Editing Nature reserve

{{short description|Protected area for flora, fauna or features of geological interest}}
{{Redirect|Biological reserve|use of the term specific to Brazil|Biological reserve (Brazil)}}
{{Redirect|Biosphere reserve|use of the term specific to UNESCO|Man and the Biosphere Programme}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2020}}

[[File:Jefferson Memorial Forest-Bee Lick Creek.jpg|thumb|Bee Lick Creek in the [[Jefferson Memorial Forest]], a [[National Audubon Society]] wildlife refuge]]
A '''nature reserve''' (also known as a '''wildlife refuge''', '''wildlife''' '''sanctuary''', '''biosphere reserve''' or '''bioreserve''', '''natural''' or '''nature preserve''', or '''nature [[conservation area]]''') is a [[protected area]] of importance for [[flora]], [[fauna]], [[funga]], or features of [[geological]] or other special interest, which is reserved and managed for purposes of [[Conservation (ethic)|conservation]] and to provide special opportunities for study or [[research]]. They may be designated by [[government]] institutions in some countries, or by private landowners, such as charities and research [[institution]]s. Nature reserves fall into different [[IUCN protected area categories|IUCN categories]] depending on the level of protection afforded by local laws. Normally it is more strictly protected than a [[nature park]]. Various jurisdictions may use other terminology, such as '''ecological protection area''' or [[private protected area]] in legislation and in official titles of the reserves.

== History ==
[[File: Charles Waterton.jpg|thumb|upright|[[Charles Waterton]] established the first nature reserve in 1821.]]
Cultural practices that roughly equate to the establishment and maintenance of reserved areas for animals date back to antiquity, with King [[Devanampiya Tissa]] of [[Sri Lanka]] establishing [[Mihintale]] wildlife sanctuary, one of the world's earliest [[wildlife sanctuary|wildlife sanctuaries]], in the 3rd-century-BC Anuradhapura Ancient Kingdom.<ref name="Surveyor Department">{{cite book | title=The National Atlas of Sri Lanka|publisher=[[Department of Survey (Sri Lanka)|Department of Survey]]| date=2007| edition=2nd| page=86| isbn=978-955-9059-04-2}}</ref> Early reservations often had a religious underpinning, such as the 'evil forest' areas of West Africa which were forbidden to humans, who were threatened with spiritual attack if they went there. Sacred areas taboo from human entry to fishing and hunting are known by many ancient cultures worldwide.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.slwcs.org/ | title=Sri Lanka Wildlife Conservation Society (SLWCS) | access-date=27 October 2011 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111028072315/http://www.slwcs.org/ | archive-date=28 October 2011 | url-status=live }}</ref>

The world's first modern nature reserve was established in 1821 by the [[naturalist]] and [[explorer]] [[Charles Waterton]] around his estate in [[Walton Hall, West Yorkshire]]. He spent £9000 on the construction of a three-mile long, 9&nbsp;ft tall wall to enclose his park against [[Poaching|poacher]]s.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.watertonparkhotel.co.uk/OurHotel/History.aspx| title=Walton Hall history| access-date=17 December 2012| url-status=dead| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100820082727/http://www.watertonparkhotel.co.uk/OurHotel/History.aspx| archive-date=20 August 2010| df=dmy-all}}</ref> He tried to encourage bird life by planting trees and hollowing out trunks for [[owl]]s to nest in.

[[File:Drachenfels (Siebengebirge) from Rhöndorf.jpg|thumb|[[Drachenfels (Siebengebirge)]]|left]]
Waterton invented artificial [[nest box]]es to house [[Common starling|starlings]], [[western jackdaw]]s and [[sand martin]]s; and unsuccessfully attempted to introduce [[little owl]]s from Italy.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wakefield.gov.uk/CultureAndLeisure/HistoricWakefield/People/CharlesWaterton/default.htm| title=Charles Waterton (1782–1865)| access-date=29 June 2014| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131217041237/http://www.wakefield.gov.uk/CultureAndLeisure/HistoricWakefield/People/CharlesWaterton/default.htm |archive-date=17 December 2013}}</ref> Waterton allowed local people access to his reserve and was described by [[David Attenborough]] as "one of the first people anywhere to recognise not only that the natural world was of great importance but that it needed protection as humanity made more and more demands on it".<ref>{{cite web |author=Wakefield Express |url=http://www.wakefieldexpress.co.uk/news/local/more-wakefield-news/sir-david-attenborough-will-open-city-centre-s-new-museum-1-5439242 |title=Sir David Attenborough will open city centre's new museum |date=23 February 2013 |access-date=24 August 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130226001558/http://www.wakefieldexpress.co.uk/news/local/more-wakefield-news/sir-david-attenborough-will-open-city-centre-s-new-museum-1-5439242 |archive-date=26 February 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

[[Drachenfels (Siebengebirge)|Drachenfels]] was protected as the first state-designated nature reserve in modern-day Germany; the site was bought by the [[Prussia]]n State in 1836 to protect it from further quarrying.

