Crown Land: Indicators and Statistics - Ministry of Forests

Table 11 Types of Protected Area Designations
Designation Purpose Level of Protection
Ecological
Reserves
(Ecological Reserve
Act)
Provincial Parks
(Park Act)
Protected Areas
(Environment and
Land Use Act)
Conservancies
(Park Act or
Protected Areas of
BC Act)
Recreation
Areas (Park Act)
Wildlife
Management
Areas
(Wildlife Act)
Reserve Crown land for ecological
purposes. May include: areas that are
representative examples of BC’s natural
ecosystems; or rare or endangered native
plants and animals that rely on natural
habitats.
Protect representative examples of BC’s
environment, including: rare, endangered,
or sensitive species or habitats; unique
or outstanding features; or, areas for
scientific research and education.
Protect representative examples
of terrestrial and marine diversity,
recreational and cultural heritage.
Conservancies are set aside to:
• protect and maintain biological
diversity and natural environments;
• preserve and maintain First Nations’
social, ceremonial and cultural uses;
• protect and maintain recreational
values;
• ensure development or use of natural
resources is conducted in a sustainable
manner.
All extractive activities (e.g. tree cutting, hunting,
fishing, mining) are prohibited.
This designation offers the highest level of protection
and is least subject to human influence.
Class A parks – park use permits not issued unless
necessary to preserve or maintain recreational values.
Class B parks – park use permits not issued for an
interest in land or natural resources unless the activity is
not detrimental to recreational values of the park.
Class C parks – requirements for management are
identical to Class A parks.
Site-specific management direction.
Park use permits are only issued if the use or activity
will not hinder, restrict, prevent or inhibit the
development, improvement or use in accordance with
the purposes for which it was set aside.
Commercial logging, mining and hydroelectric power
generation (other than local run-of-the-river projects)
are prohibited.
Reserve land for public recreational use. Greater discretion in issuing park use permits than in
provincial parks designations.
Reserve land to conserve and manage
critical habitat for the benefit of regionally,
nationally and internationally significant
fish and wildlife species.
Source: Environmental Trends in British Columbia, 2007
Allowable activities are outlined within an applicable
legal agreement (e.g. a lease), strategic plan, or other
management plan. Sustainable resource development
is sometimes accommodated, and for this reason,
WMAs are sometimes not considered to be part of the
formal “protected areas”.
Ministry of
Forests, Lands and
Natural Resource Operations
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