This spatial dataset represents the locations of aquatic resource area (ARA) polygon segments derived from corresponding polygon features in the Ontario Hydro Network. ARA polygon segments may represent a portion of a water body or an entire water body (such as a lake, river or stream). Attributes for each location may include: * physical characteristics such as water temperature and depth * fish species observed The ARA data classes are the authoritative source for generic spatial data related to fish species in Ontario. The data may be used for: * forest and fisheries management planning * municipal planning * natural heritage and other land use planning * issuing work permits under the [Public Lands Act](https://www.ontario.ca/laws/statute/90p43), 1990 * issuing licenses under the [Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act](https://www.ontario.ca/laws/statute/97f41), 1997 * fulfilling public information requests There are additional sensitive data related to provincially tracked species and species at risk that are not available as part of this open data package. Distribution of sensitive species data is approved on a need-to-know basis. Requests should be sent to [geospatial@ontario.ca](mailto:geospatial@ontario.ca).

This oblique aerial imagery covers the shoreline of southeastern Georgian Bay, from approximately Port Severn to a point a few kilometres west of the Simcoe/Grey County line. Taiga Air Services Ltd. acquired the data from November 16 to December 2, 2014. To collect the data, they flew a helicopter 160 metres from shore and 100 metres above the water. Overlapping oblique images are available in the following formats: * TIFF (120 MB) * JPG (3.5 MB) * photo centre point shapefile, which you can use to link to the images from GIS software Imagery is available as one packaged product for the Georgian Bay shoreline. To order the data, follow our ordering instructions, which involve mailing an external hard drive to Land Information Ontario. Imagery will be used to investigate the potential of using oblique imagery to complement existing ortho imagery. This will: * help improve interpretation of shoreline features * updating shoreline mapping The imagery also provides a snapshot in time, capturing the current condition of the southeastern Georgian Bay shoreline. The following partners were involved with the project: * Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry * Ontario Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change * Environment Canada * Severn Sound Environmental Association * Nottawasaga Valley Conservation Authority * Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority * County of Simcoe

The Ontario Stewardship Program has established Stewardship Councils across Ontario. Ministry of Natural Resources staff no longer directly administer and support Ontario Stewardship Councils. Community-based partners and stakeholders now independently administer Stewardship Councils. We are no longer updating this data. It is best suited for historical research and analysis. __Stewardship Zone__ The Ontario Stewardship Program divides the province into four administrative regions or zones. Any given Stewardship Council will fall into one of these zones. __Stewardship Council Area__ The Ontario Stewardship Program established Stewardship Councils across southern Ontario and a portion of Northern Ontario. Where these councils have defined administrative boundaries, the location is stored in this data class. __Stewardship Council Location__ Most councils have established administrative boundaries that generally conform to upper tier municipalities. There are some councils in Northern Ontario which are generally located in and around a certain geographic location but do not have established administrative boundaries. This data class is primarily used to store point locations associated with these northern councils.

The Ministry of Natural Resources defines ecological units on the basis of bedrock, climate (temperature, precipitation), physiography(soils, slope, aspect) and corresponding vegetation. This enhances their compatibility with national and continental classification systems. The ELC of Ontario is used for descriptive, planning, and resource management purposes. The upper levels in its hierarchy may be relevant for provincial and municipal land-use planning initiatives. The lower (finer-scale) levels of the hierarchy are most useful for detailed resource management prescriptions and other local and site planning applications. This packaged dataset is classified into 3 hierarchical categories: * Ecozone: used for national and coarse-scale provincial reporting such as analyses of climate, demographics and watersheds * Ecoregion: used for determining the significance or status of wetland classes and certain other natural heritage features (e.g., old growth forest), setting targets for Wilderness Class Provincial parks, State of the Forest reporting and studying natural disturbance regimes * Ecodistrict used for assessing biodiversity levels, defining seed zones, mapping ecosystem types and setting targets for the identification of natural heritage systems [Introduction to ecological land classification](https://www.ontario.ca/page/introduction- ecological-land-classification-systems) *[ELC]: Ecological land classification

Includes: * National Parks * National Marine Conservation Areas * heritage canals * National Wildlife Areas * Other Federal Protected areas This dataset is provided by the federal government, and may not include all Federal protected lands.

Note: This data has been replaced by the [Ontario Watershed Boundaries (OWB)](https://geohub.lio.gov.on.ca/datasets/mnrf::ontario-watershed-boundaries-owb). We are no longer updating this data. It is best suited for historical research and analysis. A watershed, also known as a catchment basin, includes all land that is drained by a watercourse and its tributaries. Watersheds are split into four categories: * primary * secondary * tertiary * quaternary These divisions are based on the federal framework originally known as the Water Resources Index Inventory Filing System. Ontario has 3 primary watersheds: * Great Lakes – St. Lawrence * Southwestern Hudson Bay * Nelson River Secondary watersheds are subdivisions of primary watersheds in Ontario. Most secondary divisions are either large river systems or groupings of small coastal streams. Tertiary watersheds are subdivisions of secondary watersheds in Ontario. Quaternary watersheds are subdivisions of tertiary watersheds. There are more than 1000 quaternary watersheds in Ontario.

Wetlands are lands that are seasonally or permanently flooded by shallow water. They also include lands where the water table is close to the surface. The wetland polygons are managed independently from other hydro data classes and may overlap water bodies or other hydro data. Not all wetlands have been identified and mapped. Active maintenance is ongoing province wide. The currency and accuracy of the spatial representation is variable and requires on-the-ground verification.

NGO Nature Reserves are polygon features describing lands held by nature trusts and other non-government agencies for the purpose of nature conservation. We are no longer updating this data. It is best suited for historical research and analysis. This product requires the use of GIS software. *[NGO]: non-government agency *[GIS]: geographic information system

Information about roads under MNRF jurisdiction may fall within the responsibility of several different ministry branches and including: * Forests Division * Parks, Lands & Waters Branch * Resource access roads The dataset also contains roads not under the jurisdiction of the MNRF like municipal roads and provincial highways. These are sourced from the Ontario Road Network. *[MNRF]: Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry

Identifies First Nation Reserve boundaries defined by the Legal Surveys Division of Natural Resources Canada.