There are 23 rare plant species growing in the RM of Stuartburn, among them, the endangered Western Prairie Fringed Orchid.

According to CAO Lucie Maynard, the Vita area is the only remaining location in the world that is home to the rare flower; a fact that has recently caused nothing but trouble for local farmers.

The Western Prairie Fringed Orchid has been a source of frustration in the Vita area (Photo credit: RM of Stuartburn).

“While we were aware of the Endangered Species Act, we weren’t aware that it affected private lands,” explains the CAO. “So a lot of the farmers just west of Vita are being restricted and are not allowed to turn their land into crops.”

Though this problem is impacting many of the farmers in the region, Maynard says it is having a disproportionate impact on the Amish.

“I know they are frustrated by this as they are just trying to provide food for their families and livestock,” she comments.

When the Amish originally purchased their property neither they nor the RM were aware that these orchids were present. Now, however, the Amish and their fellow farmers have been fined and given stop-work orders by Manitoba Conservation.

“Council doesn’t feel this is fair,” comments Maynard, “farmers should be allowed to farm their land for their livelihood.”

Maynard acknowledges that these penalties do coincide with the Endangered Species Act, but feels it is unjust to allow the presence of these flowers to freeze up pieces of farmland. In response to this, Stuartburn Council has written letters to various government departments asking them to amend the act and allow the so-called agricultural land in question to continue being used as such.

Maynard stresses that Council has nothing against the flowers themselves,  acknowledging that they could be a unique Eco-tourism opportunity in the right time and space, but she sees it bothering ratepayers and believes something must be done.

In the past, Maynard says provincial representatives did visit the municipality to discuss the matter with a handful of concerned residents. However, though they were willing to map out the flowers, Maynard says “they were adamant that we could not disturb them. They wouldn’t budge one bit.”

In addition to the letters sent off to governing bodies, Maynard indicates that she has also had letters sent to the other RM’s across Manitoba asking for their support as Vita farmers continue to deal with the repercussions of owning land dotted with orchids.