"This is very important to me, not only for my grandfather but the grandfathers before that. It also means that we're going to be able to manage and protect our traditional areas, not just for the First Nations, but for the whole world."

William Young, co-chair of the Pimachiowin Aki Corporation, grew up on the land and has remained there for the majority of his life in his community of Bloodvein River. (Submitted by Pimachiowin Aki Corporation )

Canada currently has eight cultural and 10 natural UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Pimachiowin Aki would be the country's first mixed site, acknowledged for both its cultural and natural significance.

'Culturally vibrant'

The four Anishinaabe First Nations — Bloodvein River, Little Grand Rapids, Pauingassi and Poplar River — in partnership with the Ontario and Manitoba provincial governments, have been working for 16 years to get the area designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is their third nomination before the UNESCO committee.

"We believe that what we have is very beautiful and it's still very culturally vibrant," said Sophia Rabliauskas, a Pimachiowin Aki spokesperson from Poplar River First Nation.

"The beautiful part about this whole area is how the people still use the land and water like they did thousands of years ago. We are willing to share it with the rest of the world."

Being designated as a World Heritage Site means that the area has been acknowledged by UNESCO as having significant cultural and natural value to the world, deserving conservation.

"This is pristine land, and to know that that land will be maintained in perpetuity the way it always has been is an incredible initiative," said Manitoba's minister of sustainable development, Rochelle Squires.

"It's a great day for Manitoba to know that this land is going to be protected for centuries to come."

The Manitoba government spent more than $15 million over the past 13 years to support the bid.

Key programming that will be implemented with the designation includes safeguarding cultural heritage, conserving and understanding ecosystems and species, supporting sustainable economic and community-based initiatives and developing an educational curriculum that is relevant to the communities, incorporating traditional teachings and land-based practices for local schools.</s>An expanse of boreal shield straddling the Ontario-Manitoba border will be Canada's first mixed cultural and natural World Heritage Site, according to an announcement Sunday.

The decision was announced by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization's World Heritage Committee at its meeting in Manama, Bahrain.

Pimachiowin Aki is nearly 30,000 sq. km. of boreal forest that encompasses the traditional lands of four Anishinaabe First Nations as well as Atikaki and South Atikaki Provincial Parks in Manitoba, Woodland Caribou Provincial Park and the Eagle–Snowshoe Conservation Reserve in Ontario.

In Anishinaabemowin, Pimachiowin Aki translates to "the land that gives life."

"When I was growing up, my grandfather used to visit quite often and would tell me stories about how important the land was for the First Nations people within the area," said William Young, co-chair of the Pimachiowin Aki Corporation, a multi-jurisdictional group made up of representatives from the four First Nations and the two provincial governments.

Young grew up on the land and has lived the majority of his life in his community of Bloodvein River in Manitoba. He said it's wonderful to know that his grandfather's legacy will be kept alive.

"This is very important to me, not only for my grandfather but the grandfathers before that. It also means that we're going to be able to manage and protect our traditional areas, not just for the First Nations, but for the whole world."

Canada currently has eight cultural and 10 natural UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Pimachiowin Aki would be the country's first mixed site, acknowledged for both its cultural and natural significance.

The four Anishinaabe First Nations — Bloodvein River, Little Grand Rapids, Pauingassi and Poplar River — in partnership with the Ontario and Manitoba provincial governments, have been working for 16 years to get the area designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is their third nomination before the UNESCO committee.

"We believe that what we have is very beautiful and it's still very culturally vibrant," said Sophia Rabliauskas, a Pimachiowin Aki spokesperson from Poplar River First Nation.

"The beautiful part about this whole area is how the people still use the land and water like they did thousands of years ago. We are willing to share it with the rest of the world."

Being designated as a World Heritage Site means that the area has been acknowledged by UNESCO as having significant cultural and natural value to the world, deserving conservation.

Key programming that will be implemented with the designation includes safeguarding cultural heritage, conserving and understanding ecosystems and species, supporting sustainable economic and community-based initiatives and developing an educational curriculum that is relevant to the communities, incorporating traditional teachings and land-based practices for local schools.</s>MANAMA, Bahrain – A stretch of boreal forest along the Manitoba-Ontario boundary has won international recognition for its pristine environment and connection with Indigenous culture.

