This notice is for informational purposes only. There is no requirement to consult on this initiative on the Environmental Registry of Ontario. Learn more about the types of notices on the registry.
Why consultation isn't required
At this stage of management planning for Queen Elizabeth II Wildlands Provincial Park, there are no consultation requirements under the Environmental Bill of Rights because no policies are being proposed yet.
Ontario’s Protected Areas Planning Manual requires that the management options document be made available for review through the Environmental Registry of Ontario. This provides an opportunity for Indigenous communities, stakeholders and the public to get involved early in the planning process.
No decisions are being made at this time.
Bulletin details
Ontario is providing more opportunities for Ontarians to get outside and enjoy nature, while strengthening the protection and health of the environment. Ensuring parks have management plans that include necessary direction to protect nature and biodiversity is part of our government’s work to manage provincial parks and conservation reserves effectively.
Queen Elizabeth II Wildlands Provincial Park
QEII Wildlands Provincial Park is located 18 km south-east of Gravenhurst, 28 km north-east of Orillia and 10 km west of Minden. The park is situated in parts of the District Municipality of Muskoka (Ryde Township), City of Kawartha Lakes (Dalton and Digby townships) and Haliburton County (Anson and Lutterworth townships).
The 33,505-hectare (82,793-acre) natural environment class park was originally established as Dalton Digby Wildlands Provincial Park on May 8, 2002. The park was re-named Queen Elizabeth II Wildlands Provincial Park in 2003 in honour of Her Majesty’s Golden Jubilee visit to Ontario. It is currently guided by a 2001 management statement.
The park represents one of the most ecologically diverse and intact landscapes in the region. Its ecological significance is reflected in the wide range of habitats it contains, including rolling rock barren ridges, shallow soil deposits, numerous lakes, and diverse forest, wetland, and open vegetation communities. It protects provincially rare species, significant natural areas, and has potential for sites of archaeological and cultural importance.
QEII is also recognized for its outstanding recreational landscape, offering high-quality recreational and educational experiences. Popular activities throughout the area include backcountry camping, remote fishing, canoeing, hiking, and hunting.
Management options
We have developed a management options document to support the preparation of a management plan for Queen Elizabeth II Wildlands Provincial Park. This document outlines the key features and uses of QEII and seeks feedback on a range of management topics including the following:
- management themes
- backcountry camping and travel routes
- access and infrastructure
- boat caches
- all-terrain vehicle and motorized snow vehicle use
- landscape-based management approach
Interested persons are invited to identify other topics and options for consideration during this stage of the planning process.
Opportunities for public consultation
The management options document is available for review and feedback. The management options document contains a series of questions to gauge the level of support for, or concerns regarding, the topics presented. Feedback be submitted by completing the comment card online through the link provided in the Bulletin Supporting Material section, or by printing and mailing the completed comment card to the contact identified below.
The ministry will be contacting Indigenous communities and contacts on the project mailing list, including provincial and regional stakeholders to advise them of the proposal.
Feedback received on the management options will inform the development of the management plan for Queen Elizabeth II Wildlands Provincial Park.
Supporting Background Information
The Background Information Document for Queen Elizabeth II Wildlands Provincial Park was originally published in 2006 and updated in 2023. The background information has been made available under Bulletin Supporting Material below to support feedback on management options.
Supporting materials
View materials in person
Some supporting materials may not be available online. If this is the case, you can request to view the materials in person.
Get in touch with the office listed below to find out if materials are available.
2238 County Road 48
RR1
Kirkfield,
ON
K0M 2B0
Canada
Connect with us
Contact
Mike Cappello
2238 County Road 48
RR1
Kirkfield,
ON
K0M 2B0
Canada