Big Creek National Wildlife Area

To protect this area on the north shore of Lake Erie in Ontario, are home to a wealth of wildlife species. Seasonal highlights include spring and fall waterfowl migration, marsh bird nesting in early spring, and fall Monarch migration. Established in 1977, the NWA’s 782 hectares are divided between two units, Big Creek and Hahn.

Species of Concern: King Rail, Prothonotary Warbler, Least Bittern, Blanding's Turtle, Eastern Foxsnake, Eastern Hog-nosed Snake, Fowler's Toad, Red-headed Woodpecker, Short-eared Owl, Eastern Ribbonsnake, Milksnake, Monarch, Swamp Rose-mallow

Restrictions

The prohibited activities listed in the Wildlife Area Regulations are the following:
1. Introducing any living organism whose presence is likely to result in harm to any wildlife or the degradation of any wildlife residence or wildlife habitat;
2. Hunting, fishing or trapping;
3. Having in their possession any equipment that could be used for hunting, fishing or trapping;
4. Having in their possession, while fishing, any lead sinkers or lead jigs;
5. Having in their possession any wildlife, carcass, nest, egg or a part of any of those things;
6. Carrying on any recreational activities, including swimming, camping, hiking, wildlife viewing, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing and skating;
7. Operating a conveyance – including a conveyance without a driver on board – other than an aircraft;
8. Conducting a take-off or landing of an aircraft, including a remotely piloted aircraft;
9. Operating on land or in the water a remotely controlled self-propelled device or setting in motion on land or in the water an autonomous self-propelled device;
10. Removing, damaging or destroying any poster or sign or any fence, building or other structure;
11. Selling, or offering for sale, any goods or services;
12. Carrying on any industrial activity;
13. Disturbing or removing any soil, sand, gravel or other material;
14. Dumping or depositing any waste material or any substance that would degrade or alter the quality of the environment;
15. Removing, damaging or destroying any artifact or natural object; or carrying out any other activity that is likely to disturb, damage, destroy or remove from the wildlife area – whether alive or dead – wildlife residence or wildlife habitat.

Allowed

Under certain conditions, the prohibited activities may be authorized through a permit. In Nunavut, Nunavut Inuit, as per the Nunavut Agreement (NA), can hunt wildlife, including the collection of migratory bird eggs and feathers, for their economic, social, and cultural needs (Section 5 of the Nunavut Agreement). Access to Ninginganiq NWA by anyone other than Inuit enrolled under the Nunavut Agreement is restricted; therefore, any non- Nunavut Inuit must obtain a permit to access or conduct any activity within Ninginganiq NWA. Activities that may be permitted will be in accordance with the conservation objectives of the NWA management plan (currently in press).