Pimachiowin Aki – an Ojibwa phrase that means ‘the land that gives life’ – has been deemed a world heritage site by the United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organization, or UNESCO.

The relatively untouched boreal forest is 29,000 square kilometres -more than half the size of Nova Scotia – and is home to four First Nations that continue to practise traditional land use.

There are already more than 1,000 UNESCO world heritage sites around the globe, including Dinosaur Provincial Park in Alberta and the historic district of Quebec City.

The UNESCO designation is intended to ensure areas such as Pimachiowin Aki are protected from future development and to help boost tourism.

The Manitoba government has spent more than $15 million over the last 13 years to support the UNESCO bid, while Ontario has put up about $1 million.

This was the third time UNESCO considered a bid by Pimachiowin Aki.

It deferred the initial bid in 2013 when two UNESCO advisory groups said it was unclear what made the area unique and requested more information.

A second attempt was made in 2016. The bid was deferred again, this time because one of five First Nations communities originally involved in the project – Pikangikum in northwestern Ontario -pulled out.

A consultant’s report done for the non-profit group behind the bid has raised questions about how much tourism could be drawn to the remote, fly-in region. The report, by Marr Consulting, said the area could initially attract fewer than 1,000 visitors a year.

“Expectations must be managed to recognize that tourism will not likely generate either large numbers of visitors or large revenue for communities,” the report stated.</s>OTTAWA, July 1, 2018 /CNW/ - Today, Pimachiowin Aki, a 29,040 square kilometre expanse of boreal forest spanning the ManitobaâOntario border, has been inscribed on the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage List. The Minister of Environment and Climate Change and Minister responsible for Parks Canada, Catherine McKenna, took the opportunity to celebrate this treasured place as the nineteenth member of Canada's family of World Heritage sites, and to congratulate those involved in its nomination.

This significant achievement follows years of dedication by the Pimachiowin Aki Corporation, led by four Anishinaabe First Nations - Bloodvein River, Little Grand Rapids, Pauingassi and Poplar River - and the Manitoba and Ontario governments, with guidance and advice from Parks Canada.

Pimachiowin Aki, which is Anishinaabemowin (Ojibwe) for "the land that gives life", is Canada's first mixed World Heritage property. Blending both natural and cultural heritage values, this large intact boreal forest ecosystem under Indigenous stewardship, is an exceptional example of the indivisibility of the natural environment and the cultural identity and traditions of Indigenous peoples.

World Heritage sites represent some of humanity's most outstanding achievements and nature's most inspiring creations. They are considered to have Outstanding Universal Value, and are protected for the benefit of all humanity. The decision to inscribe Pimachiowin Aki on the prestigious World Heritage List was made by the World Heritage Committee during its annual meeting in Bahrain.

The announcement comes three days after a meeting of federal, provincial and territorial ministers, alongside Indigenous organizations, that advanced cooperation on shared priorities to protect nature and biodiversity across Canada.

The timing of this inscription is fitting as Canadians celebrate Canada Day. The Government of Canada invites visitors to experience and learn more about Canada's natural and cultural heritage, including the country's nineteen UNESCO World Heritage sites.

"I am delighted to welcome Pimachiowin Aki into Canada's family of UNESCO World Heritage sites. These national treasures represent the very best that Canada has to offer, including the history, cultures, and contributions of Indigenous peoples. As Canada's first mixed World Heritage site, Pimachiowin Aki reflects our outstanding natural and cultural heritage, and the integral role of Indigenous peoples in caring for our natural spaces. On this Canada Day, I am very proud to be able to showcase Pimachiowin Aki to the world. Congratulations to all those who have worked for the inscription of Pimachiowin Aki.

