Rules & Regulations
The primary purpose of wilderness and ecological reserves is to protect natural systems and species. Where possible, they also serve the secondary goals of the reserves program: providing venues for research, low-impact recreation, education, and ecotourism.
Accordingly, rules and regulations exist so that every wilderness and ecological reserve can fulfill its main conservation goals. Some regulations are universal, some vary by reserve.
In all wilderness and ecological reserves, the following activities are not allowed:
- introducing plants, animals, or anything else to the reserve landscape
- disturbing, destroying, or removing plants, animals or fossils
- forestry, mining (including exploration), hydro development, agriculture, new roads, tracks, or buildings
That said, most ecological reserves permit low-impact recreational activities, such as hiking or sightseeing, and educational and research visits. And all wilderness reserves are open to a range of low-impact recreational activities—valid entry permits required.
Some exemptions from the rules also apply for pre-existing structures and traditional activities. For example, individual cabins that were built before a reserve was established may be "grandfathered" into its regulations. Often, traditional activities that are not harmful to the goal of the reserve—seabird hunting in a fossil reserve, for example—are allowed.
The specific rules and regulations for visiting each reserve are outlined generally on its info page on this site. You can also click on the links below to reach each reserve's legislated regulations.
- Wilderness Reserve Regulations
- Botanical Ecological Reserve Regulations
- Fossil Ecological Reserve Regulations
- Seabird Ecological Reserve Regulations
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Regulations are pending for these seabird reserves:
- Funk Island Ecological Reserve
- Gannet Islands Ecological Reserve
- Hare Bay Islands Ecological Reserve
Little Grand Lake Provisional Ecological Reserve Regulations
