National Wildlife Area

A National Wildlife Area is a conservation status for a geographical region in Canada that restricts most human activities on that region.^[1] However, land use permits may be issued "for activities that are compatible with conservation".^[1] Such areas are established and managed by the Canadian Wildlife Service, a division of Environment Canada. They may consist of land and water features, as well as coastal areas extending up to 12 nautical miles (22 km) from shore.

Each National Wildlife Area involves a management plan which specifies activities which are generally allowed within the protected area, as well as activities requiring permits.^[2] Under the Wildlife Area Regulations, traditional, personal and recreational activities such as hunting, fishing or canoeing are allowed, whereas resource extraction or livestock grazing would be permitted only under the authority of a yearly permit with strict limits.^[2] Some National Wildlife Area in the territories, such as Polar Bear Pass, require co-management between federal government agencies and the Inuit, per the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement.^[3]

See also

• List of National Wildlife Areas in Canada

References

1. ^ ^{a b} "National Wildlife Areas". The Atlas of Canada. Natural Resources Canada. http://atlas.nrcan.gc.ca/site/english/maps/peopleandsociety/nunavut/specialplaces/nationalwildlifeareas/1. Retrieved 2008-01-27. 
2. ^ ^{a b} "Environment Canada’s Protected Areas Network". Canadian Wildlife Service and Canadian Wildlife Federation. http://www.hww.ca/hww2.asp?id=231. Retrieved 2008-01-27. 
3. ^ "Polar Bear Pass National Wildlife Area, Nunavut - Ramsar Site". Environment Canada. http://www.mb.ec.gc.ca/nature/whp/ramsar/df02s02.en.html. Retrieved 2008-01-27.