The first major nature reserve was [[Yellowstone National Park]] in [[Wyoming, United States]], followed by the [[Royal National Park]] near [[Sydney]], Australia, and the [[Barguzin Nature Reserve]] of [[Imperial Russia]], the first of ''[[zapovednik]]s'' set up by a federal government entirely for the scientific study of nature.<ref name="weiner">{{cite book |title=Models of Nature: Ecology, Conservation, and Cultural Revolution in Soviet Russia |last=Weiner |first=Douglas R. |year=1988 |publisher=University of Pittsburgh Press |isbn=978-0-8229-5733-1 |page=29 }}</ref>

== Around the world ==
[[File:Häme Tower on Aulanko Hill 04.jpg|thumb|A forest of the Aulanko Reserve<ref>[https://www.nationalparks.fi/aulanko/directions Directions to Aulanko] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210829053954/https://www.nationalparks.fi/aulanko/directions |date=29 August 2021 }} - Nationalparks.fi</ref> in [[Hämeenlinna]], [[Tavastia Proper]], Finland]]
There are several national and international organizations that oversee the numerous non-profit [[animal sanctuary|animal sanctuaries]] and refuges to provide a general system for sanctuaries to follow. Among them, the [[American Sanctuary Association]] monitors and aids in various facilities to care for exotic wildlife.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.yellowstonewildlifesanctuary.org/accreditation|title=Accreditation|website=Yellowstone Wildlife Sanctuary|language=en-US|access-date=2020-02-26|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191208050204/https://www.yellowstonewildlifesanctuary.org/accreditation|archive-date=8 December 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> The number of sanctuaries has substantially increased over the past few years.{{citation needed|date=May 2019}}

=== Australia ===
{{See also|Nature reserve (Australia)}}
In [[Australia]], a nature reserve is the title of a type of [[protected area]] used in the jurisdictions of the [[Australian Capital Territory]], [[New South Wales]], [[Tasmania]] and [[Western Australia]]. The term "nature reserve" is defined in the relevant [[statute]]s used in those states and territories rather than by a single national statute. As of 2016, 1767 out of a total of 11044 protected areas listed within the Australian [[National Reserve System]] used the term "nature reserve" in their names.<ref name=CAPAD2014-National>{{cite web|title=Terrestrial Protected Areas in Australia by Type (2014)|url=http://www.environment.gov.au/system/files/pages/d00ca066-1c8c-412a-9e16-2a37647454a7/files/capad2014national.xlsx|work=CAPAD 2014|publisher=Australian Government – Department of the Environment|access-date=15 September 2015|date=2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150507175825/http://environment.gov.au/system/files/pages/d00ca066-1c8c-412a-9e16-2a37647454a7/files/capad2014national.xlsx|archive-date=7 May 2015|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Brazil ===
In Brazil, nature reserves are classified by the [[National System of Nature Conservation Units]] as [[Ecological station (Brazil)|ecological stations]] ({{langx|pt|estações ecológicas}}) or [[biological reserve (Brazil)|biological reserves]] ({{langx|pt|reservas biológicas}}). Their main objectives are preserving fauna and flora and other natural attributes, excluding direct human interference. Visits are allowed only with permission, and only for educational or scientific purposes. Changes to the ecosystems in both types of reserve are allowed to restore and preserve the natural balance, biological diversity and natural ecological processes.<ref name=ICMBio>{{citation|url=http://www.icmbio.gov.br/portal/unidadesdeconservacao/categorias|language=pt|title=Categorias|publisher=[[ICMBio]]|access-date=16 July 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160713092433/http://www.icmbio.gov.br/portal/unidadesdeconservacao/categorias|archive-date=13 July 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> Ecological stations are also allowed to change the environment within strictly defined limits (e.g. affecting no more than three percent of the area or {{convert|1500|ha}}, whichever is less) for the purpose of scientific research.<ref>{{citation|ref={{harvid|Ecological Station – ISA}}|title=Ecological Station|publisher=ISA: Instituto Socioambiental|url=http://uc.socioambiental.org/en/prote%C3%A7%C3%A3o-integral/ecological-station/|access-date=30 April 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181023080037/https://uc.socioambiental.org/en/prote%C3%A7%C3%A3o-integral/ecological-station/|archive-date=23 October 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref>
A [[Wildlife reserve (Brazil)|wildlife reserve in Brazil]] is also protected, and hunting is not allowed, but products and by-products from research may be sold.<ref name=ICMBio/>

