Ontario. Wildlife Branch

• Wildlife Branch

The Wildlife Branch was created within the Ontario Department of Lands and Forests on April 1, 1971 when the Fish and Wildlife Branch was split to form the Wildlife Branch, the Sport Fisheries Branch and the Commercial Fish and Fur Branch.

The Wildlife Branch formed part of the Outdoor Recreation Division of the Ontario Department of Lands and Forests from 1971 to 1972. It formed part of the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources' Division of Fish and Wildlife between 1972 and 1978 and the Ministry's Outdoor Recreation Group between 1978 and 1990.

The Wildlife Branch absorbed the Fur Section of the Commercial Fish and Fur Branch in 1976 and the Wildlife Section of the Fish and Wildlife Research Branch on February 1, 1978.

The Wildlife Branch ceased to exist in 1991; its functions were assumed by the Wildlife Policy Branch and the Natural Resources Information Branch.

The Wildlife Branch managed Ontario's wildlife resource programs in accordance with the Game and Fish Act and the Endangered Species Act.

The activities of the Wildlife Branch included the review and development of policy for land use planning and resource development to ensure that wildlife interests were considered; the administration of federal-provincial agreements to develop natural resources for the improvement of the socio-economic status of natives; the co-ordination of fur management, hunter education, and training for hunting license examiners; conducting surveys of hunters and the public's interest in wildlife; providing educational and informational services to the public concerning the Branch's programs; monitoring land use patterns; working with landowners to facilitate private land management for wildlife; the administration of the Community Wildlife Involvement Program and Project WILD (a teacher education program); and conducting research on wildlife ecology, diseases, species and behaviour.

RAD: Rules for Archival Description, 2nd edn (2008)

2026-11-16: migrated to AtoM

Annual Report of the Minister of Lands and Forests, 1972.

Annual Reports of the Minister of Natural Resources, 1973-1990.

KWIC Index to Government Services, 1984.

Canadiana Authorities, 1996-12-24.

Archivist(s):
N. Martin, S. McClure