Northern landscapes are diverse and are particularly vulnerable to a changing climate. The land, rich in biodiversity, contributes to the high quality of life enjoyed in the Northwest Territories (NWT). Food security and the traditional economy rely on continued biodiversity in the north. A NWT priority Making sure land in the NWT remains healthy into the future is a Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) priority. This includes protection of biodiversity through the establishment and management of protected areas and conservation areas, often referred to as conservation network planning. The GNWT set out its vision for land use and management in Northern Lands Northern Leadership – The GNWT Land Use and Sustainability Framework. Conservation network planning is an integral part of the overall land management regime in the NWT and helps to achieve the priorities of 18 th Legislative Assembly of the NWT. Conservaon Network Planning NWT New Protected Areas Legislaon New NWT legislation for protected areas is being created in partnership with Indigenous governments, which will include shared governance and management and monitoring of protected areas. The new legislation is expected to be tabled in 2019. The GNWT will continue to recognize and respect Aboriginal and treaty rights, including requirements of land, resources and self-government agreements, within the conservation network. Biodiversity means the variety, of plants, animals and other living things in a parcular area. A variety of genecally diverse species interact to form producve interdependent food webs, known as ecosystems. The relavely intact biodiversity of the NWT provides a rare chance to proacvely plan for a healthy future for the land, water, wildlife and people. It is much more efficient and cost effecve to responsibly conserve land now than it is to restore land in the future. Protected Areas Backbone of network, have the highest level of protecon, no industrial development allowed, areas are permanent, and are jointly managed and monitored. Conservation Areas Provide complimentary but less restricve protecon. Do not guarantee management and monitoring. Allow species to move between protected areas. Conservaon Network
Transcript
Northern landscapes are diverse and are particularly vulnerable to a changing climate. The land, rich in biodiversity, contributes to the high quality of life enjoyed in the Northwest Territories (NWT). Food security and the traditional economy rely on continued biodiversity in the north.
A NWT priorityMaking sure land in the NWT remains healthy into the future is a Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) priority. This includes protection of biodiversity through the establishment and management of protected areas and conservation areas, often referred to as conservation network planning. The GNWT set out its vision for land use and management in Northern Lands Northern Leadership – The GNWT Land Use and Sustainability Framework. Conservation network planning is an integral part of the overall land management regime in the NWT and helps to achieve the priorities of 18th Legislative Assembly of the NWT.
Conservation Network Planning NWT
New Protected Areas Legislation
New NWT legislation for protected areas is being created in partnership with Indigenous governments, which will include shared governance and management and monitoring of protected areas.
The new legislation is expected to be tabled in 2019. The GNWT will continue to recognize and respect Aboriginal and treaty rights, including requirements of land, resources and self-government agreements, within the conservation network.
Biodiversity means the variety, of plants, animals and other living things in a particular area. A variety of genetically diverse species interact to form productive interdependent food webs, known as ecosystems. The relatively intact biodiversity of the NWT provides a rare chance to proactively plan for a healthy future for the land, water, wildlife and people. It is much more efficient and cost effective to responsibly conserve land now than it is to restore land in the future.
Protected AreasBackbone of network,
have the highest level of protection, no industrial development allowed, areas are permanent,
and are jointly managed and monitored.
Conservation AreasProvide complimentary
but less restrictive protection. Do not
guarantee management and monitoring. Allow
species to move between protected areas.
Conservation Network
FAQ_Conservation Planning NWT.indd 1 2018-01-23 10:31 AM
Yellowknife
AulavikNational Park
Tuktut NogaitNational Park
Wood BuffaloNational Park
Nahanni National
Park Reserve
Ezǫdzìtì
Banks Island No. 1 MigratoryBird Sanctuary
Kendall Island Migratory Bird Sanctuary
Anderson River Delta Migratory Bird Sanctuary
Banks IslandNo. 2 MigratoryBird Sanctuary
Gwich'in Territorial Park
Hidden LakeTerritorial Park
Pingo Canadian Landmark
Kelly Lake
Sahtu Settlement Area
Inuvialuit Settlement Region
Dehcho Area
Wek'èezhìi Resource Management Area (Tłįcho)
Nunavut
Yukon
B.C. AlbertaSaskatchewan
Great Bear Lake
Great SlaveLake
Amundsen Gulf
Beaufort Sea
Gwich'inSettlement
Area
Saoyú
Thelon WildlifeSanctuary
South Slave Area
ʔehdacho
Nááts’ihch’oh National
Park Reserve
Tarium Niryutait Marine Protected Area
Anuniaqvia Niqiqyuam Marine Protected Area
Ts'ude niline Tu'eyeta
Edéhzhíe
Thaidene NënéProposalDinàgà
Wek’èhodì
Sambaa K'e Ka'a'gee Tu
Ejié Túé Ndáde
Łue Túé Sųlái
Established and Proposed Conservation Network in the Northwest Territories
Note: Only areas > 10 km2 shown on this map
Established and Proposed Marine Protected Areas
150 0 150 30075 km
Map created by Conservation, Assessment and Monitoring Division, Environment and Natural Resources, Government of the NWT, Nov. 15, 2017
Established and Proposed Protected Areas
Established and Proposed Conservation Areas(Conservation zoning in land use plans and conservation under territorial or federal legislation)
Thaidene Nëné Proposed Exclusion Area
Thaidene Nëné Proposed Caribou Area
All Weather Road
Territorial/Provincial Boundary
Draft Dehcho Land Use Plan Boundary
Settled Land Claim Boundary
Established Marine Protected Area
Established Conservation Areas
Proposed Conservation Initiative in Sahtu Land Use Plan
Dehcho interim draft conservation zones
Established Protection
Existing Candidate Areas (Study Area Boundaries)
What is a conservation network?A conservation network includes protected areas and conservation areas of various sizes that collectively contribute to ecological, economic and social stability more effectively than individual sites could alone. A conservation network ensures the landscape is connected and provides corridors and reproductive areas for wildlife, aiding species migration and adaptation. As human-caused disturbances increase, intact areas become even more important.
Why is conservation network planning important?In the NWT, the land and water are lifelines for Indigenous cultures and the wellbeing of all people. Often, the most biologically diverse areas are also the most culturally rich, providing long-term opportunities for the development of a diversified economy through tourism opportunities, important cultural,
recreational and educational activities, and other incomes derived through land-based activities. A conservation network is an effective and equitable way to ensure NWT’s cultures, land and water stay healthy for future generations.
Ecological resilience to climate change depends on the conservation of a wide diversity of habitats across a range of landscapes. Protected areas are considered one of the most effective, efficient and proactive ways to support people and protect land and biodiversity in a changing climate.
Biodiversity maintains Indigenous food systems and supports access to a traditional economy, thereby sustaining Indigenous culture and strengthening social systems within communities. Just as healthy communities can provide strong leadership in response to climate change, protected areas can also support both Indigenous wellbeing and reconciliation commitments to Indigenous peoples.
In the fall of 2016, the GNWT released Healthy Land, Healthy People: GNWT Priorities for Advancement of Conservation Network Planning 2016-2021, which sets out priorities for how the GNWT will move forward over the next five years to make sure land in the NWT remains healthy for future generations in partnership with Indigenous governments and other planning partners.
Healthy Land, Healthy People includes two overarching priorities:
Priority 1: Conclude the planning and decision making processes for the eight existing candidate protected areas
Priority 2: Develop a renewed strategy for conservation network planning in partnership with Indigenous governments and other partners
Moving forward
FAQ_Conservation Planning NWT.indd 2 2018-01-23 10:31 AM
