Community Profile

Pledge Summary

The Village of Dunnottar is a small lakeside community of just under 800 year-round residents located on the western shore of Lake Winnipeg. Dunnottar consists of an amalgamation of three lakeside communities: Matlock, Whytewold, and Ponemah. Dunnottar’s local economy consists mainly of a few retail shops and services, which support the seasonal cottagers and summer influx of visitors. Lake Winnipeg is known for its commercial fishery, with many residents making a living from the summer and winter harvests. Dunnottar and most of the surrounding area owes its biggest tourist attraction to Lake Winnipeg. The shoreline of most of the southern basin consists of several kilometres of white sandy beaches – among the finest in the province. There has been a decline in the amount of wildlife habitat within the Village of Dunnottar boundaries, such as the endangered Piping Plover, due to the developed nature of the community and the extensive use of the shoreline. Within the Village of Dunnottar there are public spaces reserves and road allowances. The Village of Dunnottar recognizes the importance of biodiversity conservation in the midst of competing land uses. The Village of Dunnottar Development Plan and Zoning By-Law outline objectives and policies that have been put into place to help ensure the future security of the Village of Dunnottar Natural Areas. While residents are currently engaged in activities and programs to protect and reclaim local natural areas, this will require constant effort to see the positive results. Intergenerational consideration must be given to land use planning and education so that spaces like wetlands, and the benefits they provide, are nurtured.