Wildlife refuges in Brazil have as their objective the protection of natural flora and fauna where conditions are assured for the existence and reproduction of species or communities of the local flora and the resident or migratory fauna. The refuges can consist of privately owned land, as long as the objectives of the unit are compatible with the landowners' usage of the land and natural resources. Public visits are subject to the conditions and restrictions established by the management plan of the unit and are subject to authorisation by and regulations of the main administrative and scientific research body.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://uc.socioambiental.org/sites/uc.socioambiental.org/files/snuc_sistema%20nacional%20de%20unidades%20de%20conservacao.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130330014401/http://uc.socioambiental.org/sites/uc.socioambiental.org/files/snuc_sistema%20nacional%20de%20unidades%20de%20conservacao.pdf|url-status=dead|title=Brazil 2000. Federal Law Nº 9.985 of 07/18/2000. Regulates article 225 of the Federal Constitution and institutes the National System of Units of Conservation and other provisions|archive-date=30 March 2013|access-date=15 March 2020}}</ref>

=== Canada ===
The Niagara Escarpment and the St. Lawrence River in Ontario are among the 18 nature reserves recognized by UNESCO in Canada.

As a federal government, Canada recognizes 55 National Wildlife Areas, containing species of ecological significance. This area is protected by legislation known as the Canada Wildlife Act, which is overseen by the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change. About half of the habitat is marine habitat, and the remainder is terrestrial habitat.

Nature Conservancy Canada, Ducks Unlimited, and Escarpment Biosphere Conservancy, among others, protect nature reserves in Canada as well. As part of Canada's Ecological Gifts Program, these charities protect wilderness on privately owned lands.

=== Egypt ===
There are 30 nature reserves in [[Egypt]] which cover 12% of Egyptian land. Those nature reserves were built according to the laws no. 102/1983 and 4/1994 for protection of the Egyptian nature reserve. Egypt announced a plan from to build 40 nature reserves from 1997 to 2017, to help protect the natural resources and the culture and history of those areas. The largest nature reserve in Egypt is [[Gebel Elba]] ({{convert|35600|km2}}) in the southeast, on the [[Red Sea]] coast.

=== Eritrea === 
On 16 March 1959, the British established the [[Yob Wildlife Reserve]] in northern Eritrea specifically to protect significant populations of [[Nubian ibex]] in the area.{{citation needed|date=April 2023}}

=== Europe ===
[[File:Golyamata-Gramada.jpg|thumb|A bridged [[Stone run|stone river]] in [[Bistrishko Branishte]], an early Bulgarian nature reserve established in 1934]]

==== Denmark ====
Denmark has [[List of national parks of Denmark|three national park]]s and several nature reserves, some of them inside the national park areas. The largest single reserve is Hanstholm Nature Reserve, which covers {{convert|40|km2|acre|abbr=on}} and is part of [[Thy National Park]].

==== Sweden ====
In [[Sweden]], there are [[List of national parks of Sweden|30 national parks]]. The first of them was established in 1909.<ref>[https://www.sverigesnationalparker.se/en/national-park-facts/ "Sveriges nationalparker"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210510173045/https://www.sverigesnationalparker.se/en/national-park-facts/|date=10 May 2021}}, Retrieved 16 July 2021</ref> There are almost 4,000 nature reserves in Sweden. They comprise about 85% of the surface that is protected by the Swedish Environmental Code.<ref>[https://www.sverigesnationalparker.se/en/national-park-facts/protected-nature-in-sweden/ "Sveriges nationalparker"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160604000403/https://www.sverigesnationalparker.se/en/national-park-facts/protected-nature-in-sweden/ |date=4 June 2016 }}, Retrieved 14 May 2016</ref>

==== Estonia ====
[[File:Tarvasjõgi.jpg|thumb|The [[Tarvasjõgi|Tarvasjõgi river]] at [[Põhja-Kõrvemaa Nature Reserve]] in [[Estonia]]]]

In Estonia, there are [[List of national parks of Estonia|five national parks]], more than 100 nature reserves, and around 130 landscape protection areas. The largest nature reserve in Estonia is [[Alam-Pedja Nature Reserve]], which covers {{convert|342|km2|acre|abbr=on}}.

