Creative resource mobilization for biodiversity: practical experiences, real results Financing Canadian Protected Areas Scott Wilson, Environment Canada COP 12, Pyeongchang, South Korea October 9, 2014

Page 2 Canada’s Protected Areas Network 7,450 protected areas. 1,036,645 km2 (10.4%) of its terrestrial area and inland water; 51,485 km2 (0.9%) of its marine area: about the size of Bolivia. Terrestrial protected areas system has grown by 8.1% increase) since 2009 Marine protected areas system has grown by 24% increase since Shared federal, provincial, local jurisdiction – national, provincial and local protected areas. Also have protected areas governed by indigenous and local communities; private protected areas.

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Page 4 Canada’s National Parks and Historic Sites 43 national terrestrial parks representing 28 of Canada's 39 terrestrial regions; 301,500 square kilometres. 4 national marine conservation areas spanning three oceans and the Great Lakes; 14,846 square kilometres. 956 places of national historic significance. $600 million annual budget $118 million in revenues Budget cuts related to overall federal government deficit reduction efforts = reduce costs and increase revenues But also: diverse income streams = more sustainability

Page 5 Parks Canada and Revenue Generation $118 M: revenues $84 M: visitors 66% entry fees22% camping6% hot pools, golf 6% others (interpretation, sports fees) $34 M: Realty sources, Others Business leasesLand rentsConcessions

Page 6 Parks Canada: Revenue growth? Some efforts on merchandise, but real focus on revenue from visitors. Stimulate more visitor volume Increase visitor fees Focus on National Parks as opposed to National Historic Sites (low visitor volumes, shorter stays) New camping infrastructure (Yurts, oTentik program)

Page 7 Ontario Parks

Page 8 Over 9 million visits a year

Page 9 Past financial challenges at Ontario Parks… Growing protected areas system Budget cuts starting in 1990s Need to find other sources of revenue

Page 10 Ontario Parks: Key revenue generation strategies Camping fees Sales Day use fees Land leases

Page 11 Transition from government funding…

Page 12 …towards a user-funded protected area system

Page 13 …towards a user-funded protected area system Over 9 million visits per year, on avg About 55% camping; 45% day visits Around 80% visitors are Ontario residents Only 10% from out of country Average camper stay: 3.5 nights

Page 14 Ongoing challenges

Page 15 Conclusions Less and less of the cost of operating and maintaining Canada’s protected areas is covered by public budgets. Need to find sustainable and predictable alternative revenue sources. Canadian jurisdictions have been able to fund large portions of their protected areas systems through user fees: Ontario Parks is a good example. The most important source of user fees has been camping fees, followed by day-use fees; sales and rentals of merchandise and equipment Most visitors are residents of Canada. Still challenges: infrastructure, regional disparities