Ontario's vast system of protected areas touches every corner of the province and includes magnificent old-growth forest, wilderness lakes and rivers, wetlands and habitat for rare and endangered plants and animals.
The system is made up of different types of protected areas, which are regulated to ensure the maintenance or enhancement of ecological integrity.
Legislated by the Provincial Parks and Conservation Reserve Act, 2006, the 334 provincial parks and 295 conservation reserves, totaling almost 10 million hectares (9% of the province), protect many of the most important natural and cultural features in the province, while also supporting Ontario’s economy by boosting tourism. They are also important for scientific research, environmental monitoring and outdoor education. Most importantly, their protection ensures that future generations will enjoy and benefit from the province’s rich natural and cultural heritage.
The Wilderness Area Act, 1990, regulates the province's 11 remaining wilderness areas which are found outside of provincial parks and conservation reserves. These areas total just over 800 hectares and are meant to preserve the area in its natural state, for the protection of flora and fauna, in which research and educational activities may be carried on, for the improvement of the area, having regard to its historical, aesthetic, scientific or recreational value.
Through community based land use planning, in the Far North, First Nations and Ontario are working together to identify dedicated protected areas that will help protect the unique ecology and vast boreal environment of this region, while also ensuring that the region's resources contribute to a more prosperous, healthy and sustainable future for its communities. Under the Far North Act, 2010, these dedicated protected areas can remain unregulated designations in community based land use plans or they can be regulated under the Act. They can also be regulated under Provincial Parks and Conservation Reserves Act.
| Provincial Protected Area | Number | Hectares | % of Province |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regulated Provincial Parks | 329 | 7,894,741 | 7.3% |
| Regulated Conservation Reserves | 295 | 1,514,147 | 1.4% |
| Dedicated Protected Areas - Regulated under PPCRA | 5 | 349,481 | 0.3% |
| Dedicated Protected Areas - Non-regulated | 4 | 876,535 | 0.8% |
| Wilderness Areas | 11 | 838 | <0.1% |
| Total Provincial Protected Areas | 644 | 10,635,843 | 9.9% |
| National Parks | 5 | 208,160 | 0.2% |
| Total National and Provincial Protected Areas | 649 | 10,844,003 | 10.1% |
