This data set contains the polygons delimiting the protected or in the process of being protected indoor natural environments in the agglomeration of Montreal. It does not include the protected aquatic environments of large bodies of water that fall under the jurisdiction of the governments of Quebec and Canada.**This third party metadata element was translated using an automated translation tool (Amazon Translate).**

These themes present the compilation of protected areas in Quebec. They also include important territories. Protected areas include a variety of different legal or administrative designations. Territories registered on the Register of Protected Areas must meet the definition of protected area under the Natural Heritage Conservation Act (LCPN; RLRQ, chapter C-61.01) or that of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN). The definition of the LCPN is “A protected area is a territory, in a terrestrial or aquatic environment, geographically delimited, whose legal framework and administration are aimed specifically at ensuring the protection and maintenance of biological diversity and associated natural and cultural resources”. While IUCN defines it as “A clearly defined, recognized, recognized, dedicated and managed geographic space, by any effective legal or other means, in order to ensure the long-term conservation of nature and associated ecosystem services and cultural values”. An area of importance for conservation is a geographically delimited territory, for which the Ministry of the Environment and the Fight against Climate Change (MELCC) or an authority of the Government of Quebec has expressed its intention to prioritize its allocation for the purposes of protected areas.**This third party metadata element was translated using an automated translation tool (Amazon Translate).**