Protected areas of Canada

Canada established the world's first national park management agency the Dominion Parks Branch now Parks Canada in 1911. In 1916, Canada and the United States signed the Migratory Birds Convention, which regulates the hunting of transcontinental migratory birds under the Migratory Birds Convention Act. The Canada Wildlife Act of 1973 goal is research on wildlife with a focus on larger species. The 1985 Fisheries Act regulates fishing, including the conservation and protection of fish and their spawning grounds. The National Marine Conservation Areas Act established a system of national marine conservation areas in 2002. Canada's Species at Risk Act (SARA) is the federal government legislation to prevent wildlife species from becoming extinct. ==Conservation agencies ==

The primary focus of national parks is to preserve ecological integrity. These parks are administered by Parks Canada. National Marine Conservation Areas, while also under federal control, do not afford the same level of protection. The Canadian Wildlife Service, a division of Environment Canada, manages the National Wildlife Areas, Marine Wildlife Areas, and Migratory Bird Sanctuaries for the protection of wildlife. Urban parks in Canada are operated by municipal governments for public recreation and foliage preservation in cities. Another form of conservation is made by land owners who want to preserve nature for future generations by placing a covenant on their land. ==Lists of conserved areas and sites ==

• List of Canadian protected areas • List of National Parks of Canada • List of National Wildlife Areas in Canada • List of Migratory Bird Sanctuaries of Canada • List of UNESCO Biosphere Reserves in Canada • List of national historic sites of Canada • List of World Heritage Sites in Canada ==See also==