​Context and Opportunities for Expanding Protected Areas in Canada

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Figure 1. Map of Canadian protected areas and ecozones.
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Figure 2. National map of ecozones with pie charts individually illustrating the breakdown of protected areas by ecozone into IUCN categories. Note: Ecozones differ with respect to the total amount of area protected.
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Table 7. IUCN Protected Area Matrix. Light grey cells indicate key opportunities for expansion of Canada’s PA systems.
Background

Protected areas play a central role in conserving biodiversity, supporting ecosystem services, and helping landscapes adapt to climate change. Although Canada is known for its vast and relatively intact environments, its protected area system has historically been uneven, favoring large and remote parks while leaving many ecological regions underrepresented. At the time of this work, only about 10.5% of Canada’s land and inland waters were formally protected, falling short of national and international targets. In addition, most protected areas relied on strict management approaches that limit human use, reducing flexibility and overlooking conservation opportunities on Indigenous and privately managed lands. We recognized a need to rethink how protection is expanded to better reflect Canada’s ecological and social diversity.

Approach

The lab conducted a synthesis of conservation science, governance models, and spatial planning approaches to identify practical strategies for expanding Canada’s protected area network. We analyzed the distribution of existing protected areas across the country’s major ecological regions to assess gaps in coverage and representation. Using spatial analysis and mapping tools, we evaluated how different conservation strategies—ranging from strict protection to managed landscapes that allow sustainable use—could complement one another. We also examined areas that already experience low levels of development and function as informal or “de facto” protected lands. This approach allowed us to explore how governance diversity and connectivity could be improved simultaneously.

Key Findings

Our analysis revealed several key opportunities to strengthen and expand protected areas in Canada:
  • Expansion Potential: Canada has significant capacity to meet and exceed conservation targets due to extensive intact landscapes and large areas that are already lightly developed.
  • Need for Diversification: The current network is dominated by very strict protection types. Incorporating a wider range of management approaches can improve ecological representation and allow conservation in more populated regions.
  • Boreal and Forested Regions: Several forested ecozones, particularly in the boreal region, remain under-protected despite high conservation value and relatively low development pressure.
  • Connectivity Matters: Strengthening connections between protected areas is critical for supporting species movement and long-term resilience under climate change.
Together, these findings emphasize that conservation success depends on networks, not isolated sites.

Impact

This work provides a science-based foundation for expanding protected areas in ways that are ecologically effective and socially inclusive. By highlighting the value of diverse governance and management approaches, we offer pathways to meet conservation targets while supporting Indigenous leadership, private stewardship, and regional planning. The lab’s findings inform policy and decision-making at multiple levels, helping Canada build a connected, resilient conservation network capable of supporting biodiversity and ecosystem services in a changing climate.

Resources

Published Paper: Wulder MA, Cardille JA, White JC, Rayfield* B. Context and Opportunities for Expanding Protected Areas in Canada. Land. 2018 Dec;7(4):137. DOI : https://doi.org/10.3390/land7040137.