Conserving and Protecting Our Forests

Ontario is a world leader in sustainable forestry and is committed to balancing environmental protection with sustainable forest management. This is in keeping with the province’s pledge to protect Ontario's rich natural heritage of plants, animals, and ecosystems under the Ontario Biodiversity Strategy.

Over the past two decades, there has been great change in the management of natural resources in Ontario and around the world. As has occurred in many locations, Ontario's forest policy has shifted to a more balanced ecological approach. This means the forest is viewed as part of a larger ecosystem which is managed to protect and conserve a whole range of values and uses.

Through legislation, protection is provided for provincial parks, conservation reserves and national parks. Protected areas are one component of Ontario’s commitment to managing natural resources sustainably. These are supplemented by provincial programs such as the protection of significant wetlands, woodlands, ravines, shorelines, species at risk, and wildlife habitat on both private and public lands. Parks and protected areas account for 12 per cent of Ontario’s managed forests.

In addition to being based on the principle of sustainability, Ontario’s forest management system is consistent with Canada’s national forestry strategy and commitments made in international forums.

The ‘Room to Grow’ framework sets out ways that increased wood supply for the forest industry to support jobs and growth, also allows for an increase in new parks and protected areas.

The Ministry of Natural Resources, Ministry of Tourism, forest industry and resource-based tourism operators have established a process to negotiate Resource Stewardship Agreements (RSAs). Through the RSA process, the forest industry and tourism industry work together to develop proposals that can be considered in forest management plans. These proposals reflect the need of both industries for long-term viability.

Land securement is the protection of key natural spaces through the purchase or donation of land or holding conservation easements or agreements. The province’s land securement program provides a strategic and coordinated approach to conserving biodiversity and Ontario’s natural heritage.

Ontario's Provincial Parks System

The goal of Ontario’s provincial parks system is to ensure the protection of significant natural, cultural, and recreational environments, while providing ample opportunities for visitors to participate in recreational activities. Specific objectives support protection, recreation, heritage appreciation and tourism.

There are more than 329 regulated provincial parks covering a total area of 7.9 million hectares, plus 292 regulated conservation reserves covering almost 1.5 million hectares. These regulated protected areas cover approximately 9 per cent of the province.

Ontario’s first provincial park – Algonquin – was established as a forest reserve in 1893. Today provincial parks, along with conservation reserves regulated under the Public Lands Act, are the cornerstone of Ontario’s protected areas network.