State of Ontario's Protected Areas Report

Ontario's system of protected areas includes over 630 provincial parks and conservation reserves covering an area of 9.5 million hectares, or about nine per cent of Ontario. The Provincial Parks and Conservation Reserves Act, 2006 requires that the Minister of Natural Resources report publicly on the state of the protected area system at least once every ten years. To meet this commitment the Ministry of Natural Resources developed a comprehensive framework to monitor ecological, social and economic aspects to support sustainable planning and management of provincial parks and conservation reserves. This information, covering the period 2001-09, forms the basis for this State of Ontario's Protected Areas Report. The report consists of four chapters that collectively describe the state of Ontario's diverse protected areas.

• Executive Summary and Table of Contents (PDF, 1.0 MB)
   
• Chapter 1 - Background Information (PDF, 2.2 MB)

   

  The first chapter, Background Information, provides context regarding the planning and management of Ontario's protected areas. Included are a description of the legislative and strategic direction for the protected area system, a brief history of the development of the system and an overview of the planning process for protected areas. Together, these aspects demonstrate an ongoing and evolving commitment to the integrity of the areas that are protected.

   

• Chapter 2 - Protecting Ontario's Natural Diversity (PDF, 6.3 MB)

   

  In chapter two, Protecting Ontario's Natural Diversity, information is provided on the representation of ecological, geological and cultural heritage features within Ontario's provincial parks and conservation reserves. Ontario has adopted an Ecological Land Classification system as a framework for terrestrial ecosystem representation within the protected areas system. Geological representation is based on environmental themes organized by time, landform evolution and geologic process. Cultural heritage representation is based on a framework that organizes history in relation to aspects of the landscape and physical environment that are basic to human development, including Aboriginal and European settlement.

   

• Chapter 3 - Ecological Integrity (PDF, 2.7 MB)

   

  Chapter three, Ecological Integrity, defines and interprets the term ecological integrity. Factors that contribute to the integrity of protected areas and to the maintenance of ecological integrity over time are discussed. The discussion addresses known pressures, responses to those pressures and the benefits of the protected area system, including the conservation of biodiversity.

   

• Chapter 4 - Opportunities and Benefits (PDF, 3.6 MB)

   

  The fourth chapter, Opportunities and Benefits, provides information on the diverse social and economic benefits associated with Ontario's protected area system. These benefits include opportunities for recreation, traditional uses, research and education, as well as broader ecological and societal benefits. There are about 10 million visits to provincial parks each year, with the majority being day users.

   

• Full Report (PDF, 14.4 MB)

ISBN 978-1-4435-6324-6 (PDF)