This proposal is massive -…

This proposal is massive - congratulations on all your work. I doubt there will be significant increases in provincial staff or budget to manage these new protected areas so the government will need to leverage existing land stewardship resources.

It's essential that the Ministry partner with groups around Ontario who already manage and love the different areas that are designated for protection. The government can make the biggest impact by working with the people who already care for these areas: "Friends Of..." groups, mountain bike or ski clubs, trail maintenance volunteers, map makers, local residents, etc.

These are the people who currently clear fallen branches from trails, repair boardwalks, post signs, give directions to lost snowshoers and host naturalist hikes, amongst many other services they provide, often for free. In many cases, groups hold insurance policies for different activities in the protected areas. Most of them are volunteers giving their time and money simply because they love these areas. It benefits the government if these groups keep doing these things.

The Ministry should not apply "one size fits all" policies to these protected areas. Some areas offer unique opportunities for backcountry skiing, mountain biking, hiking, hunting of a particular animal, orienteering or rock climbing. Some activities are compatible with one another, and others are not. Each protected area will be a little different and that's OK. In many cases, local users already have recreational practices and policies that are working, and the Ministry should be cautious about making changes that could damage volunteer relationships or harm long-established, low impact recreational activities.

Bottom line: Please listen to and partner with the Ontarians who know these lands well.