Territorial parks

Tombstone Territorial Park

CPAWS Yukon was involved in the public campaign to establish Tombstone Territorial Park in support of the Tr’ondeck Hwech’in final agreement and it was active in the public process to draft a management plan with a focus on preserving the ecological integrity of the region. That vision is now enshrined in the plan, which was finalized and released in 2009.

Oil and gas, mineral exploration and potential mining development along the Dempster Highway corridor has the potential to impact Tombstone Territorial Park, which straddles the so-called Road to Resources.

As well, exploration and development along the fringes of the park could impact its ecological integrity and its cultural values.

What We’re Doing

CPAWS will continue to advocate for sound planning, responsible development and proper oversight and regulation of all users of the land in the vicinity of the park.

Nii’inlii Njik Territorial Park (Fishing Branch)

Year round open water, salmon runs, an astoundingly rich grizzly population and unusual limestone caves marks this 5,400-square-kilometre territorial park in the northern Yukon.

CPAWS provided public support to the Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation’s effort to protect this important region. We led the public campaign to phase out mining claims in the region and introduced the First Nation to the Nature Conservancy, which worked with the aboriginal government and the mining company to buy outstanding claims in the region.

Located halfway between Dawson City and Old Crow, the remote park protects a portion of the North Ogilvie Mountains ecoregion.

It was formally established in December, 1999.

There is always the possibility of exploration or industrial access roads being proposed for the wilderness preserve. This could undermine the ecological and cultural values that provoked the creation of the park.

What We’re Doing

CPAWS will continue to push for sound planning, responsible development and proper oversight and regulation of all users of the land in the vicinity of territorial parks like Nii’inlii Njik Territorial Park.

Wolf Lake and Nisutlin River Ecosystem

A cradle of boreal life in the southern Yukon, this region has been recognized by local First Nations, scientists and Parks Canada for its conservation values.

Wolf Lake and its environs are part of Natural Region 7, an area of national significance that extends from the central Yukon to BC’s Spatzizi Plateau.

Alongside its rich cultural importance to First Nations, the boreal region supports moose, woodland caribou, bird habitat and the headwaters of the longest salmon spawning run in the world.

A land-use planning process was started in the area, but fell apart in 2004. Future industrial development in the absence of any land-use planning could have a serious impact on this nationally important region.

What We’re Doing

CPAWS Yukon has publicized the importance of this region and has produced a comprehensive atlas of its conservation values. We have worked with the Teslin Tlingit Council and the Kaska on a park proposal and the land-use planning process.

We will push for a comprehensive plan for the region and will monitor development proposals in the region,