Nature’s hidden value

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When we protect nature, we protect the ecosystems that give us clean water, fresh air, and a stable climate. Worth billions of dollars, these services are not just environmental perks. They are essential to life and to the economy.

Why protecting ecosystems pays off

Across Canada, people benefit from the services that protected areas provide. Healthy ecosystems give us clean air and water, and fertile soil. They also provide other important benefits, like regulating the climate. These benefits are called “ecosystem services.” Nature provides them for free to people and to society.

A narrow, shallow ocean channel, dotted with small islands, cuts between dense forests that roll down low mountains to the shores.
The pristine environment of K’iid Xyangs Ḵ’iidaay Burnaby Narrows in Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve and Haida Heritage Site.
A cyclist stands with their bike beside a green meadow in glittering sunshine, drinking deeply from a water bottle.
It doesn’t take a hot day on a bike to recognize the value and importance of water.

Economists can measure the value of these services. They look at what it would cost to replace them if nature stopped doing this work. For example, forests and wetlands filter water. This reduces the need for expensive water treatment systems. Healthy ecosystems also support birds and bats that control pests. This lowers the need for pesticides. These services happen quietly, every day, saving Canadians billions of dollars.

A recent study found that ecosystem services in Parks Canada places may be worth $372 billion, every year! To estimate this value, Parks Canada researchers used satellite data to measure ecosystems in 53 protected areas. These areas cover about 47 million hectares, which is roughly the size of Sweden. Researchers then used economic values from scientific studies to estimate the value of services such as carbon storage, water filtration, and pollination.

See how protected areas support our health, communities, and the economy.

Text transcript

Canada's protected areas are priceless.

But if we could put a dollar value on the work they do for us, what would it be?

What if I told you that Canada's national parks, urban parks and marine conservation areas provide around $372 billion in ecosystem services every year?

Let me explain.

Ecosystem services are things nature does for free, like water filtration and pollination. These aren’t just environmental perks; they're essential to our economy and quality of life for all Canadians.

Economists have developed a reliable way to measure the value of these services.

Just from areas administered by Parks Canada, Canadians receive an estimated $372 billion worth of benefits every year. * wow! * Take water supply; forests and wetlands in these protected areas naturally filter our water, helping us to reduce water treatment costs. Or pest control, healthy ecosystems in Parks Canada places support birds and bats that naturally manage pests, reducing the need for harmful and expensive pesticides. If we ever lost these services, we'd end up paying the price literally for what nature is currently doing for free.

Protecting nature isn't only about saving beautiful landscapes.

It's an investment in Canada's economy and future. It’s not just a good deed, it’s good business. investing in nature = investing in our future

Key findings:

  • the estimated annual value of ecosystem services in Parks Canada places is $156 to $588 billion, with a midpoint of $372 billion
  • forests provide about 35% of the total value because they store carbon, produce oxygen, and cover large areas
  • wetlands, lakes, and marine areas provide $53 to $260 billion each year through flood control, and clean water supply
  • climate regulation is worth about $94 billion each year, and wildlife habitat adds another $90 billion

A close up of a monarch butterfly sitting on a vibrant cone flower.
A monarch butterfly settles on a coneflower flower. Pollination, much of it done by animal pollinators, is essential to large part of what you eat.
Small square baskets of blueberries and strawberries are arranged in rows on a table at a farmer’s market.
Equally brightly coloured baskets of berries tempt the tastebuds.

This table shows the annual value of each type of ecosystem service.

Estimated annual value of ecosystem services in billions of Canadian dollars
Services Estimated annual value (CA$ billions)
Climate regulation $94B
Habitat / refugia $89B
Nutrient cycling $47B
Waste treatment $34B
Natural disturbance regulation (e.g. fire) $29B
Water supply $26B
Water regulation $18B
Pollination $9B
Pest and disease control $9B
Gas regulation $6B
Erosion control $4B
Other $7B
Total $372B

Source: Adapted from Mulrooney et al., as summarized in Parks Canada analysis.

Why it matters

This study shows that protecting nature is not only about beauty or biodiversity. It’s an investment in Canada’s health, economy, and resilience. These results can help guide decisions. They can inform work to expand protected areas, restore ecosystems, and plan infrastructure with nature in mind.

By showing these important economic benefits, the study helps explain why protecting lands and marine areas is a priority. This research shows, in a tangible way, the importance of nature for people today and for future generations.

For more information, read the full study: The Value of Natural Capital in Canada’s National Parks and National Marine Conservation Areas (PDF, 1.0 MB).

Nature’s value: priceless

A toddler leaning over a rock by a lake with their hand splashing water droplets in the air.
A child from Łutsël K’é Dene First Nation splashes water by the shore during the summer in Thaidene Nene National Park Reserve.
Two children and an adult standing in front of a tent silhouetted by the setting sun behind them.
A small family enjoys a sunset in Grasslands National Park. There are countless ways to experience and enjoy the mental and physical well-being nature provides.

The true value of nature cannot be reduced to dollars alone. Beyond economic benefits, nature is a source of cultural identity and spiritual connection. For many Indigenous Peoples, the land is sacred. It is a foundation of health, resilience, and stewardship built over thousands of years. Research also shows that spending time in nature improves mental and physical well-being. This supports what Indigenous knowledge has long understood. Parks Canada honours these deep and enduring relationships with the lands, waters, and ice across Canada.

Join us in supporting nature conservation

More Canadians are discovering the benefits of nature. This makes it even more important to support conservation efforts.

By supporting conservation, we’re not only preserving natural beauty across Canada. We also invest in the economy and in the physical and mental well-being of Canadians today and in the future. These benefits are not limited to remote wilderness. Urban parks bring nature’s value into our cities. They cool neighborhoods, improve air quality, and offer green spaces where people can connect with nature every day.

Two adults walk along a board walk through green foliage and shrubs. A flowering branch extends across the foreground.
Whether it be a hike or a stroll, like shown here along the boardwalk of Orchard Trail in Rouge National Urban Park, making nature part of your regular routine is a healthy choice.

Nature is not a luxury. It’s essential for a healthy, balanced life and a sustainable future. So, what are you waiting for? Get outside, reconnect with nature, and protect the places that make us feel our best!

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