==== France ====
As of 2017, [[France]] counts [[List of national parks of France|10 national parks]], around 50 [[Regional nature parks of France|regional nature parks]], and 8 [[marine parks]].

==== Germany ====
In 1995 [[Germany]] had 5,314 nature reserves ({{langx|de|[[Naturschutzgebiete]]}}) covering {{convert|6845|km2|abbr=on}}, the largest total areas being in Bavaria with {{convert|1416|km2|abbr=on}} and Lower Saxony with {{convert|1275|km2|abbr=on}}.

==== Hungary ====
[[File:Termeszetvedelmi terulet.JPG|thumb|Nature reserve near [[Budapest]], next to [[Lake Naplás]]]]

In Hungary, there are [[List of national parks of Hungary|10 national parks]], more than 15 nature reserves and more than 250 protected areas.
[[Hortobágy National Park]] is the largest continuous natural grassland in Europe and the oldest national park in Hungary. It is situated on the eastern part of Hungary, on the plain of the Alföld. It was established in 1972. There are alkaline grasslands interrupted by marshes. They have a sizable importance because there are the fishponds. One of the most spectacular sights of the park is the autumn migration of cranes. Some famous Hungarian animal species live in Hortobágy National Park, such as the grey cattle, racka long-wool sheep living only in Hungary, Hungarian horses and buffalo. Hortobágy National Park has been a UNESCO [[World Heritage Site]] since 1 December 1999.

==== Kosovo ====
{{Main|Protected areas of Kosovo}}
In Kosovo, there are 2 [[national park]]s, 11 nature reserves, 99 [[natural monument]]s and 3 [[protected landscape]]s.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Veselaj |first=Zeqir |last2=Mustafa |first2=Behxhet |date=2015-12-28 |title=Overview of Nature Protection Progress in Kosovo |url=https://landscape-online.org/index.php/lo/article/view/LO.201545 |journal=Landscape Online |volume=45 |pages=1–10 |doi=10.3097/LO.201545 |issn=1865-1542}}</ref> The national parks are [[Bjeshkët e Nemuna National Park]] and [[Sharr Mountains National Park]].
[[File:Parku Kombëtar Bjeshkët Nemuna, Liqeni i madh ne Liqenat, Rugove.jpg|thumb|[[Bjeshkët e Nemuna National Park]], one of two national parks in Kosovo]]

==== Poland ====
{{Main|Nature reserves in Poland}}
[[File:Szczeliniec Wielki 2007.jpg|thumb|Path on [[Szczeliniec Wielki]], a famous nature reserve in the [[Stołowe Mountains]] in SW Poland]]

As of 2011, Poland has 1469 nature reserves.<ref name=os2012-277>{{cite journal | editor =Dariusz Bochenek | title =Ochrona środowiska 2012 | journal =Ochrona Środowiska |url=http://www.stat.gov.pl/cps/rde/xbcr/gus/se_ochrona_srodowiska_2012.pdf | page =277 | publisher =Główny Urząd Statystyczny | location =Warszawa | issn =0867-3217 | access-date =29 December 2012 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131020172416/http://stat.gov.pl/cps/rde/xbcr/gus/se_ochrona_srodowiska_2012.pdf | archive-date =20 October 2013 | url-status =live }}</ref>

==== Portugal ====
{{Main|Protected areas of Portugal}}
Nature reserves are one of the 11 types of protected areas in Portugal. As of 2012, Portugal had a total of 46 protected areas, which represented {{convert|6807.89|km2|abbr=on}} of land and {{convert|463.94|km2|abbr=on}} of marine surfaces. Among the protected areas, nine are classified as nature reserve ({{langx|pt|reserva natural}}).<ref>List of Protected areas in Mainland Portugal, Portuguese Forest and Nature Conservation Institute: {{cite web |url-status=dead |url=http://www.icnf.pt/portal/ap |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161104221419/http://www.icnf.pt/portal/ap |archive-date=4 November 2016 |title=Áreas Protegidas |website=INCF }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title =Áreas protegidas e Rede Natura ocupavam quase um quarto de Portugal continental em 2010 |date=12 January 2012 |website=PÚBLICO  |url=https://www.publico.pt/sociedade/noticia/areas-protegidas-e-rede-natura-ocupavam-quase-um-quarto-de-portugal-continental-em-2010-1528729 | access-date =1 November 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161104022015/https://www.publico.pt/sociedade/noticia/areas-protegidas-e-rede-natura-ocupavam-quase-um-quarto-de-portugal-continental-em-2010-1528729 | archive-date =4 November 2016 | url-status =live }}</ref>