The Honourable Catherine McKenna

Minister of Environment and Climate Change and Minister responsible for Parks Canada
• Pimachiowin Aki comprises the traditional lands of four Anishinaabe communities â , Bloodvein River, and Little Grand Rapids First Nations â as well as adjacent protected areas, including Atikaki and South Atikaki Provincial Parks in , and Woodland Caribou Provincial Park and Eagle-Snowshoe Conservation Reserve in .
• The site's massive 29,040 square kilometre tract of boreal forest east of Lake Winnipeg, straddling the - border, is nearly the size of Vancouver Island.
• World Heritage sites are exceptional places around the world that are considered to have Outstanding Universal Value. As such, they are part of the common heritage of humankind. There are over 1,000 sites on the World Heritage List worldwide.
• Parks is the lead agency for the implementation of the World Heritage Convention in due to its longstanding experience and depth of expertise in the conservation of both natural and cultural places. Twelve of nineteen World Heritage sites are areas managed in part or in whole by Parks Canada.

Known as Pimachiowin Aki ("the Land that Gives Life"), this internationally recognized network of protected areas is situated in the North American Boreal Shield and spans an area of 29,040 km2. For millennia, the Anishinaabeg (Ojibwe), Indigenous people of this region, have lived intimately with this place in the boreal forest. The site comprises the traditional lands of four Anishinaabe communities â Poplar River, Bloodvein River, Pauingassi, and Little Grand Rapids First Nations â as well as adjacent protected areas, including Atikaki and South Atikaki Provincial Parks in Manitoba, and Woodland Caribou Provincial Park and Eagle-Snowshoe Conservation Reserve in Ontario.

Pimachiowin Aki is a living cultural landscape that reflects the beliefs, values, and practices that guide Anishinaabe interactions with the land. Cultural attributes dispersed across the landscape include habitation, harvesting, and processing sites, traplines, travel routes, named places, ceremonial sites, and sacred places, such as pictographs. Numerous archeological sites throughout the area demonstrate the long occupation by Indigenous peoples. Anishinaabe customary governance and oral traditions ensure continuity across generations and reflect an intimate relationship between culture and nature that has preserved the boreal forest of Pimachiowin Aki.

Pimachiowin Aki is located in what once was the centre of glacial Lake Agassiz. The features left behind by this lake and the impact of these features on ecosystems are evident today in the vast area of healthy boreal forest, wetlands, exposed bedrock, myriad lakes, and long free-flowing rivers that characterize Pimachiowin Aki. The site contains a diversity of terrestrial and freshwater aquatic ecosystems and fully supports wildfire, nutrient flow, species movements, and predator-prey relationships, which are essential ecological processes in the boreal forest. Four large unimpeded rivers flowing through the area contribute to its aquatic diversity. One of these rivers, the Bloodvein, is a designated Canadian Heritage River. Pimachiowin Aki supports a high proportion of the North American boreal shield species, including characteristic and iconic species, as well as species of conservation concern, such as woodland caribou, wolverine, lake sturgeon, leopard frog, and Canada warbler.

The World Heritage Convention is an international treaty that was adopted by the General Conference of UNESCO in 1972. Currently, 193 countries (known as "State Parties") have ratified it, including Canada which did so in 1976. The Convention is a vital tool in safeguarding the world's heritage - having sites inscribed on theÂ World Heritage List often serves as a catalyst to raising awareness for heritage preservation. It is rooted in the recognition that some heritage places have such exceptional qualities they can be considered to be of Outstanding Universal Value (often referred to as OUV) and are the shared responsibility of the international community as a whole. The Convention therefore seeks to identify, protect, conserve, present, and transmit to future generations, cultural and natural heritage that are deemed to be of Outstanding Universal Value, for the benefit of all humanity.</s>A large swath of boreal forest spanning the Manitoba- Ontario border has been recognized by United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization [UNESCO] as a World Heritage Site.

‘Pimachiowin Aki’ covers 29,040 square kilometers. The area is a rich cultural landscape; home to Bloodvein River, Little Grand Rapids, Pauingassi, Poplar River First Nations, Atikaki Provincial Park as well as Woodland Caribou Provincial Park and Eagle-Snowshoe Conservation Reserve.

The designation recognizes the outstanding universal value of both the forest’s cultural and natural features, said a press release issued Sunday.

Organizers behind the bid to have the site recognized said UNESCO declared Pimachiowin Aki as Canada’s first “mixed” cultural and natural World Heritage Site.

