Protected Areas
What is a Protected Area?
In Canada, protected areas, including National and Provincial Parks, National Wildlife Areas, Migratory Bird Sanctuaries and many other government and privately owned spaces, are what people commonly think of when they imagine a conserved area. A key factor of protected areas is that they have nature conservation as their primary purpose.
Since 1885, Canada’s conservation network was built on the creation of protected areas. Protected areas are still being established today, although the processes for doing so, and the respect for Indigenous peoples and communities who have cared for these lands since time immemorial, continues to evolve and improve. Find out more about Indigenous Led Conservation.
Pan-Canadian definition of protected areas
“A clearly defined geographical space, recognised, dedicated and managed, through legal or other effective means, to achieve the long-term conservation of nature with associated ecosystem services and cultural values”.
– One with Nature
Protected Area Criteria
An area must meet all of the following criteria to be a protected area. If you would like to learn more, see the detailed guidance and tools on Evaluate a Site.