==== Romania ====
{{Main|Protected areas of Romania}}
About 5.18% of the area of Romania has a protected status ({{convert|12360|km2|abbr=on}}), including the [[Danube Delta]], which makes up half of this area (2.43% of Romania's total area).

==== Spain ====
{{See also|List of national parks of Spain}}

There are 15 National Parks, and around 90 Natural Parks in Spain. Spain is the country with the most sites listed in the [[World Network of Biosphere Reserves]].

==== Ukraine ====
There are 4 biosphere reserves (two of them are dated 1927 and 1874) and 17 nature reserves in Ukraine, covering {{convert|160000|ha|abbr=on}}. Ukraine administers [[List of national parks of Ukraine|40 national parks]], 2632 habitat management areas, 3025 nature monuments, and 1430 other preservations.

==== United Kingdom ====
There are some differences between the regulations for [[England]], [[Northern Ireland]], [[Scotland]] and [[Wales]], which are separately managed.

At the end of March 2004, there were 215 [[national nature reserves in England]] with a total area of {{convert|879|km2|abbr=on}}. The reserves are scattered through England, from [[Lindisfarne]] in [[Northumberland]] to [[The Lizard]] in [[Cornwall]]. Nearly every rural county has at least one. Many national nature reserves contain nationally important populations of rare [[flower]]s, [[fern]]s and [[moss]]es, [[butterflies]] and other [[insect]]s, and nesting and wintering [[bird]]s. Examples include unique [[alpine plant]]s at [[Upper Teesdale]] and the field of [[Fritillaria meleagris|snake's head fritillaries]] at [[North Meadow, Cricklade]], [[Wiltshire]].

There are now over 1,050 [[local nature reserve]]s in England. They range from windswept coastal headlands, ancient woodlands and flower-rich meadows to former inner-city railways, long-abandoned landfill sites and industrial areas now re-colonized by wildlife. In total, they cover almost {{convert|40000|ha|abbr=on}}—a natural resource which makes an important contribution to England's [[biodiversity]]. A good example is [[Rye Harbour SSSI|Rye Harbour Nature Reserve]] in East Sussex, where a network of footpaths enables visitors to explore shingle, saltmarsh, saline lagoon, reedbed, and grazing marsh habitats.

Through the Natural Heritage (Scotland) Act 1991 the Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) was established in 1992 as a government body, responsible to the Scottish Government Ministers and through them to the Scottish Parliament. At 31 March 2008, there were 65 [[national nature reserve (Scotland)|Scottish national nature reserves]] with a total area of approximately {{convert|1330|km2|abbr=on}}. Section 21 of the [[National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949]] gives local authorities the exclusive statutory power to establish a [[List of local nature reserves in Scotland|local nature reserve]] in consultation with the SNH.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.snh.org.uk |title=Scottish National Heritage (SNH) |access-date=27 October 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100318034727/http://www.snh.org.uk/ |archive-date=18 March 2010 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

=== Iran===
[[File:Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad Province, Iran - panoramio.jpg|thumb|[[Dena]], a biosphere reserve in Iran]]
{{Main|Biosphere reserves of Iran}}
The biosphere reserves of Iran have a total land area of 1.64&nbsp;million km<sup>2</sup>. The "reserves" support more than 8,000 recorded species of plants (almost 2,421 are [[Endemism|endemic]]), 502 species of [[bird]]s, 164 species of [[mammal]]s, 209 species of [[reptile]]s, and 375 species of [[Butterfly|butterflies]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Islamic Republic of Iran |url=http://www.unesco.org/new/en/natural-sciences/environment/ecological-sciences/biosphere-reserves/asia-and-the-pacific/islamic-republic-of-iran/ |date=June 2015 |access-date=2020-12-19|website=United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization |url-status=dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20210507153933/http://www.unesco.org/new/en/natural-sciences/environment/ecological-sciences/biosphere-reserves/asia-and-the-pacific/islamic-republic-of-iran/ |archive-date= May 7, 2021 }}</ref>

=== India ===
{{Main|Biosphere reserves of India}}
[[India]]'s 18 biospheres extend over a total of {{convert|85940|km2|abbr=on}} and protect larger areas than typical national parks in other countries. The first national reserve of India was established in 1986.

