|
Click
a link to discover some of Canada's best wild places:
Contacts
For more information, contact us at:
Canadian Wildlife Service – Ontario
www.on.ec.gc.ca/wildlife
Wildlife.Ontario@ec.gc.ca
Environment Canada
4905 Dufferin Street
Toronto, ON M3H 5T4
Tel: (416) 739-5830
Fax: (416) 739-5845
Long Point and Big Creek National Wildlife Areas
RR 3 Port Rowan
N0E 1M0
Tel: (519) 586-2703
Fax: (519) 586-2183
St. Clair National Wildlife Area
R.R. 1
Pain Court, ON N0P 1Z0
Tel: (519) 354-1418
For all other National Wildlife Areas:
465 Gideon Drive
P.O. Box 490 Lambeth Station
London ON N6P 1R1
Tel: (519) 472-6695
Fax: (519) 472-3062
Top
International
Designations
Important Bird Areas
www.ibacanada.com *
Canada has 597 sites recognized as Important Bird Areas, where bird
habitat has been identified for protection as part of a worldwide
network necessary for the survival of naturally occurring bird populations.
Sites are identified using a set of criteria that are consistent
world-wide.
Ramsar Convention
www.ramsar.org *
Canada has 37 sites recognized by the Ramsar Convention as wetland
habitat that is of international significance.
The Ramsar Convention (The Convention on Wetlands of International
Importance Especially as Waterfowl Habitat) identifies wetlands
of international importance to encourage conservation and wise use.
World Biosphere Reserve
www.unesco.org/mab/BRs.shtml
*
Canada has 13 sites recognized by the United Nations as part of
the World Network of Biosphere Reserves.
The sites fulfil three basic functions:
- conservation of landscape, ecosystem, species and genetic variation
- development that is socio-culturally and ecologically sustainable
- logistical support for research, monitoring, education and
information exchange at the global level.
Top
What
is Canada's Network for Nature?
With more than 12 million people living in Ontario alone, Canada’s
wildlife need a place to call their own! The Network for Nature
includes National Wildlife Areas, Marine Wildlife Areas and Migratory
Bird Sanctuaries. The network extends across Canada to protect landscapes
and seascapes in their natural state.
Canada’s government has set aside nearly 12 million hectares
of land, just for wild species and the habitat essential for their
survival. The loss of natural habitat is a major factor that contributes
to species declining and disappearing around the world. The lands
that make up Canada’s Network for Nature contain a broad range
of habitat — such as beaches, wetlands, forests and islands.
How are the lands chosen?
The federal government designates land for wildlife habitat conservation
through legislation called the Canada Wildlife Act. Properties can
be purchased by Environment Canada, or obtained through donations
and leases, land transfers, or as part of land claim settlements
reached with aboriginal peoples. Canadians can also donate land
to the Crown for wildlife habitat conservation.
National Wildlife Areas
There are 51 Canadian National Wildlife Areas, safe havens for some
of the most important and beautiful wildlife habitat on the planet.
In Ontario, there are 10 NWAs which protect 4,883 hectares of land.
Many of these areas protect essential habitat for rare plant and
animal species, including endangered wildlife. For example, Long
Point National Wildlife Area is home to nearly 100 rare plant species.
National Wildlife Areas are managed by the Canadian Wildlife Service,
part of Environment Canada. Canadian Wildlife Service staff maintain
the lands and buildings, conduct and oversee wildlife research and
public education, and enforce environmental laws.
There are many great Web sites where you can find out more about
protecting natural habitats, including Canada’s Network for
Nature.
Learn about Canada’s wildlife and share your knowledge with
others.
Hinterland Who’s Who
Environment Canada’s Protected Areas Network
www.hww.ca/hww2.asp?id=231
Environment Canada
Protected Areas Network
www.cws-scf.ec.gc.ca/habitat/default.asp?lang=En&n=BA28E937-0
Top
|