A partnership of four Anishinaabe First Nations - Bloodvein River, Little Grand Rapids, Pauingassi and Poplar River – and the Manitoba and Ontario governments worked with the government of Canada for more than a decade to achieve World Heritage Site Status.

“The decision ends one journey for the four Anishinaabe First Nations who have worked through two previous nominations to achieve success, and the beginning of a new one for the Pimachiowin cultural landscape, home to Indigenous peoples for more than 7,000 years,” said the release.

“We always knew that Pimachiowin Aki was special and would become a World Heritage Site, and that the challenges that delayed our previous nominations would be overcome,” said Sophia Rabliauskas, Pimachiowin Aki spokesperson, who was at the UNESCO meeting to hear the decision announced.

“We can now devote all our efforts to preserving Pimachiowin Aki as a treasure for our peoples and the world, and I thank the governments and all the others who have supported us though every step,” she added.

William Young of Bloodvein First Nation, co-chair of the Pimachiowin Aki Corporation said: “The decision today allows us to move ahead with our vision for Pimachiowin Aki as a place celebrated for its cultural and natural values, to sustain and support our heritage, and create benefits within and beyond our communities. We sincerely thank everyone who has supported this initiative.

“We will now work to ensure Pimachiowin Aki’s long term financial sustainability by growing The Winnipeg Foundation’s existing Pimachiowin Aki endowment fund, with the support of our current and future partners.”

Key programmes are planned to: safeguard cultural heritage; conserve and understand ecosystems and species; support sustainable economies and community-based initiatives; and, provide for monitoring and public education, the release said.

An early priority is the establishment of an Indigenous Lands Guardian program for Pimachiowin Aki.</s>OTTAWA, Ontario (AP) — The U.N.'s cultural agency is giving international recognition to a remote stretch of boreal forest in eastern Canada, praising its pristine environment and connection with Indigenous culture.

UNESCO's new World Heritage site is known as Pimachiowin Aki — an Ojibwa phrase that means "the land that gives life."

The relatively untouched forest is home to four First Nations that continue to practice traditional land uses and covers 29,000 square kilometers (11,200 square miles) — nearly three and a half times the size of Yellowstone National Park.

Canada has 19 UNESCO World Heritage sites, but Pimachiowin Aki is the first to be chosen for both cultural and natural reasons.

The UNESCO designation is intended to ensure areas are protected from future development and to help boost tourism.</s>A stretch of boreal forest along the Manitoba-Ontario boundary has won international recognition for its pristine environment and connection with Indigenous culture.</s>BUILDINGS of Victorian and Art Deco architectural styles, stretching from Marine Drive to Fort in south Mumbai, on Saturday jointly made it to the UNESCO World Heritage Site list. This is the first world heritage site that flaunts a combination of 19th century Victorian structures and 20th century Art Deco buildings. The site is home to buildings such as the Bombay High Court, Mumbai University, Old Secretariat, Elphinstone College, David Sassoon Library, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya, Western Railways headquarters, Maharashtra Police headquarters, Oval Maidan, Art Deco buildings of Backbay Reclamation scheme, Cricket Club of India, Ram Mahal along Dinshaw Wacha Road, Eros and Regal cinemas and the first row of buildings along Marine Drive.

This is the third such honour for Mumbai after the Elephanta Caves and Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus railway station found place in the world heritage site list in 1987 and 2004, respectively.

At Manama in Bahrain, where the 42nd UNESCO World Heritage Committee meeting was held on Saturday, France termed the Mumbai dossier as “magnificent” while Azerbaijan described it as “perfect”, noticing that despite two decades or urban development, the city has been able to preserve the heritage site.

While the first tentative nomination for the world heritage site was submitted to the Union Ministry of Culture in 2014, it was in 2017 that the ministry decided to nominate Mumbai.

Across India, there are now 37 world heritage sites, making it the seventh ranked country in the list of world heritage properties. With five sites, Maharashtra has the maximum number of sites in India and Mumbai accounts for three of them.

