Regulations
 Respecting Nature -- Our Contribution to Its Protection
All of us have a role to play in ensuring park conservation. Whether we are visitors, planners or park superintendents, all of us need to be concerned about the protection of the natural environment.
Parks are home to a multitude of habitats where fauna and flora abound. Both large and small mammals circulate freely in our parks. The Parks Regulation is, in a way, a code of ethics that helps orient our contribution to the protection of our natural heritage. Ecological practices are essential if we are to ensure the sustainability of this invaluable natural heritage. Cutting down or damaging trees is unthinkable. Similarly, the presence of pets is prohibited in all parks of the network. On campgrounds, nature
and tranquility deserve to occupy their rightful place.
Regulations in Parks
When it comes to protected areas, creating and managing a park may, at first glance, seem to include decisions that are paradoxical. Indeed, the desire to permanently protect important elements of our natural heritage and the willingness to make them accessible to the public may seem contradictory. Yet this is the very challenge facing all states that have created networks of national parks. We must ensure that visitors feel that they are part of the ecosystems they are visiting. Through the attitudes that visitors
adopt during their stay, they must respect these exceptional environments and contribute to ensuring their sustainability for the benefit of future generations. Under this approach, planners, managers and visitors all share the same objective, and each has the necessary means to help achieve it..
Zoning
Zoning is a key tool that enables park planners to reconcile conservation and accessibility. Zoning helps to determine the use made of the territory and its level of accessibility. Through zoning, access to sectors containing fragile, rare or threatened natural resources can be prohibited. Similarly, in those areas where the carrying capacity allows, zoning will foster the establishment of more significant infrastructures. Between these two extremes, other categories of land use assignment are possible. There are
five types of zones in Québec's parks, depending on the nature to be protected.
- In the maximum preservation zone, emphasis is placed on the integral preservation of the natural environment. Access to this zone is prohibited, except for educational or scientific purposes, and with the authorization of the park superintendent.
- The preservation zone is a portion of the park that is characterized by a fragile environment and a very limited self-regeneration capacity. Access to this zone is only authorized on developed trails. In certain exceptional cases, a few wilderness campsites will be set up on backpacking trails.
- The natural environment zone is the largest in size. The purpose of this zone is to permit the discovery and exploration of the natural environment. It allows for a variety of educational and outdoor activities. Similarly, berry picking and, as the case may be, fishing, are authorized under certain conditions.
- The intensive recreation zone is easily accessible and has a high potential for the practice of certain recreational activities. Requiring moderate protection measures, this zone lends itself to more intensive developments, such as a serviced beach, a downhill ski center or a golf course.
- The services zone, as its name suggests, is assigned to the location of services, such as the Visitors Center, rental boutiques, etc.
Powers of the Park Superintendent
In accordance with established policies, the park superintendent determines the activities that are authorized in the park, as well as their duration, their location and the terms and conditions under which they may be practiced. Through the educational programs that he puts in place, the signs, improvements or any other means that he deems appropriate, he offers visitors a framework that enables them to become better aware of the exceptional natural environment to which they have access. During the season, he may
also prohibit or reduce access to the park or to a sector, if the protection of natural resources or user safety justifies such action.
Visitor's Code of Ethics
 All the efforts of park managers would be pointless if visitors did not make their contribution. In a way, the Parks Regulation is a code of ethics for visitors, a guide outlining appropriate practices in order to respect the protected nature which visitors have the privilege of discovering. It would be unthinkable to paint graffiti inside St. Peters Basilica in Rome or to scribble on a painting of one
of the Great Masters in the Louvre. The same should be true for our parks, which are natural museums. Here is a list, albeit incomplete, of the main elements found in the code of ethics.
- Parks are like treasure chests that testify to the great wealth of our ecosystems. To preserve these natural assets for future generations, removing natural elements is prohibited at all times.
- Flora is sensitive to traffic. When one adds up the impacts of thousands of visitors, it is easy to understand why it is important to remain on trails.
- Nature offers us a portrait of exceptional balance. Animals have everything they need to eat, with or without our presence. That is why visitors must not feed animals.
- Pets are prohibited in Québec's national parks. However, guide dogs and assistance dogs accompanied by their foster families are admitted under all circumstances and in all places. The dogs must be easily identifiable, wearing Mira scarves or harnesses. People in charge of the animals must carry letters of certification from the foundation.
- The park's carrying capacity is a constant concern. The impact of human presence is measured according to the conservation objectives of the national parks. In this respect, the number of persons, pieces of equipment or vehicles on the same site has been set with a view to offering users an experience that is worthy of a national park.
- Being able to take advantage of an authentic natural environment that is both clean and wholesome is truly a pleasure! That is why it is important to bring back your garbage with you and place it in the appropriate containers. Also remember to take home all harmful substances such as soap, oil, fuel or pesticides.
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