Scientific research is encouraged in our wilderness and ecological reserves! Our protected areas provide natural venues for scientific research, and provide points of reference to support monitoring of environmental changes at regional, provincial, national, and international scales. Scientific research conducted in our reserves also provides important information about how we should be managing the areas to ensure ecological integrity is maintained. Please note that permits are required.

Research in wilderness and ecological reserves must receive prior approval from the Natural Areas Program. Researchers who are interested in working in our protected areas can apply for a scientific research permit by filling out the application here or by emailing the Natural Areas Program for more information.

For research and commercial operations in reserves other than seabird ecological reserves, applications are evaluated as they are received. Please allow up to three weeks for processing.

All applications for scientific research and commercial operations in seabird ecological reserves are reviewed once a year by the Seabird Ecological Reserves Advisory Committee (SERAC), and must be received at the Natural Areas Program office before March 31. A list of Newfoundland and Labrador’s seabird ecological reserves is available here.

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