Conservation architect Abha Narain Lambah, who prepared the nomination dossier, had first presented this idea at a UNESCO Conference on Modern Architecture in Chandigarh in 2014. “What favoured our dossier was that despite urban development for the last 20 years, Mumbai has managed to preserve this site. The very fact that Mumbai became first city in India in 1995 to regulate heritage regulations has been appreciated by UNESCO,” said Lambha.

She said Miami and Jerusalem are known for beautiful art deco buildings, and Canada and London for their Victorian buildings. “Mumbai alone has a combination of both. In this heritage site, they are facing each other in a dialogue.”

The 1,500-page dossier contained historical narrative and drawings of all the 94 buildings located at the site. Eric Falt, UNESCO Director and representative in India, said: “This is an excellent nomination dossier that highlights outstanding universal value of these groups of buildings, which are now officially on world heritage site list”.

While submitting the nomination to the ministry in 2015, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had observed that getting such a tag will bring Mumbai on the international tourist map and help attract investment on the lines of London and European. “This nomination acknowledges the wealth of India’s 19th and 20th century architecture in historic city centres such as Mumbai, Kolkata and Delhi,” said Raghvendra Singh, Secretary, Ministry of Culture.

For all the latest Mumbai News, download Indian Express App</s>Mumbai : Mumbai’s iconic Victorian and Art Deco Ensembles has been described as a United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) World Heritage Site. This was announced at the Unesco world heritage committee meeting in Bahrain on Saturday. The Heritage enclave is situated in South Mumbai’s historic core of the Fort Precinct and Marine Drive Precinct.

With this, Mumbai gets its third such site — Elephanta Caves and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus are also on the Unesco list. The feat also means that Maharashtra now has more than any other state in the country, with a total of five sites, including Ajanta and Ellora caves in Aurangabad.

The ensembles include structures that line the city’s Oval Maidan — a row of 19th-century Victorian buildings characterised by Gothic spires and gargoyles on one side and the 20th-Century Art Deco structures on the other.

The first lot includes historic landmarks like Bombay High Court, University of Mumbai, David Sassoon Library and Maharashtra Police Headquarters buildings. The Art Deco ones are mainly residential, but the ensembles also include buildings along Marine Drive and Eros and Regal cinema halls.

Together, the collection embodies the 200 years that transformed a small coastal fortification into a pre-eminent colonial city of the British Empire.

The Victorian Gothic and Art Deco Ensembles of Mumbai met two cultural criteria — they were found

to exhibit an important interchange of human values in architecture and town planning, and to be an outstanding example of a landscape illustrating significant stages in human history.

Abha Narain Lambah, the conservation architect who also put together the three-volume nomination dossier and management plan, with over 1,500 pages of historical narrative, maps, drawings and notes on each of the 94 buildings, said, “These historic buildings are unique because they’re not dead monuments but active public buildings in use as courts, libraries and cinema halls,” she said.

The Nomination Dossier prepared by Lambah has been a culmination of 14 years of work since she presented this idea at a Unesco Conference on Modern Architecture held in Chandigarh in 2014 where concerns on the lack of representation of 19th and 20th century heritage on the Unesco list were discussed.

A Unesco World Heritage Site tag propels a precinct to global fame, attracting more tourists. It ensures additional funding from international agencies and grants for upkeep of the structures. It also ensures strict control over external changes to all structures on the site.Vikas Dilawari, another conservation architect responsible for many refurbishing of scores of iconic heritage structures, said it is an example set by a city on the conservation front.

“The recognition is also a reminder for the city to recognise the values and importance of conservation. Mindless development in the name of progress is an impediment to conservation,” he said.

CM Devendra Fadnavis also tweeted on the feat. “Great news! Great day for Mumbai and Maharashtra! Mumbai has always been a world city and now structures and monuments are being listed in the @UNESCO #WorldHeritage site! Sincere thanks to all who have worked hard for this achievement!” he tweeted.</s>OTTAWA, June 28, 2018 /CNW/ -Â The Government of Canada recognizes the Outstanding Universal Value of Canada's 18 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including Wood Buffalo National Park, and is committed to their ongoing protection.

Today, the Minister of Environment and Climate Change and Minister responsible for Parks Canada, Catherine McKenna, announced $27.5 million in funding over five years to support the development of an action plan to secure the future of Wood Buffalo National Park World Heritage Site.

