Ontario’s protected area system is comprised of more than 620 provincial parks and conservation reserves. Protected areas contribute to the Ontario economy and the protection of Ontario’s biodiversity. They range in size, characteristics, diversity and accessibility, and together they help to provide sustainable outdoor recreation and natural heritage appreciation opportunities. Protected areas are of environmental, economic and social importance.
Provincial parks and conservation reserves both contribute differently to the protected areas system, and to the maintenance of ecological integrity. Under the Provincial Parks and Conservation Reserves Act,2006 provincial parks and conservation reserves were identified as having the following objectives:
Provincial parks:
- To permanently protect representative ecosystems, biodiversity and provincially significant elements of Ontario’s natural and cultural heritage and to manage these areas to ensure that ecological integrity is maintained.
- To provide opportunities for ecologically sustainable outdoor recreation opportunities and encourage associated economic benefits.
- To provide opportunities for residents of Ontario and visitors to increase their knowledge and appreciation of Ontario’s natural and cultural heritage.
- To facilitate scientific research and to provide points of reference to support monitoring of ecological change on the broader landscape.
Conservation reserves:
- To permanently protect representative ecosystems, biodiversity and provincially significant elements of Ontario’s natural and cultural heritage and to manage these areas to ensure that ecological integrity is maintained.
- To provide opportunities for ecologically sustainable land uses, including traditional outdoor heritage activities and associated economic benefits.
- To facilitate scientific research and to provide points of reference to support monitoring of ecological change on the broader landscape.
Provincial parks have been classed to fulfill the above objectives in different ways.
Ontario's Provincial Park Planning and Management Policies (1.4mb PDF) establish both size and distribution criteria for wilderness, natural environment and waterway class parks. The number and distribution of these park classes is determined by the number and distribution of the province's ecoregions and ecodistricts. The policies also establish specific targets for representing the earth science, life science, cultural and recreational features of the province.
Collectively, protected areas are established to protect a representative system of Ontario's diverse natural, cultural and recreational landscapes.
Wilderness Class Parks
The objective of wilderness class parks is to protect large areas where the forces of nature can exist freely and visitors travel by non-mechanized means, except as may be permitted by regulation, while engaging in low-impact recreation to experience solitude, challenge and integration with nature.
The target for wilderness class parks is to establish one wilderness park, or equivalent sized national park, and one complementary wilderness zone in each of Ontario's 13 ecoregions. Wilderness parks should exceed 100,000 hectares, while zones should be greater than 2000 hectares in size. Due to extensive incompatible use, true wilderness can no longer be found in the province's two southernmost site regions.
Natural Environment Class Parks
The objectives of natural environment class parks are to protect outstanding recreational landscapes, representative ecosystems and provincially significant elements of Ontario’s natural and cultural heritage and to provide high quality recreational and educational experiences.
The target for natural environment class parks is to establish one 2000 hectare park, or an equivalent size wilderness zone, in each of Ontario's 65 ecodistricts.
Waterway Class Parks
The objectives of waterway class parks are to protect recreational water routes and representative and significant terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems and associated natural and cultural features and to provide high quality recreational and educational experiences.
The target for waterway class parks is to establish one waterway park, or an equivalent waterway corridor, traversing each of Ontario's 65 ecodistricts. Waterway park target achievement is high in the north and low in the southern regions of the province.
Nature Reserve Class Parks
The objectives of nature reserve class parks are to protect representative ecosystems and provincially significant elements of Ontario’s natural heritage, including distinctive natural habitats and landforms, for their intrinsic value, to support scientific research and to maintain biodiversity.
Targets for nature reserve class parks are defined by scientific based earth science and life science classifications. Nature reserves are selected to represent natural features and ecosystems not found in the other park classes.
Cultural Heritage Class Parks
The objectives for cultural heritage class parks are to protect elements of Ontario’s distinctive cultural heritage in open space settings for their intrinsic value and to support interpretation, education and research. There are six cultural heritage class parks in Ontario.
Targets for cultural heritage class parks are defined by an archeologic- and historic-based classification. Cultural heritage parks are selected to represent cultural features and themes not found in other park classes. Research and inventory is needed to determine the future needs for this component of the provincial park system.
Recreational Class Parks
The objective of recreational class parks is to provide a wide variety of compatible outdoor recreation opportunities in attractive natural surroundings.
The target for recreational class parks is to provide residents and out of province visitors with appropriate levels of day use and facility-based camping opportunities. The selection (and operation) of recreational parks and the provision of outdoor recreation opportunities is related to regional population distribution and demands.
Aquatic Class Parks
While no aquatic class parks currently exist in Ontario, the Provincial Parks and Conservation Reserves Act, 2006 provides the future opportunity to designate a park in this class.
Upon designation, the objectives of aquatic class parks will be to protect aquatic ecosystems and associated natural and cultural features for their intrinsic value, to support scientific research and to maintain biodiversity
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