=== Israel ===
{{Main|Nature reserves of Israel}}
[[Israel]]'s national parks are declared historic sites or nature reserves, which are mostly operated and maintained by the National Nature and Parks Authority. As of 2019, Israel maintains more than 490 nature reserves that protect 2,500 species of indigenous wild plants, 20 species of fish, 530 species of birds and 70 species of mammals. In total, they cover {{convert|6400|km2|abbr=on}} of nature reserves, approximately 28% of the country's land area. In 1984, the two areas with the highest number of nature reserves were the South (15.2%) and [[Samaria]] (the Shomron, 13.5%).<ref>{{cite book|last=Hareuveni|first=Imanuel|script-title=he:קום התהלך בארץ: מדריך שמורות טבע בישראל|year=1985|publisher=[[Israel Ministry of Defense]]|location=[[Israel]]|isbn=965-05-0193-2|edition=2nd|page=482|language=he|trans-title=Nature Reserves in Israel|quote=חוק גנים לאומיים ושמורות טבע תשכ"ג – 1963. 'שמורת טבע' – שטח שבו נשמרים חי, צומח, קרקע, מערות או מים, שיש בהם ענין של מדע או של חנוך, מפני שינויים בלתי רצויים במראם, בהרכבם הביאולוגי או במהלך התפתחותם, וששר הפנים, לפי הצעת שר החקלאות או לאחר התיעצות אתו, הכריז עליו ברשומות שהוא שמורת טבע.}}</ref>

=== Japan ===
Under the Nature Conservation Law, places can be designated as 'wilderness areas', 'nature conservation areas' and 'prefectural nature conservation areas'. In 1995, when the Japanese Government published its information in English, there were 5 wilderness areas, 10 nature conservation areas and 516 prefectural nature conservation areas.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.env.go.jp/en/nature/npr/ncj/section4.html | title=Nature Conservation in Japan | date=31 March 1995 | access-date=24 September 2012 | publisher=Ministry of the Environment, Government of Japan | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130130182935/http://www.env.go.jp/en/nature/npr/ncj/section4.html | archive-date=30 January 2013 | url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Jordan ===
{{Main|Nature reserves in Jordan}}

There are seven nature reserves in [[Jordan]]. In 1966 the organization that would later start Jordan's nature reserves, the [[Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature]], was founded. RSCN's first efforts involved bringing back severely endangered species. In 1973, RSCN was given the right to issue hunting licenses, giving RSCN an upper hand in preventing extinction. The first step was the founding of Jordan's first nature reserve, [[Shaumari Wildlife Reserve]], in 1975. The primary purpose was to create means to breed endangered species, specifically: the [[Arabian oryx]], [[gazelles]], [[ostriches]], and [[Persian onager]]s in their natural environment.

=== Kyrgyzstan ===
By the end of 2009 there were 10 nature reserves ({{langx|ky|корук}}, {{lang|ky-Latn|koruk}}) in Kyrgyzstan covering {{convert|600000|ha|km2}} or about three percent of the total area of the country.

=== New Zealand ===
{{Main|Protected areas of New Zealand}}
[[File: Tramping or hiking in Aoraki Mount Cook National Park..jpg|thumb|[[Aoraki / Mount Cook National Park]] in New Zealand]]
New Zealand has a variety of types of reserve, including [[National parks of New Zealand|national parks]], various types of conservation areas (including stewardship land that is yet to be officially classified), and seven specific types of "reserve", each of which prioritize various degrees of [[Environmental protection|protection]] to different amenities such as scenery, recreation, flora and fauna, scientific value, or history. Land is often sub-categorised beneath its general classification, as defined in law between the ''[[Reserves Act 1977|Reserves Act of 1977]]'', the ''[[National Parks Act 1980 (New Zealand)|National Parks Act of 1980]]'', and the ''[[Conservation Act 1987|Conservation Act of 1987]]''. Under these classifications, the [[New Zealand Department of Conservation|Department of Conservation]] administers more than {{convert|80000|km2}}—nearly 30% of the nation's total area—with at least some degree of protection. This land is composed of 14 National Parks, 30 Conservation Parks, and approximately 8,900 discrete areas of land in total.