The investment comes after recommendations in 2017 from the World Heritage Committee, which oversees UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and takes concrete steps to address the recommendations of a recent reactive monitoring mission to Wood Buffalo National Park.

This funding will further support Canada's response to the World Heritage Committee in the requested timelines as part of the Government's ongoing commitment to protecting Canada's heritage places now, and for future generations. Work is already well underway.

Recently, the Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) for Wood Buffalo National Park World Heritage Site was completed in fulfillment of the World Heritage Committee request to undertake such an assessment. The SEA identifies potential cumulative impacts to the Outstanding Universal Value of Wood Buffalo National Park World Heritage Site and is a key component that will inform the action plan.Â

The Government of Canada is leading a collaborative effort with the Governments of Alberta, British Columbia, and the Northwest Territories, in partnership with Indigenous organizations, which all have areas of responsibility in the development of the action plan, and with other stakeholders. Development of the action plan will build on existing efforts by the various partners, and will also address other important issues such as enhanced focus on community-based monitoring.Â Through this collaboration, all partners will continue to work to preserve the Outstanding Universal Value of Wood Buffalo National Park âand address the important issues identified by the World Heritage Committee.

The new funding will be allocated from Budget 2018, which made a historic $1.3 billion investment in Canada's nature, parks, and wild spaces.

"As I have said many times before, the findings and recommendations of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee represent an important call to action. Today, our Government continues to take action with this new, substantial, and long term investment. Our commitment is real and we will continue to work with all of our provincial, territorial, and Indigenous partners to secure the future of the Wood Buffalo National Park World Heritage Site for generations to come."

The Honourable Catherine McKenna,

Minister of Environment and Climate Change and Minister responsible for Parks Canada
• Following a petition submitted to the World Heritage Committee by the Mikisew Cree First Nation in 2014 requesting that Wood Buffalo National Park World Heritage Site be added to the List of World Heritage Sites in Danger, the Committee issued a decision requesting that host a Reactive Monitoring Mission and undertake a Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) to assess the potential cumulative impacts of all developments on the site's world heritage values.
• Parks hosted a joint Reactive Monitoring Mission of the World Heritage Centre and the International Union for Conservation of Nature, and as a result of the mission and subsequent report, the World Heritage Committee formally requested through its decision that develop an action plan for Wood Buffalo National Park World Heritage Site.
• As one of the most significant investments in nature conservation in Canadian history, Budget 2018 will increase federal capacity to protect species at risk and put in place new recovery initiatives for priority species, areas, and threats to our environment.
• Through Budget 2018, over will be invested over five years in the development of, and early implementation of, the action plan for Wood Buffalo National Park World Heritage Site.
• Wood Buffalo National Park is located in the traditional territory of Indigenous peoples. Parks is working with the 11 Indigenous communities associated with Wood Buffalo National Park through a co-operative management committee that strives to respect both the mandate of Parks Canada and the cultures and traditions of Indigenous peoples. The development of the action plan will be informed by and will reflect Indigenous perspectives, values, and knowledge.

Actions to Ensure the Protection of 

Wood Buffalo National Park World Heritage Site

In July 2015,Â the World Heritage Committee issued a decision requesting that Canada invite a World Heritage Centre (WHC)/International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Reactive Monitoring Mission to Wood Buffalo National Park World Heritage Site to evaluate its state of conservation. Â The Committee also requested that Canada undertake a Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) to assess the potential cumulative impacts of all developments on the Outstanding Universal Value of the property, including hydroelectric dams, oil sands development, and mining.

Canada welcomed the Reactive Monitoring Mission and worked closely with the WHC, the IUCN, and Indigenous partners to plan the visit. The mission occurred between September 26 and October 4, 2016 in which representatives of the WHC and the IUCN met with federal, provincial and territorial governments; Indigenous communities; industry; and environmental non-government organizations.

The World Heritage Committee adopted a decision at the July 2017 Committee meeting requesting that Canada submit to the World Heritage Centre, by February 1, 2018, a report on the progress achieved with its implementation of the 2016 Reactive Monitoring Mission recommendations, and to submit by December 1, 2018, an updated report on the state of conservation of the property and an action plan to address the challenges to Wood Buffalo National Park. The material will be considered by the Committee at its 43rd session in 2019.

