MNR's Wetland Conservation Program

Wetland Conservation staff of MNR’s Biodiversity Section coordinate field inventory and training programs. Along with other MNR staff, they also participate in wetland policy and planning initiatives, wetland data management and mapping projects, and wetlands science and research programs.

Much of the work of MNR staff is done in close cooperation with:

• other government agencies including: individual conservation authorities and municipal planning authorities, Conservation Ontario, Canadian Wildlife Service, the Ministry of Agriculture Food and Rural Affairs, the Ministry of Environment, and the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing
• non-governmental organizations including: Ducks Unlimited Canada, the Nature Conservancy of Canada, Ontario Nature and Wildlife Habitat Canada

As part of the Wetland Conservation Program, MNR staff:

• maintain and provide training in the use of the Ontario Wetland Evaluation System (OWES)
• participate in the Canada-Ontario Agreement Respecting the Great Lakes Basin Ecosystem (COA). Wetland conservation is one component of this broad, ecosystem-based program.
• participate in the implementation of the Great Lakes Wetland Conservation Action Plan (GLWCAP): Implementation of GLWCAP is one of the outcomes of COA.