Ottawa – An Other Effective area-based Conservation Measure (OECM) is a way to protect nature by recognizing areas that help conserve biodiversity, even if they’re not officially protected parks or reserves. OECMs can be places that provide important habitats for wildlife, protect ecosystems, or help maintain ecological balance. These areas are used for sustainable activities while also being managed to support both natural and cultural values. To be recognized as an OECM, a site must meet specific international standards and pan-Canadian criteria, showing it effectively contributes to conservation. The recognition is important because it highlights the vital role each area plays in preserving nature for the future. In 2023 and 2024, Parks Canada recognized five new sites as OECMs. They are listed below.
1. Navy Island National Historic Site (Ontario): 129 ha
Navy Island National Historic Site is a large natural area located in the Niagara River which lies 0.5 km from the Ontario mainland to the west and Grand Island, New York to the southeast. The Island is home to plants and animals typical of the area, and it has been used and occupied by human beings for thousands of years. Designated a site of national historic significance in 1921, Navy Island was recognized because it was the first shipyard used by the British army from 1761 to 1764. Later in 1837 it was occupied by the “Patriot” army from Buffalo under the command of William Lyon Mackenzie after being defeated in Toronto as part of the Mackenzie Rebellion. All these key events have added to the island’s rich history.
The site was recognized as an OECM for supporting the threatened Carolinian forest ecosystem and serving as a critical habitat for multiple species at risk.
For more information on Navy Island National Historic Site, please visit: https://parks.canada.ca/lhn-nhs/on/fortgeorge/culture/ile-navy-island
2. Fort George National Historic Site (Ontario): 32 ha
Fort George National Historic site sits along the Niagara River and is primarily a recreated version of the 18th century fort, as the original was destroyed during the War of 1812. Once an active fortification during the War of 1812, Fort George served as headquarters for the Center Division of the British Army and played a key role in defending Upper Canada.
Adjacent to the fort is Paradise Grove, which is a remnant example of a rare black oak savannah ecosystem. The conservation of the black oak savannah at Paradise Grove has been identified as important for species at risk, such as butternut (Juglans cinerea) and white wood aster (Eurybia divaricata). The presence of these natural heritage values underscores the importance of managing the historic site not only as a heritage asset but also in a way that continue to support the conservation of biodiversity. The forested property of Paradise Grove as part of this national historic site has been recognized as an OECM.
For more information on Fort George National Historic Site, please visit: https://parks.canada.ca/lhn-nhs/on/fortgeorge
3. Grosse-Île and Irish Memorial National Historic Site (Québec): 250 ha
Located in the middle of the St. Lawrence River, in the Isle-aux-Grues archipelago, Grosse-Île was the main immigration gateway to Canada and served as a quarantine station for the Port of Quebec from 1832 to 1937. Grosse-Île also commemorates the tragic events experienced by Irish immigrants on Grosse-Île, mainly during the typhus epidemic of 1847, as well as the role played by the Island, from 1832 to 1937, as a quarantine station for the Port of Québec.
In addition to its historical significance, Grosse-Île is also a major ecological site. The island has a great diversity of ecosystems, including forests, wetlands and intertidal areas. It is home to a rich and varied flora, with more than twenty-five species of trees and more than six hundred floral species identified, some of which are rare or have a precarious status. The site is also a refuge for more than 96 species of birds and plays a crucial role in the conservation of biodiversity in the St. Lawrence Estuary. Its designation as an OECM therefore reflects the balance between protecting its cultural heritage and preserving its natural ecosystems, making this site a model of conservation.
For more information on Grosse-Ille and Irish Memorial National Historic Site, please visit: https://parks.canada.ca/lhn-nhs/qc/grosseile.
4. Rideau Canal National Historic Site (Ontario): 19,972 ha
The Rideau Canal National Historic Site, covering 19,972 hectares in Ontario, was constructed between 1826 and 1832. It is a symbol of Canadian history and engineering, balancing cultural and natural heritage with its function as a navigable waterway. The Rideau Canal is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site and Canadian Heritage River.
It is recognized as an OECM for its role in conserving biodiversity and protecting natural ecosystems. This recognition highlights the canal’s importance not only as a historical and engineering landmark but also as an ecological corridor. Its wetlands, lakes, rivers, and surrounding ecosystems provide habitat for wildlife, including species at risk, and contribute to clean water and carbon storage. The OECM status reflects the site’s successful balance of heritage preservation and conservation.
For more information on Rideau Canal National Historic Site, please visit: https://parks.canada.ca/lhn-nhs/on/rideau
5. Ya Ha Tinda Ranch (Alberta): 3,945 ha
Ya Ha Tinda Ranch is a working horse ranch with a primary mandate to raise, train, and winter horses for use in Parks Canada operations while also protecting the associated environmental and cultural resource values. It is located on the north bank of the Red Deer River, approximately 1.5 km to the east of Banff National Park. It is owned by the Government of Canada and operated and managed by Parks Canada.
Ya Ha Tinda Ranch is recognized as an OECM for its contributions to biodiversity. Ya Ha Tinda Ranch is home to a unique montane-grassland ecosystem that provides vital habitat for a large variety of wildlife, including key winter range habitat for a large herd of elk*. All the watercourses at the ranch are listed as critical habitat for Bull Trout under the Species at Risk Act. Over one hundred different bird species have been recorded on the property, including some of which are of conservation concern. Additionally, Ya Ha Tinda Ranch holds significant cultural and social value.
For more information on Ya Ha Tinda Ranch OECM Recognition, please visit: https://parks.canada.ca/pn-np/ab/banff/info/gestion-management/ya-ha-tinda
*The Ya Ha Tinda Elk and Predator-Prey study is one of the longest elk population studies in the world. For over 20 years, the study has made great strides in understanding how the interacting effects of climate, prescribed fire, human use, forage quality, and predation risk affect elk population trends and migration strategies. The project is now helping Parks Canada understand the ecological effects of reintroduced bison on elk and other wildlife.