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This dataset contains parks and protected areas managed for important conservation values and are dedicated for the preservation of their natural environments for the inspiration, use and enjoyment of the public. Places of special ecological importance are designated as ecological reserves for scientific research and educational purposes. Source data is Tantalis. *April 18, 2018: Prior to this date this dataset had one spatial boundary per park per survey plan that intersected the boundary of that park.

The Wildland Park dataset is comprised of all the polygons that represent to preserve and protect natural heritage and provide opportunities for backcountry recreation in Alberta.

Displays areas regulated as a conservation reserve in order to: * permanently protect representative ecosystems, biodiversity and significant elements of Ontario's natural and cultural heritage * provide opportunities for ecologically sustainable land uses, including traditional outdoor heritage activities and associated economic benefits * allow for scientific research and provide points of reference to support monitoring of ecological change on the broader landscape Official LIO title: Conservation Reserve Regulated

The Heritage Rangeland dataset is comprised of all the polygons that represent areas to preserve and protect natural features that are representative of Alberta's prairies and grazing is used to maintain the grassland ecology.

The Provincial Park is comprised of all the polygons that represent parks that preserve natural heritage; they support outdoor recreation, heritage tourism and natural heritage appreciation activities that depend upon and are compatible with environmental protection where natural, historical, and cultural landscapes and features are protected under Provincial Parks Act in Alberta.

The Wilderness Area dataset is comprised of all the polygons that represent areas to preserve and protect natural heritage, where visitors are provided with opportunities for non-consumptive, nature-based outdoor recreation in Alberta.

Ecosystems present ecological integrity when their native species and communities, landscapes and functions are intact and likely to persist. The ecological integrity of national parks is assessed by monitoring major park ecosystems, such as forest, freshwater and wetlands. It is a key measure of the condition of our national parks. The Ecological integrity of national parks indicator summarizes the state (good, fair, poor) and trend (improving, stable, declining) of ecosystems within national parks.

Ecologically and Biologically Significant Areas (EBSAs) are areas within Canada's oceans that have been identified through formal scientific assessments as having special biological or ecological significance when compared with the surrounding marine ecosystem. Failure to define an area as an EBSA does not mean that it is unimportant ecologically. All areas serve ecological functions to some extent and require sustainable management. Rather, areas identified as EBSAs should be viewed as the most important areas where, with existing knowledge, regulators and marine users should be particularly risk averse to ensure ecosystems remain healthy and productive.

The National Ecological Framework for Canada provides a consistent, national spatial framework that allows various ecosystems to be described, monitored and reported on. It provides standard ecological units that allow different jurisdictions and disciplines to use common communication and reporting, and a common ground to report on the state of the environment and the sustainability of ecosystems in Canada.

The framework was developed between 1991 and 1999 by the Ecosystems Science Directorate, Environment Canada and the Center for Land and Biological Resources Research, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. Over 100 federal and provincial agencies, non-governmental organizations and private sector companies contributed to its development.

The Rocky Mountains Forest Reserve dataset is comprised of all the polygons that represent Rocky Mountains Forest Reserves in Alberta. The Rocky Mountains Forest Reserve is an area designated through a Legislature Act in 1948 that provides the conservation of the forests and the protection of the watersheds and rivers on the eastern slope of the Rocky Mountains.