Following the recommendations in the National Biodiversity Strategic Action Plan, MAFFS proposed the creation of 15 protected areas, 8 in the terrestrial ecosystems and 7 in the wetlands covering 6.8% (490,659.21hectares) of the land cover (7,200,000hectares).
Currently there are four National Parks, the Outamba-Kilimi, Gola Rainforest, Loma Mountains and Western Area Peninsula National Parks and one Game Sanctuary, the Tiwai Island Game Sanctuary.
Government has approved the creation of a National Protected Area Authority (NPPA) and the setting up of a National Conservation Trust Fund (NCTF) for sustainable management of the Protected Areas.
| NO. | PROTECTED AREA | LEGAL STATUS | IUCN CATEGORY | AREA (HECTARES) | DISTRICT |
| 1. | Outamba-Kilimi National Park and Kuru Hills Complex | National Park (Declared 1995) | National Park | 110,9007,001.21 | Bombali & Kambia |
| 2. | Gola Rainforest National Park | National Park (Declared 2010) | National Park | 75,000 | Kailahun, Kenema & Pujehun |
| 3. | Loma Mountains National Park | National Park (Declared 2013) | National Park | 33,201 | Koinadugu |
| 4. | Western Area Peninsula National Park | National Park (Declared 2013) | National Park | 17,688 | Western Area |
| SUB – TOTAL | 243,790.21 | ||||
| 5. | Kangari Hills Forest Reserves | Non-hunting Forest Reserves 1930 FR, 1973 NHFR | Proposed Habitat / Species Management Area | 21,375.4 | Bo & Tonkolili |
| 6. | Tingi Hills (Sanka Biriwa) | Non-hunting Forest Reserves 1930 FR, 1973 NHFR | Proposed Habitat / Species Management Area | 11,747.6 | Kono |
| 7. | Kambui Hills Forest Reserves | Forest Reserves | Proposed Habitat / Species Management Area | 21,228 | Kenema |
| SUB – TOTAL | 54,351.0 |