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Canada's Wild Havens

Discover the protected landscapes dedicated to preserving Canada's rich biodiversity and natural heritage.

What are NWAs? 👇 Explore the List 🗺️

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Understanding National Wildlife Areas

Conservation Designation

A National Wildlife Area (NWA) is a specific conservation designation applied to geographical regions within Canada. These areas are established to protect critical habitats and support wildlife populations. The primary objective is to conserve wildlife and its habitat, ensuring ecological integrity.

Regulated Activities

NWAs impose restrictions on most human activities to safeguard the environment. However, specific land use permits may be issued for activities deemed compatible with the conservation goals of the area. This balance allows for regulated human interaction while prioritizing ecological preservation.

Management Authority

These vital conservation areas are established and managed by the Canadian Wildlife Service, a division of Environment and Climate Change Canada. Their mandate includes the stewardship and protection of these significant natural spaces, encompassing land, water, and coastal zones extending up to 12 nautical miles offshore.

Scope of Designation

The designation covers diverse environments, including terrestrial ecosystems, freshwater bodies, and coastal marine areas. This comprehensive approach ensures that a wide range of habitats critical for various species are protected under the NWA framework.

Protections and Management

Management Plans

Each National Wildlife Area operates under a detailed management plan. These plans outline specific activities that are generally permitted within the protected boundaries and clearly define those that require special authorization or permits. This ensures a structured approach to conservation and use.

Permitted Activities

Traditional, personal, and recreational activities are often allowed, provided they align with conservation objectives. This typically includes activities such as hunting, fishing, and canoeing, which are integral to the cultural heritage and recreational use of many Canadian landscapes.

Permit-Based Activities

Activities like resource extraction or livestock grazing are generally restricted. However, they may be permitted under the strict conditions and authority of a yearly permit, ensuring that any such use is carefully managed and does not compromise the ecological integrity of the NWA.

Co-Management Agreements

In certain territories, NWAs like Polar Bear Pass operate under co-management agreements. These collaborations, often involving federal agencies and Indigenous communities (such as Inuit, per the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement), ensure that traditional knowledge and local perspectives are integrated into conservation efforts.

National Wildlife Areas Across Canada

Alberta

Discover the protected wildlife habitats within Alberta.

  • Blue Quills National Wildlife Area: 0.97 km²
  • Meanook National Wildlife Area: 2.14 km²
  • Spiers Lake National Wildlife Area: 0.65 km²
  • Suffield National Wildlife Area: 458.07 km²

British Columbia

Explore the diverse NWAs along Canada's Pacific coast.

  • Alaksen National Wildlife Area: 2.99 km²
  • Columbia National Wildlife Area: 10.01 km²
  • Qualicum National Wildlife Area: 0.82 km²
  • Scott Islands Marine National Wildlife Area: 11,570.65 km² (Largest NWA)
  • Vaseux-Bighorn National Wildlife Area: 8.12 km²
  • Widgeon Valley National Wildlife Area: 12.5 km²

Manitoba

Learn about the wildlife sanctuaries in Manitoba.

  • Pope National Wildlife Area: 0.31 km²
  • Rockwood National Wildlife Area: 0.30 km²

New Brunswick

Discover the protected areas in New Brunswick.

  • Cape Jourimain National Wildlife Area: 6.21 km²
  • Portage Island National Wildlife Area: 4.51 km²
  • Portobello Creek National Wildlife Area: 19.90 km²
  • Shepody National Wildlife Area: 9.89 km²
  • Tintamarre National Wildlife Area: 19.90 km²

Northwest Territories

Highlighting conservation efforts in the vast Northwest Territories.

  • Edéhzhíé National Wildlife Area: 14,218 km²

Nova Scotia

Explore the coastal and inland NWAs of Nova Scotia.

  • Boot Island National Wildlife Area: 1.44 km²
  • Chignecto National Wildlife Area: 4.10 km²
  • John Lusby National Wildlife Area: 10.20 km²
  • Sand Pond National Wildlife Area: 5.32 km²
  • Sea Wolf Island National Wildlife Area: 0.41 km²
  • Wallace Bay National Wildlife Area: 5.83 km²

Nunavut

Focusing on the unique Arctic ecosystems of Nunavut.

  • Akpait National Wildlife Area: 791 km²
  • Ninginganiq National Wildlife Area: 3,364 km²
  • Nirjutiqavvik National Wildlife Area: 1,650 km²
  • Polar Bear Pass National Wildlife Area: 2,624 km²
  • Qaqulluit National Wildlife Area: 398 km²

Ontario

A look at the diverse NWAs within Ontario.

  • Big Creek National Wildlife Area: 8.02 km²
  • Eleanor Island National Wildlife Area: 0.01 km²
  • Long Point National Wildlife Area: 32.50 km²
  • Mississippi Lake National Wildlife Area: 2.35 km²
  • Mohawk Island National Wildlife Area: 0.04 km²
  • Prince Edward Point National Wildlife Area: 2.46 km²
  • Scotch Bonnet Island National Wildlife Area: 0.01 km²
  • St. Clair National Wildlife Area: 2.89 km²
  • Wellers Bay National Wildlife Area: 0.40 km²
  • Wye Marsh National Wildlife Area: 0.47 km²

Quebec

Exploring the protected natural areas of Quebec.

  • Baie de l'Isle-Verte National Wildlife Area: 7.97 km²
  • Cap Tourmente National Wildlife Area: 23.99 km²
  • Îles de Contrecoeur National Wildlife Area: 3.12 km²
  • Îles de l'Estuaire National Wildlife Area: 4.09 km²
  • Îles de la Paix National Wildlife Area: 1.20 km²
  • Lac Saint-François National Wildlife Area: 14.46 km²
  • Pointe-au-Père National Wildlife Area: 0.23 km²
  • Pointe de l'Est National Wildlife Area: 9.74 km²

Saskatchewan

Highlighting Saskatchewan's commitment to wildlife conservation.

  • Bradwell National Wildlife Area: 1.23 km²
  • Last Mountain Lake National Wildlife Area: 168.98 km²
  • Prairie National Wildlife Area: 29.38 km²
  • Raven Island National Wildlife Area: 0.94 km²
  • St. Denis National Wildlife Area: 3.61 km²
  • Stalwart National Wildlife Area: 15.25 km²
  • Tway National Wildlife Area: 0.96 km²
  • Webb National Wildlife Area: 4.27 km²
  • Thickwood Hills National Wildlife Area: 2.99 km² (298.6 ha)
  • Moose Mountain Creek National Wildlife Area
  • Longspur National Wildlife Area
  • Harris Sandhills National Wildlife Area
  • Great Sandhills National Wildlife Area

Yukon

Conservation in Canada's northernmost territory.

  • Nisutlin River Delta National Wildlife Area: 54.88 km²

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References

References

  1.  Recognized as a Wetland of International Significance under the Ramsar Convention.
A full list of references for this article are available at the National Wildlife Area Wikipedia page

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Important Disclaimers

Information Accuracy and Scope

This page has been generated by an Artificial Intelligence and is intended for informational and educational purposes only. The content is derived from publicly available data, primarily Wikipedia, and may not be exhaustive, entirely accurate, or fully up-to-date. National Wildlife Areas are dynamic ecosystems, and regulations or designations can change.

This is not official government advice. The information provided does not substitute for official documentation from Environment and Climate Change Canada or the Canadian Wildlife Service. Users should consult official sources for the most current and precise information regarding specific National Wildlife Areas, their regulations, and permitted activities.

The creators of this page are not responsible for any errors or omissions, or for any actions taken based on the information presented herein. Always verify critical information with official government resources.