Working with partners and stakeholders, including Indigenous peoples, the Government of Canada is taking action to respond to the World Heritage Committee's recommendations. We are confident that through this collaboration we can create a path forward and secure the future of Wood Buffalo National Park, so that it remains a treasured place with Outstanding Universal Value for generations to come.

Actions taken to date and currently underway include the following:
• In , Parks Canada contracted Independent Environmental Consultants (IEC) to undertake the Strategic Environmental Assessment requested by the World Heritage Committee.
• In , the Strategic Environmental Assessment Draft Scoping Report was shared with other federal departments, provincial and territorial governments, Indigenous partners, industry groups, and conservation organizations. It was also made available for public comment.
• In , The Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) for Wood Buffalo National Park World Heritage Site was completed in fulfilment of the World Heritage Committee request to undertake such an assessment. The SEA identifies potential cumulative impacts to the Outstanding Universal Value of Wood Buffalo National Park World Heritage Site.
• In late 2017, a Federal-ProvincialâTerritorial Coordinating Committee was established to coordinate jurisdictional collaboration in the development of the action plan for Wood Buffalo National Park World Heritage Site.
• Indigenous communities which partner regularly with Wood Buffalo National Park are engaged in the development of the action plan, and also in related processes led by the provinces. The action plan is being developed through a range of processes on specific thematic areas led by relevant jurisdictional authorities.
• The Government of Budget 2018 proposes historic investments to protect nature, parks, and wild spaces. Included in these investments in Natural Legacy is a commitment to invest in the action plan that is being developed for Wood Buffalo National Park World Heritage Site.
• Work on the action plan is well underway and the draft is anticipated to be completed by fall 2018 with the ongoing collaboration and input from partners and stakeholders.
• Formal consultation on the Action plan will occur in late fall 2018, including through a public comment period with a final draft plan completed for approval in late fall 2018. The final action plan is scheduled to be submitted to the World Heritage Centre by .
• In , together with the Alberta Energy Regulator, announced an amendment to the Joint Review Panel Agreement for the proposed Frontier Oil Sands Mine Project. The amendment mandates the independent Joint Review Panel to specifically consider and report on the potential environmental and cumulative effects of the project on the Outstanding Universal Value of the Wood Buffalo National Park World Heritage Site, including the Peace Athabasca Delta (PAD). The amendment was developed in consultation with Indigenous communities.
• The Joint Review Panel established to review the proposed Frontier Oil Sands Mine Project and conduct the assessment of the potential environmental effects of the project has determined that the proponent, Teck Resources Limited, has provided sufficient information for the Panel to hold a public hearing for the project in . Hearing dates and locations have not been determined.
• In December of 2017, the Ministers of Alberta Environment and Parks and Environment and Climate Change Canada, signed a Memorandum of Understanding that renews each Government's commitment to monitoring of oil sands development, including environmental monitoring within the Peace-Athabasca Delta region of WBNP. The agreement also recognized and affirmed treaty and Aboriginal rights of Indigenous people as per Section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982.
• Under this agreement, Environment and Climate Change Canada will invest up to annually to assist local Indigenous communities â including some of those whose traditional territory includes Wood Buffalo National Park â to develop and implement community-based environmental monitoring projects.
• Parks , Environment and Climate Change Canada, and Indigenous communities, among others, all conduct on-going science and monitoring work in the Peace-Athabasca Delta.
• In , the Government of proposed changes to environmental and regulatory processes, including project proposals that may have an impact on national parks. The changes will ensure decisions are informed by consultation with, and input from, Indigenous peoples and the public.
• Currently, Environment and Climate Change Canada is convening a new multi-jurisdictional process to address the recommendations related to environmental flows and hydrology. Environment and Climate Change Canada and Parks Canada are working with technical advisors from government and Indigenous partners to develop the action plan content for this theme.
Pimachiowin Aki, a large area of Boreal Forest that spans parts of the Canadian provinces of Manitoba and Ontario, and includes the lands of four First Nations, is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.