Parks Canada Agency

On behalf of the people of Canada, the Parks Canada Agency protects and presents nationally significant examples of Canada's natural and cultural heritage and fosters public understanding, appreciation and enjoyment in ways that ensure their ecological and commemorative integrity for present and future generations. Parks Canada’s Heritage Areas include National Parks, National Historic Sites, and National Marine Conservation Areas of Canada. These world class heritage places conserve our highly valued natural and cultural resources, and attract over 21 million visits annually from Canadians and international visitors who come to enjoy, experience, learn and connect with the land and the resouces they hold. … learn more about Parks Canada.

National Parks

There are a total of 42 national parks covering over 300,000 km2 of land in Canada, each representing its natural region. Some national parks are so unique that they are recognized globally as World Heritage Sites. By legislation and as a Corporate Plan priority, Parks Canada protects and restores the ecological integrity of these special places for all Canadians to ensure that they remain healthy and able to conserve ecosystem diversity, geologic splendours, cultural sites, and places that chronicle the nation's history. In addition, Parks Canada presents these places to Canadians for their experience, enjoyment, and education. National Parks have existed in Canada for well over a century..... learn more about:

• National Parks
• Ecological Integrity
• Ecosystem management
• Fire management
• Climate change in our national Parks
• Ecological Monitoring
• Ecosystem Restoration 
• Species at Risk

National Historic Sites

The National Historic Sites program includes persons, places and events declared to be of national historic significance. There are 949 National Historic Sites across the country, 166 of which are administered by Parks Canada. These Sites are managed to ensure their commemorative integrity, and visitors are invited to enjoy memorable experiences in the hope that they will form personal connections with these places, in addition to an appreciation of the aspect of Canada’s history they represent..…….learn more about …

• National Historic Sites
• Research Centres and other Resource Tools
• Unstable Ground: A changing climate at York Factory National Historic Site of Canada

National Marine Conservation Areas

National Marine Conservation Areas protect and conserve a network of areas representative of Canada's marine environments. There are three operating sites: Saguenay-St. Lawrence, Fathom Five, and Lake Superior National Marine Conservation Area. …learn more about National Marine Conservation Areas of Canada.

Canada’s World Heritage Sites

Parks Canada is the lead agency for the implementation of the UNESCO World Heritage Convention (WHC) in Canada. The convention is concerned with the protection of the cultural and natural resources that are recognized globally to be of outstanding universal value. A lot of scientific research is done to provide information for assessment of suitability of the sites in light of the World Heritage criteria and the priorities outlined in the WHC Global Strategy. Canada has 14 World Heritage Sites, eight of which are managed by Parks Canada.  …. Learn more about Canada World Heritage Sites.

Parks Canada Science

Parks Canada promotes research in diverse scientific disciplines including biology, ecology, geology, geography, terrain science, oceanography, climatology, hydrology, soil science, social science, archaeology, anthropology and traditional knowledge. The  Agency has an internet-based research support system  that allows on-line administration and management of research applications and permitting process. This system has a comprehensive information package consisting of a researcher’s guide, a list of research coordinators for each park and site, an online researcher reporting system, listings of national park research priorities and other support tools. 

Learn more about Parks Canada Research

National Parks and National Marine Conservation Areas post their research priorities on the internet as a way of sharing research needs with research partners, and to encourage targeted scientific studies that have direct impact on management. Learn more about Parks Canada Research Priorities.

Research Collaborations

The nature and complexity of Parks Canada’s research needs call for broad collaborations. The Agency has maintained strong research partnerships with other government departments and academic institutions. Over the last five years, more than 80 per cent of research projects in national parks have been conducted in partnership with other federal departments, academic institutions and other organizations. Some of the key federal government partners include Environment Canada, Natural Resources Canada, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Geological Survey of Canada, Indian and Northern Affairs Canada, and NSERC.