A vast stretch of boreal forest along the Manitoba-Ontario boundary moved one step closer to international recognition Friday, as two UNESCO advisory bodies recommended Pimachiowin Aki be deemed a world heritage site. A map of the proposed world heritage site, Pimachiowin Aki. Gord Jones, the Pimachiowin Aki project manager, said Friday a UNESCO designation would raise awareness about the importance of the boreal forest and the relationship between indigenous communities and the land. Former Manitoba premier Greg Selinger has said getting the designation for Pimachiowin Aki will boost tourism and make it easier to protect the boreal forest from over-development. UNESCO recognizes more than 900 places around the world as world heritage sites — everything from the Great Barrier Reef in Australia to Red Bay, a small former whaling community in Labrador.

Source: CBC News May 27, 2016 14:14 UTC