Together with the people of Ontario, the Fish and Wildlife Program of the Ministry of Natural Resources cares for the fish and wildlife resources of Ontario.
The province is huge, and our responsibility is enormous:
- The fish and wildlife resources on nearly a million square kilometers and the associated benefits and ecological diversity
- 250,000 lakes, tens of thousands of kilometers of streams, the Great Lakes and other large water bodies 160 fish species, 400 species of birds, 85 mammals, 80 amphibians and reptiles, 2,900 species of vascular plants
- Over $5.5 billion in direct and indirect benefits and 120,000 person years of employment
- Over half a billion days of recreational activity involving more than 7 million residents of the province and more than half a million visitors to the province.
Key considerations guiding our work include:
- The need to ensure resource sustainability
- The need to sustain the immense benefits Ontario receives from its resource base
- The individuals and groups who use and value fish and wildlife resources are many and varied
- The abundance of knowledge and interest among resource users in fish and wildlife, and the importance of involving resource users in decision-making at both the provincial and local levels
- The tremendous success of programs such as the Community Fisheries and Wildlife Involvement Program, and the need to make the most of the partnership approach to resource management.
Other key considerations include:
- The need for a staff of highly capable and effective front-line professionals in resource management, working with partners and clients
- The important role of a well-focused, well-managed enforcement program in ensuring resource sustainability
The importance of ensuring that the regional point of view on economic, social and resource issues is a fundamental part of new policy and program development
- The need for strong linkages with partners at local and provincial levels.
For local information on the work of the Fish and Wildlife Program of the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, visit or call the Ministry of Natural Resources office that serves your area.
