Managing Crown Land
Over 95% of Ontario’s north is considered Provincial Crown land, property managed under either the Provincial Parks Act or the Public Lands Act. Management of land involves four Land Use Designations: provincial park, conservation reserve, forest reserve or general use area. Also, some lands are considered Enhanced Management Areas, falling into categories including: natural heritage, recreation, remote access, fish and wildlife, Great Lakes Coastal areas, resource-based tourism and intensive forestry.

Crown land use seeks to balance regional economic factors including promotion of industry and tourism with the need to protect ecologically significant habitats.

Parks and Reserves: The different land use designations offer a variety of natural area protection and natural resource exploitation options. Provincial parks are managed to preserve natural and cultural values, and Conservation Reserves protect representative natural areas and special landscapes. In both cases, traditional recreational or non-commercial use in an area may continue, as long as the activity does not threaten the natural ecosystem. Commercial timber harvest, mining and commercial hydroelectric power development generally is not allowed, though mineral exploration may occur.

Most Crown land falls within the general use area category. Management allows a full range of recreational and resource activities, but the areas are monitored to maintain ecological integrity. Also, this designation promotes forest management planning to protect natural areas considered to be ecologically significant.
Additionally, the Enhanced Management Areas (EMA) may allow resource and recreational activity. For example, a fish and wildlife category EMA protects areas where fishing and hunting is promoted within the land use and management policies.