Since 1988, the governments of Canada and Quebec have been working together to conserve, restore, protect and develop the St. Lawrence River under the St. Lawrence Action Plan (SLAP). One of the projects identified under the theme of biodiversity conservation is the development of an integrated plan for the conservation of the natural environments and biodiversity of the St. Lawrence River.The identification of priority sites for conservation has been the first step of this planning exercise. Conservation planning of natural environments requires a reliable, accurate and up-to-date image of the spatial distribution of ecosystems in the study area. In order to produce an Atlas of Priority Sites for Conservation in the St. Lawrence Lowlands, an updated cartography of the land cover of this vast territory was undertaken.This project required obtaining reliable information on the natural environments of the St. Lawrence Lowlands. Although several land cover mapping projects have been conducted for specific types of habitats, it was particularly important to obtain a homogeneous product that would cover the entire territory and that would provide the most detailed information on its various thematic components: agricultural, aquatic, human-modified and forest environments, wetlands as well as old fields and bare ground. The methodology used to produce the land cover mapping of the St. Lawrence Lowlands thus relied mainly on combining and enhancing the best existing products for each theme. This project was made in collaboration with MDDELCC as part of the St. Lawrence Action Plan (SLAP).

***** This project was carried out by Environment and Climate Change Canada in collaboration with the MDDELCC as part of the St. Lawrence Action Plan (PASL).Since 1988, the governments of Canada and Quebec have worked together to conserve and enhance the St. Lawrence River as part of the St. Lawrence Action Plan (PASL). One of the projects identified under the theme of biodiversity conservation is the development of an integrated plan for the conservation of natural environments and biodiversity in the St. Lawrence. Identifying priority natural environments for the conservation of biodiversity was the first step in this planning exercise. However, planning for the conservation of natural environments requires having a fair, reliable, accurate and current image of the spatial distribution of ecosystems in the study area. In order to produce an Atlas of territories of interest for conservation in the St. Lawrence Lowlands, an updated mapping of land use in this vast territory was therefore undertaken.This project required the obtaining of reliable information on the natural environments of the St. Lawrence Lowlands. Although numerous and excellent cartographic products already exist to delimit different types of environments, they often cover well-circumscribed regions and it was therefore particularly important to obtain a homogeneous product throughout the territory. At the same time, this makes it possible to obtain the best information on its various components: Agricultural, aquatic, anthropogenic, wooded, humid environments as well as wastelands and bare soils. The mapping of land use in the St. Lawrence Lowlands is thus mainly based on grouping and improving the best existing products for each of the themes.**This third party metadata element was translated using an automated translation tool (Amazon Translate).**

As part of the Pan-Canadian approach to transforming Species at Risk conservation in Canada, a total of 11 Priority Places were affirmed by federal, provincial, and territorial governments in December 2018. One additional priority place was affirmed in 2024. The places selected have significant biodiversity, concentrations of species at risk, and opportunities to advance conservation efforts. In each Priority Place, the federal and provincial or territorial governments are working with Indigenous Peoples, partners, and stakeholders to develop conservation action implementation plans. Using a defined planning approach (such as the Open Standards for the Practice of Conservation), these implementation plans identify key actions to address the greatest threats to species. Conservation implementation plans provide the foundation for collaborative action on the ground.The federal government, in collaboration with the provinces and territories, has agreed to the implementation of the Pan-Canadian Approach to Transforming Species at Risk Conservation in Canada. This new approach shifts from a single-species approach to conservation to one that focuses on multiple species and ecosystems. This enables conservation partners to work together to achieve better outcomes for Species at Risk. These 12 Priority Places are complemented by a suite of Community-Nominated Priority Places (CNPP), identified through an open call for applications.To learn more about the Priority Places initiative and the work undertaken by our partners to recover Species at Risk within these Priority Places, please visit our interactive website https://environmental-maps.canada.ca/CWS_Storylines/index-ca-en.html#/en/priority_places-lieux_prioritaires

This dataset contains spatial and attribute data for local government Heritage Conservation Areas (HCAs) established for heritage conservation purposes in British Columbia, as tracked by BC Heritage Branch. Under the Local Government Act, a local government may designate a HCA within its Official Community Plan (OCP). An OCP may include a schedule of properties located within a Heritage Conservation Area that are considered to be protected heritage property. This is a multi-part polygon layer.

The data contains the following mapping layers from the Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Plan: * Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Plan outer boundary * Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Plan designations, including: * natural core area * natural linkage area * countryside area * rural settlement * Palgrave Estates residential community * settlement area The data also contains associated policy designation mapping.

The Natural Environment Management Plan (PGMN) identifies the area for which the City of Lévis has conservation goals. This corresponds to map 13 of the Development Plan “The Natural Environments Conservation Area”.**This third party metadata element was translated using an automated translation tool (Amazon Translate).**

This dataset shows the boundaries of systems of natural heritage features and areas, lands and waters that support connectivity and have significant ecological value. It includes areas defined in provincial plans such as the: * [Greenbelt Plan](https://www.ontario.ca/document/greenbelt-plan-2017) * [Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Plan](https://www.ontario.ca/page/oak-ridges-moraine-conservation-plan-2017) * [Niagara Escarpment Plan](https://www.escarpment.org/LandPlanning/NEP) * [Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe](https://www.ontario.ca/document/place-grow-growth-plan-greater-golden-horseshoe)  This dataset does not include modifications to systems made by municipal governments as part of their official plans.

This data shows the component parts of the Greenbelt Area as set out in the Greenbelt Act, 2005. * There are currently four designations: * Niagara Escarpment Plan * Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Plan * Protected Countryside * Urban River Valley

This boundary layer shows all Special Conservation Areas (SCA) in Manitoba.The purpose of this dataset is to show the boundaries of all Special Conservation Areas (SCA) in Manitoba, as designated by the Designation of Wildlife Lands Regulation (171/2001) under The Wildlife Act (C.C.S.M. c. W130). Special Conservation Areas are designated to conserve and protect particular species and habitats throughout Manitoba. The Use of Wildlife Lands Regulation (77/99) determines what activities are prohibited within each Special Conservation Area. Boundaries are drawn based on CAD files from the official Director of Surveys Plan stated in the regulation.Fields included (Alias (Field Name): Field description.)FID (FID): Sequential unique whole numbers that are automatically generatedName (NAME): Special Conservation Area nameD of S Plan (DofS): Director of Surveys plan numberArea_HA (AREA_HA): Area in HectaresSpecies (SPECIES): Species name

The purpose of this feature class is to show areas that are National Parks (NPs), National Park Reserves (NPRs) and National Marine Conservation Area (NMCAs). Parks Canada manages more than 43 NPs. (See: https://parks.canada.ca/voyage-travel/recherche-tous-parks-all) for a list of PCA administered parks.By using this data, it is important to understand and accept that the data is not to be used for defining boundaries. Administrative decisions should be based on legal documents and legal survey plans.Canada Lands Surveys: https://clss.nrcan-rncan.gc.ca/clss/plan/search-recherche