PAS 8-Step Process

The NWT Protected Areas Strategy (PAS) outlines a community-based process to establish a network of protected areas across the NWT. It recognizes the need to balance conservation and economic development, while respecting Aboriginal rights, third party interests, and land use planning processes.

There are eight steps to identify, create, and manage a protected area. The process is designed to be flexible, since the path taken by each area may be slightly different, depending on where it is located and who is involved.

Communities are involved in all steps of the process, especially during Steps 1 - 3. Once a sponsoring agency is confirmed, that agency and the candidate area working group take on a bigger role. The PAS Secretariat is available to help communities with each step.

  What happens? Who is involved?
STEP 1
  • Identify and map an area to protect
  • Get community support for protecting the area
  • Community
  • Scientists
STEP 2
  • Gather existing traditional and scientific information (Phase 1) on the ecological, cultural and economic values in the area
  • Prepare a proposal to protect the area
  • Get support for the proposal at the regional level
  • Community
  • Regional government
  • Land claim bodies
STEP 3
  • Ask potential sponsoring agency (e.g., Canadian Wildlife Service, Parks Canada, or Industry, Tourism and Investment) to sponsor the protected area and submit the proposal for review
  • If accepted, the area becomes a 'candidate protected area'
  • Community
  • Regional government
  • Sponsoring agency
STEP 4
  • Apply to the federal government for interim (short-term) protection for the area, if needed
  • Once approved, new land sales, leases or rights are not granted during the interim land withdrawal
  • Sponsoring agency
  • Federal government (Indian and Northern Affairs Canada)
STEP 5
  • Collect additional traditional and scientific information (Phase 2) about the candidate area’s ecological, cultural and economic values
  • Consult with communities and all affected parties
  • Make recommendations on the area’s designation, boundaries and management
  • Candidate area working group
  • Communities
  • Affected parties (regional organizations, land claim bodies, environmental organizations, industry)
STEP 6
  • Formally request the site be a permanently protected area
  • Sponsoring agency
  • Regional government
  • Territorial government
  • Federal government
STEP 7
  • Approve and set up the permanently protected area
  • Sponsoring agency
  • Territorial government
  • Federal government
STEP 8
  • Manage, monitor and review the protected area
  • Sponsoring agency
  • Management committee