Although the most public land is strongly protected for natural preservation, the term ''nature reserve'' is specifically defined in the Reserves Act to mean a reserve that prioritizes the protection of rare flora and fauna, to the extent that public access is by permit only. Some of these reserves include [[Ecological Island]]s, a comparatively new concept in wildlife preservation, pioneered in New Zealand to help rebuild the populations of nearly extinct birds, and other species that are heavily threatened by introduced predators.

=== Nicaragua ===
[[File:PenasBlancas, part of the Bosawas Reserve, Jinotega Department, Nicaragua.jpg|thumb|upright=1.0| Peñas Blancas, part of the [[Bosawás Biosphere Reserve]] is the second largest rainforest in the Western Hemisphere, after the Amazonian Rainforest in Brazil. Located northeast of the city of [[Jinotega]] in Northeastern Nicaragua.]]

In [[Nicaragua]], the [[Ministry of the Environment and Natural Resources]] (MARENA) is in charge of environmental protection and of the study, planning, and management of Nicaragua's natural resources. Nearly one-fifth of the territory is designated as protected areas like national parks, nature reserves (including the [[Bosawás Biosphere Reserve]]), and biological reserves. Nicaragua has [[Protected areas of Nicaragua|78 protected areas]] that cover {{convert|22422|km2|abbr=on}}, about 17.3% of the nation's landmass. Private nature reserves exist with land excluded from private land trusts and maintained at the sole cost of the proprietor. For example, O Parks, WildLife, and Recreation, Or [[El Ostional]] Private Wildlife Reserve, was established within the [[Mesoamerican Biological Corridor]] by retired [[FDNY]] firefighter Kevin Michael Shea, who purchased {{convert|46|acre|km2}} of land for the purpose of restoring the ecological system of a [[dry tropical forest]], ravaged during the [[Nicaraguan Revolution]]. The [[park]] provides a private nature reserve, [[wildlife corridor]] and verified [[carbon credits]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://opwr.org|title=O Parks, WildLife, and Recreation|access-date=17 October 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141218053551/http://opwr.org/|archive-date=18 December 2014|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Russia ===
{{Main|Zapovednik}}
[[File:Лес вокруг г.Ямантау.jpg|thumb|[[South Ural Nature Reserve]] in Russia]]
There are around 100 nature reserves ({{langx|ru|заповедник|translit=zapovednik}}) in Russia, covering some {{convert|330000|km2|abbr=on}}, or about 1.4% of the country's total area. A few of them predate the [[October Revolution]] of 1917, but most have been created during the [[Soviet Union]] era. There are also natural protected areas where only certain species are protected, or only certain activities are prohibited; those are known as ''zakaznik'' ({{langx|ru|заказник|links=no}}).

Unofficial sanctuaries can also occur as a result of human accidents; the [[Chernobyl Exclusion Zone]] has in practice become a wildlife refuge since very few people live in the area. Wildlife has flourished in the zone since the Chernobyl nuclear accident in 1986.<ref name="BBCChern">{{cite news |last1=Mulvey |first1=Stephen |date=20 April 2006 |title=Wildlife defies Chernobyl radiation |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/4923342.stm |url-status=live |work=BBC News |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171105054818/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/4923342.stm |archive-date=5 November 2017 |access-date=13 December 2017}}</ref>

=== South Africa ===
{{Multiple image
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| image1            = Hills and valleys (207920050).jpg
| caption1          = Matjulu waterhole near [[Berg-en-Dal Camp|Berg-en-dal]] in the Kruger National Park
| image2            = Clarens_Drive_-_Cape_Whale_Coast_-_Western_Cape.jpg
| caption2          = With ≈9000 plant species found in ≈78km², the [[Cape Floristic Region]] has a concentration of plants that is greater than anywhere else on earth.
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}}
{{Main|South African National Parks|List of protected areas of South Africa}}

South Africa is well known for its many nature reserves. The oldest nature reserve in the country (and oldest conservation area in the world) is the [[Groenkloof Nature Reserve]] that was established in 1892 in the capital city [[Pretoria]] in the old [[South African Republic]] and current Republic of South Africa.

The country has many national parks but the best-known is the [[Kruger National Park]], which was announced in 1898, and is the largest, at nearly {{convert|2000000|ha|km2|abbr=on}}. The Kruger Park and [[Table Mountain National Park]] are two of South Africa's most visited tourist attractions, along with the [[Addo Elephant National Park]].

