OpenStreetMap — `boundary=protected_area`, `leisure=nature_reserve` Realisation of Nature Protection Areas

Leaf: Nature Protection Areas Dataset: OpenStreetMap — boundary=protected_area, leisure=nature_reserve

OSM maps protected areas globally. Coverage is linked to WDPA (World Database of Protected Areas) imports in many countries.

osmnx access

import osmnx as ox
ox.settings.cache_folder = ".cache/"
 
# Protected areas
protected = ox.features_from_place(
    "Denmark",
    tags={"boundary": "protected_area"}
)
 
# Nature reserves
reserves = ox.features_from_place(
    "Denmark",
    tags={"leisure": "nature_reserve"}
)

Overpass (fallback)

[out:json][timeout:120];
area["name"="Denmark"]["admin_level"="2"]->.dk;
(
  relation["boundary"="protected_area"](area.dk);
  way["boundary"="protected_area"](area.dk);
  relation["leisure"="nature_reserve"](area.dk);
);
out body; >; out skel qt;

Key OSM tags

Tag	Meaning
boundary=protected_area	Designated protected area of any type
protect_class=*	IUCN protection category (1a, 1b, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
protection_title=*	Official designation name (e.g. “National Park”, “Nature Reserve”)
leisure=nature_reserve	Nature reserve
name=*	Official name
ref:WDPA=*	WDPA (World Database of Protected Areas) identifier