Since 1987, the Wildlife Program of the Ministry of Water, Land and Air Protection (formerly the Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks) has worked to manage and maintain our rich wildlife heritage by establishing numerous wildlife management areas. As of April 2001, 22 wildlife management areas (WMAs) have been established across British Columbia.
Wildlife management areas are created where there is a need to conserve and manage special lands which have habitat values. Some provide year-round habitat for threatened or endangered species. Others provide habitat important to wildlife during a particular life-cycle phase, such as staging grounds for migrating birds, or winter feeding grounds for deer and sheep. Some WMAs, such as Boundary Bay and Pitt-Addington Marsh, provide excellent viewing opportunities.
The main goal of wildlife management areas is to conserve and manage wildlife habitat. Activities and resource uses which are compatible with wildlife management may be allowed in the WMA. For example, at the South Arm Marshes Wildlife Management Area near Vancouver, part of the land is farmed to provide both agricultural products and wildlife habitat.
Wildlife Management Area Brochures
Area specific brochures have been prepared for some of the wildlife management areas, and one wildlife area. These contain general information about the management area as well as history, access and facility, recreation and viewing highlight information. Each also has a detailed map of the area.
