Department of Natural Resources: About us

The Department of Natural Resources is responsible for the development, management, conservation and protection of the province’s forest, wildlife and mineral resources. We promote the sustainable development of natural resources to support jobs, help grow the economy and provide social and environmental benefits.

We provide sustainable management of Crown lands and operate provincial parks throughout the province.

The department supports the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity by protecting species at risk, monitoring forest pests and diseases, managing wildlife and promoting hunter safety. We also manage the Registry of Mineral and Petroleum Titles and are responsible for ongoing research to make sure that the use of mineral resources is sustainable.

• developing programs, policies and research for the conservation and sustainable use of natural resources
• conducting research to better understand natural resources, including geology and related hazards, forest ecosystems, wildlife and biodiversity
• managing Crown lands and operating provincial parks
• protecting forests by preventing, detecting and managing risks (for example, forest pests and wildfires)
• promoting exploration and development opportunities in mineral, petroleum and energy sectors and administering onshore mineral, petroleum and energy rights

The Department of Natural Resources has about 730 staff including economists, forestry experts, biologists, park staff, petroleum experts, geologists, engineers, hydrologists and land surveyors across the province.

• promoting forest sector innovation and transformation, including the implementation of ecological forestry recommended by the Independent Review of Forest Practices (the “Lahey Report”)
• protecting land and water for nature conservation
• protecting wildlife, species at risk and biodiversity
• making sure that Crown lands are sustainably used, protected and managed