A National Wildlife Area is a conservation status for a geographical region in Canada that restricts most human activities on that region.[1] However, land use permits may be issued "for activities that are compatible with conservation".[1] Such areas are established and managed by the Canadian Wildlife Service, a division of Environment Canada. They may consist of land and water features, as well as coastal areas extending up to 12 nautical miles (22 km) from shore.
Each National Wildlife Area involves a management plan which specifies activities which are generally allowed within the protected area, as well as activities requiring permits.[2] Under the Wildlife Area Regulations, traditional, personal and recreational activities such as hunting, fishing or canoeing are allowed, whereas resource extraction or livestock grazing would be permitted only under the authority of a yearly permit with strict limits.[2] Some National Wildlife Area in the territories, such as Polar Bear Pass, require co-management between federal government agencies and the Inuit, per the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement.[3]