Survey on the Importance of Nature to Canadians, 1996

The Survey on the Importance of Nature to Canadians (the Nature Survey) is the result of a partnership of 16 federal, provincial andterritorial government agencies responsible for wildlife, water, forestry, tourism, and parks and protected areas. The 1996 survey was designed to update and enhance information from surveys co-sponsored by similar partnerships in 1981, 1987 and 1991 under the name Survey on the Importance of Wildlife to Canadians. The Nature Survey included questions similar to those in previous surveys on wildlife related activities and recreational fishing. It was expanded to include a new set of questions on outdoor activities in natural areas such as camping and boating, among others. The objectives of the Survey on the Importance of Nature to Canadians were to: A: Measure the social and economic importance of nature to Canadians by collecting information on nature-related activities, including activities such as viewing, studying and photographing nature, camping, andvarious nature-related sports such as hiking, boating, hunting and fishing. B: Provide basic, accurate and reliable data on nature-related activities that are homogenous across provincial/territorial boundaries C: With the help of the information from the survey, develop programs for the protection and sustainable use of the natural environment.