Northeast BC’s first conservancy established

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C- Northeast BC’s first conservancy has been established near Halfway River First Nation.

The Tsaa Nuna Conservancy is located along the south shore of the Halfway River and covers 5,306 hectares. The province says the new conservancy area provides the Halfway River First Nation with an area to further teachings around traditional practices and pass on knowledge to future generations.

Conservancies are Crown lands set aside for the protection of their biological diversity, natural environments and use by First Nations for social, ceremonial and cultural uses.

“We are pleased that the Province has recognized the special and continuing cultural significance of this area to the Halfway River First Nation and confirmed its protection as a conservancy,” says Chief of Halfway River First Nation, Darlene Hunter, in a statement on Friday.

“It is an important area for our community where we hunt, trap, gather berries and teach our children about traditional practices and our way of life. The protection of this area will ensure that we can continue these activities in this area for generations to come.”

For several years the First Nation has tried to protect the area, which is used to teach youth and provides access to food sources in the area. In 2017, the community signed an agreement with the province that included working to build a conservancy. The two parties agreed to establish the conservancy in 2018.

The Tsaa Nuna area, 65 km northwest of Fort St. John, is rich with berry plants and home to moose, deer, elk, lynx, fisher and porcupine, says the province.

The Halfway River is one of five major watersheds in the region, and a migration route for bull trout and mountain whitefish, and also has rainbow trout, grayling, jackfish and dolly varden. Vast trail networks and water routes in the conservancy connect the area to other significant locations, streams and rivers.

“True reconciliation requires listening and respecting cultural practices and the relationship to place. We have much to learn from Indigenous nations about stewardship of the lands and waters that we rely on to sustain us,” Environment Minister George Heyman said in a statement. “Members of Halfway River First Nation are the stewards of this land. Establishing the Tsaa Nuna Conservancy provides the opportunity for all of us to learn about this place and help protect the area’s natural values.”

Conservancies allow a wider range of low-impact, compatible economic opportunities than Class A parks, says the province. However, commercial logging, mining and hydroelectric power generation, other than local run-of-the-river projects, are prohibited.

BC Parks and the Halfway River First Nation will work together to create a management plan for the area.