Alberta contains many different natural landscapes and is home to numerous plant and animal species. Our parks and protected areas network helps to ensure that this environmental diversity is preserved for future generations.

Ecological Reserves
- Ecological reserves contain representative, rare and fragile landscapes, plants, animals and geological features.
- The primary intent of this class is strict preservation of natural ecosystems, habitats and features, and associated biodiversity.
- Ecological reserves serve as outdoor laboratories and classrooms for scientific studies related to the natural environment.
- Public access to ecological reserves is by foot only; public roads and other facilities do not normally exist and will not be developed.
- Most ecological reserves are open to the public for low-impact activities such as photography and wildlife viewing.

Wildland Provincial Parks
- Wildland parks are large, undeveloped natural landscapes that retain their primeval character.
- Trails and primitive backcountry campsites are provided in some wildland parks to minimize visitor impacts on natural heritage values.
- Some wildland parks provide significant opportunities for eco-tourism and adventure activities such as backpacking, backcountry camping, wildlife viewing, mountain climbing and trail riding.
- Designated trails for off-highway vehicle riding and snowmobiling are provided in some wildland parks.

Provincial Parks
- Provincial parks protect both natural and cultural landscapes and features.
- They are distinguished from wildland parks by their greater range of outdoor recreation facilities, the extent of road access, and the interpretive and educational programs and facilities that are available to visitors.
- Outdoor recreation activities that promote appreciation of a park's natural heritage and cultural features are encouraged.
- Provincial parks offer a variety of outdoor recreation opportunities and support facilities.
- Interpretive and educational programs that enhance visitor understanding and appreciation of, and respect for, Alberta's natural heritage (without damaging natural values) are offered in some provincial parks; these programs serve visitors of diverse interests, ages, physical capabilities and outdoor skills.
- Automobile access is typically provided to staging areas and support facilities.

Natural Areas
- Natural areas include natural and near-natural landscapes of regional and local importance for nature-based recreation and heritage appreciation.
- Natural areas are typically quite small, however, larger sites can be included in this class.
- Most natural areas have no facilities and in those that do, facilities are minimal and consist mainly of parking areas and trails.

Provincial Recreation Areas
- Recreation areas support a range of outdoor activities in natural, modified and man-made settings.
- They are managed with outdoor recreation as the primary objective.
- Some areas are intensively developed, while others remain largely undeveloped.
- Many recreation areas play a significant role in management of adjacent Crown lands and waters by localizing the impact of development and serving as staging areas.

Source: http://www.albertaparks.ca/aboutparks.aspx.