Ontario Natural Resources Minister David Ramsay today announced protection for 500,000 acres of natural areas, many of them in Northern Ontario, as provincial parks and conservation areas.
To see the complete list of areas slated for protection, please click here.
Here's the official announcement:
********************** Province protects Ontario's natural heritage
Finalizes protection of 45 provincial parks and conservation areas
TORONTO — The Ontario government is supporting a stronger, healthier natural environment, by adding 500,000 hectares to the parks and protected areas system, Natural Resources Minister David Ramsay announced today.
"Our parks provide the people of Ontario with enormous benefits, including cleaner air and water, habitat for endangered species, and places to go for hiking, canoeing, camping and other outdoor activities," said Ramsay.
"By adding these 45 parks and conservation reserves to the system, we are ensuring that important natural and cultural features are permanently protected for future generations."
Some of the newly regulated parks and conservation reserves feature osprey and eagle nesting sites, provincially significant landforms, wetlands, moose habitat and fish sanctuaries.
The regulation of the 14 parks under the Provincial Parks Act, and 31 conservation reserves under the Public Lands Act, formally excludes them from activities such as forestry, mineral exploration and mining, and hydropower development.
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