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Canada expands park: over three times larger than YellowstoneJeremy Hancemongabay.com June 09, 2009
"Nahanni is one of the great natural areas in the world," said Dr. John Weaver. "The previous boundary was too narrow and too small for these big animals, and this expansion will protect critical habitat for these vulnerable wildlife species." Weaver spent five years studying grizzly bears, woodland caribou, and Dall’s sheep in the remote region. The park contains parts of the Dehcho people’s traditional territory. This indigenous group was a vital actor in establishing the park’s expansion. Another 3,000 square miles bordering the new park’s dimensions has been withdrawn from development, because it is being considered for a separate National Park within the Sahtu people’s territory. "This momentous decision by the Canadian government represents a new way of thinking about conservation at larger scales," said Dr. Justina Ray, Executive Director of Wildlife Conservation Society Canada (WCS-Canada). Some recent studies of parks have shown them to be too small to protect full ecosystems and important watersheds. In 2007 WCS-Canada published a report that stated Nahinni Naitonal Park was not large enough to protect the park’s large species. Weaver’s research was essential in reaching the conclusion. The new Nahinni National Park is three-and-a-half times larger than Yellowstone and one of the world’s largest parks. The park contains no roads and no major trails. Related articles Ontario to preserve area of forest the size of Uganda (07/31/2008) The government of Ontario has announced it will preserve 56 million acres of boreal forest from all types of development. The reasons for such a large conservation plan are numerous: preservation of the forest will benefit the world as a massive carbon storehouse; the area is a major source of freshwater; and home to over 200 species, many of which are threatened, such as polar bears, wolverines, and caribou. The area will be open to eco-tourism, but will be closed to mining, logging, and gas exploration. Canada's boreal forest must be saved (05/14/2007) At a conference Monday, 1500 prominent scientists called for protection of Canada's boreal forest, one of the largest intact forest and wetland ecosystems remaining on the planet. Carbon in Canada's boreal forest worth $3.7 trillion (11/25/2005) Carbon stored in Canada's boreal forests and peatlands is worth $3.7 trillion according to research by the Pembina Institute for the Canadian Boreal Initiative.
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