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The role of the large provincial park system in British Columbia (B.C.) in protecting grizzly bear (Ursus arctos) populations, range and ecological variation was examined in a provincial, national and international context. Varying degrees of protection of grizzly bears are provided by the 53 larger parks over 1,000 ha each and 89 smaller parks under 1,000 ha each. Trophy hunting is still allowed in 20 parks. Grizzly bears are extirpated in 12 larger parks and severely reduced in another 7. These 19 parks represent about 10% of the total range of 4,402,600 ha protected by provincial parks. B.C. parks support about 6% of the provincial grizzly population, contribute 5.6% of grizzly range, and represent about 1/3 of the 45 distinct landscapes in grizzly range, thus protecting ecological diversity. Nationally, B.C. provincial parks contribute about 27.5% of the total area of Canada's protected grizzly range and about 39% of the protected population. Internationally, B.C. provincial parks preserve grizzly bears in 2 unique global biogeographical provinces and contribute to 2 important Canadian-U.S. protected grizzly regions. Preliminary minimum viable population analysis showed that no B.C. provincial park is large enough to support the number of grizzly bears (393) considered necessary for long-term survival of genetic in-breeding and catastrophes should park populations become further isolated. Preservation of B.C.'s valuable grizzly bear resource therefore depends on sound management of large ecological systems that include large cores of protected wilderness and adjoining multiple-use lands. A comprehensive management program is recommended.