South Africa also has 10 [[List of World Heritage Sites in South Africa|World Heritage Sites]], including four natural sites and one mixed site. And it has provincial [[game reserve]]s including [[Shamwari Game Reserve|Shamwari]], [[Londolozi Private Game Reserve|Londolozi]], Sanbona and Lalibela. The country currently has 20 national parks covering {{convert|3700000|ha|km2|abbr=on}}, about 3% of the total area of South Africa.

The [[Prince Edward Islands]], which are South African territories in the [[Southern Ocean]], have been declared a special nature reserve. It is a highly protected area from which all human activity is excluded, except for conservation and scientific research.

===Sri Lanka===
The area around [[Mihintale]], [[Sri Lanka]], was a sanctuary for wildlife,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.lankalibrary.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?p=3609 |title=Mihintale – The first sanctuary in the world |website=LankaLibrary Forum |author=LankaLibrary |date=11 June 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110607033034/http://www.lankalibrary.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?p=3609 |archive-date=7 June 2011 |url-status=live |access-date=10 August 2011}}</ref> probably the first of its generation in the ancient world. According to stone inscriptions found in the vicinity, the king commanded the people not to harm animals or destroy trees within the area.

=== United States ===
[[File:USFWS cascade head (23768226491).jpg|right|thumb|[[Cascade Head]], [[Oregon]], United States, is a [[Man and the Biosphere Programme|UNESCO biosphere reserve]].]]

In the United States, the [[United States Fish and Wildlife Service|U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service]], managed by the [[United States Secretary of the Interior|Secretary of the Interior]], is responsible for managing many of the federal nature reserves including the [[National Wildlife Refuge|National Wildlife Refuge System]]. The National Wildlife Refuge System includes areas administered for the protection and conservation of fish and wildlife that are threatened with extinction, as well as wildlife ranges, game ranges, wildlife management areas, and waterfowl production areas.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fws.gov/mountain-prairie/planning/glossary/index.html#R |title=Glossary|publisher=U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services, Division of Refuge Planning, Mountain-Prairie Region|website=www.fws.gov |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170411054925/https://www.fws.gov/mountain-prairie/planning/glossary/index.html#R |archive-date=11 April 2017 |url-status=live |access-date=10 April 2017}}</ref>

The first North American wildlife refuge, Lake Merritt Wildlife sanctuary at [[Lake Merritt]], was established by [[Samuel Merritt]] and enacted in California state law in 1870 as the first government owned refuge.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www2.oaklandnet.com/Government/o/opr/s/Parks/OAK032395|title=Lake Merritt – Wildlife Sanctuary|website=City of Oakland|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120426203029/http://www2.oaklandnet.com/Government/o/opr/s/Parks/OAK032395|archive-date=26 April 2012|url-status=live|access-date=22 December 2011}}</ref> The first federally owned refuge in the United States is [[Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge]] and was established by [[Theodore Roosevelt]] in 1903 as part of his [[Square Deal]] campaign to improve the country. At the time, setting aside land for wildlife was not a [[United States Constitution|constitutional]] right of the president. In 2006, a bi-partisan group of [[US House of Representatives]] members established the [[Congressional Wildlife Refuge Caucus]] to further support the needs of the National Wildlife Refuge System in [[US Congress|Congress]].

There are also state-level administered State Nature Reserves found throughout the country, as well as smaller reserves operated by local governments, private trusts, or even funded through public donations. Private nature reserves also exist, with land excluded from private land trusts and maintained at the sole cost of the proprietor, such as the {{convert|1800|acre}} [[Wilbur Hot Springs]].

== See also ==
* {{annotated link|Forest of Fontainebleau}}
* ''{{annotated link|Half-Earth}}'', a proposal to increase global coverage
* {{annotated link|National Wildlife Refuge Association}}
* {{annotated link|Nature park}}
* {{annotated link|Protection forest}}
* {{annotated link|Refuge (ecology)}}
* {{annotated link|Wildlife corridor}}
* {{annotated link|Zoo}}

== References ==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==
{{Commons category|Nature reserves}}{{Natural resources}}
{{Portal bar|Animals|Biology|Ecology|Environment|Plants|Trees|Water}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Nature reserves| ]]
[[Category:Land use]]
[[Category:Protected areas]]
[[Category:Regional parks]]
[[Category:Types of formally designated forests]]
[[Category:Wildlife sanctuaries]]