This is a list of protected areas of Ontario that are administered by

Government of Ontario The government of Ontario (french: Gouvernement de l'Ontario) is the body responsible for the administration of the Canadian province of Ontario. A constitutional monarchy, the Crown—represented in the province by the lieutenant governor� ...

Ontario Parks Ontario Parks is a branch of the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks in Ontario, Canada, that protects significant natural and cultural resources in a system of parks and protected areas that is sustainable and provides opportuniti ...

and the

Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks The Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks is an Ontario government ministry responsible for protecting and improving the quality of the environment in the Canadian province of Ontario, as well as coordinating Ontario's actions on c ...

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 First Nations or first peoples may refer to: * Indigenous peoples, for ethnic groups who are the earliest known inhabitants of an area. Indigenous groups *First Nations is commonly used to describe some Indigenous groups including: **First Natio ...

and the

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.

Lists of parks and protected areas

Provincial parks

Conservation reserves

Dedicated protected areas

Wilderness areas

References

;General: * * * * ;Specific:

External links

Ontario Parks official siteParks Canada official site
{{Canada topic, List of protected areas of, Protected areas of Canada *

Ontario Ontario ( ; ) is one of the thirteen provinces and territories of Canada.Ontario is located in the geographic eastern half of Canada, but it has historically and politically been considered to be part of Central Canada. Located in Central Ca ...

Protected areas Protected areas or conservation areas are locations which receive protection because of their recognized natural, ecological or cultural values. There are several kinds of protected areas, which vary by level of protection depending on the ena ...