Nature Reserves Guidelines on Permitted Activities

The following are interim guidelines applicable to all nature reserves until such time as Management Plans are developed for nature reserves. It is understood that Management Plans will set out permitted and non-permitted activities taking into account the specific goals, attributes and circumstances of each nature reserve.

Permitted Activities

The following uses are permitted:

• Nature appreciation and understanding
• Walking, hiking, snowshoeing and skiing on designated trails
• Photography from designated trails
• Scientific research – with approval from Ontario Nature
• On-leash dog walking

Non-Permitted Activities

The following uses are not permitted, except by approval of Ontario Nature:

• Hunting, fishing, trapping, logging, mining, quarrying
• Use of motorized vehicles other than in designated areas when used for such purposes as maintenance, service, emergencies or handicapped access
• Horseback riding
• Camping
• Cycling
• Unrestrained pets
• Fires
• Removal of native vegetation, animal, rock and mineral materials
• Harassment of wildlife
• Trimming of vegetation except for approved trail development or maintenance
• Drone usage

Ontario Nature, when considering the approval of such activities will consult with the appropriate staff including the Executive Director; consult with and/or inform local naturalist clubs, stewardship groups, and Ontario Nature directors.

Non-permitted activities are occasionally approved when the activity pre-dates Ontario Nature ownership of the property, continuation of the activity builds community support for protection efforts, and the activity does not have a detrimental impact on the natural values of the reserve.

Ontario Nature recognizes that Indigenous treaty rights to hunt, trap, fish and conduct ceremonies on traditional lands are protected under the Canadian Constitution.

You can download our Permitted Activities Policy.

Ontario Nature is a charity that has been protecting wild species and wild spaces through education, conservation and public engagement since 1931. We are there when nature needs us most.