Are there different kinds of EEL sanctuaries?
The EEL Program’s Selection & Management Committee identified three Sanctuary Categories. Each EEL sanctuary is assigned a Category of 1, 2 or 3, based on that site’s conservation goals and public access needs. The types of activities to be offered at each sanctuary are determined by the assigned Category. A Category 1 ranking has the most options for public access, while a Category 3 has the least. To balance passive recreational uses and land conservation ‘core conservation areas’ are identified on all EEL sanctuaries. These are areas that are more sensitive and cannot handle much human disturbance, such as wetlands. These areas will not have trails or other public access features in order to protect the most fragile habitats within a sanctuary.
