List of protected areas of Ontario

Updated on Oct 11, 2024

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Type Number Area % Land Area		Number Area Provincial Parks Conservation Reserves Protected Areas Wilderness Areas Total 330 295 9 28 662
330 295 9 28 662 7,905,305 ha (19,534,430 acres) 1,514,147 ha (3,741,540 acres) 1,226,016 ha (3,029,550 acres) 2,590 ha (6,400 acres) 10,648,058 ha (26,311,920 acres) 7,905,305 ha (19,534,430 acres) 1,514,147 ha (3,741,540 acres) 1,226,016 ha (3,029,550 acres) 2,590 ha (6,400 acres) 10,648,058 ha (26,311,920 acres) 7.4% 1.4% 1.1% <0.1% 9.9%

This is a list of protected areas of Ontario that are administered by Government of Ontario. Ontario Parks and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry are the provincial bodies responsible for managing these protected areas.

Types

There are four main types of protected areas in Ontario:

Provincial parks: Areas containing significant natural and cultural features, and provide opportunities for outdoor recreation, scientific research and environmental monitoring, and education. Provincial parks are further subdivided into six classes:

Cultural Heritage Class Parks: Parks to protect cultural heritage elements that are distinct in Ontario for intrinsic value, interpretation, education and research purposes.

Natural Environment Class Parks: Parks to protect provincially significant recreational landscapes and representative ecosystems, as well as to provide recreational and educational experiences.

Nature Reserve Class Parks: Parks to protect notable and provincially significant natural habitats, landforms and ecosystems for intrinsic value, scientific research and biodiversity purposes.

Recreation Class Parks: Parks to provide a variety of outdoor recreation opportunities in natural surroundings.

Waterway Class Parks: Parks to protect recreational water routes and provincially significant terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems to provide recreational and educational experiences.

Wilderness Class Parks: Parks to protect large areas for nature, and provide low-impact recreation. Visitors must travel through these parks by foot only.

Conservation Reserves: Areas containing significant natural and cultural features, and provide opportunities compatible traditional activities such as fishing, hunting, and trapping. Scientific research and environmental monitoring also occurs.

Wilderness Areas: Areas preserved to maintain their natural state, and protect flora and fauna. Research and educational activities can occur.

Dedicated Protected Areas: Areas identified by First Nations and the Government of Ontario through community-based land use planning in the Far North area of the province. These areas protect the unique ecology and boreal environment of the region, and allow development of resources.

References

List of protected areas of Ontario Wikipedia

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