Tenh Dẕetle Conservancy
Mount Edziza Conservancy, BC (Photo courtesy Skeena Resources)
In April 2021, the Tahltan Central Government, Province of BC, Skeena Resources Limited, the Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) and BC Parks Foundation worked in partnership to create the a new conservancy in northwestern BC. The conservancy protects an ecologically and culturally important area in Tahltan territory.
The new conservancy is adjacent to Mount Edziza Provincial Park and orignially bore the same name. In February 2022, the conservancy was renamed Tenh Dẕetle Conservancy, which translates to Ice Mountain in reference to the glacial ice that covers the land here. The new name came from Tahltan Elders, language keepers and knowledge holders, and better reflects Tahtlan heritage and ongoing commitment to the land.
Project history
Located in the Stikine region, the conservancy encompasses 3,500 hectares of low-lying wetlands, lake and forest to the east of Mount Edziza. The provincial park borders the conservancy on three sides.
This area was originally proposed to be part of Mount Edziza Provincial Park but was not included at the time due to challenges resolving mineral claims. The unique partnership between the provincial government, the Indigenous Nation, industry and non-profits led to the removal of all mineral tenures in the area. This was a critical step in providing for the full protection of the land's cultural and ecological values.
“In a world losing wildlife and healthy lands at unprecedented rates, collaborative conservation efforts like this one offer a model to address the crisis facing nature,” said Molly McUsic, president of The Wyss Foundation, which contributed funding to help facilitate the creation of the conservancy. “We are grateful to support this creative public-private partnership, and to help facilitate the Tahltan Central Government’s vision for continued and strengthened stewardship of Tahltan territory, to the benefit of people, wildlife and the natural environment.”
Indigenous-led conservation
"Mount Edziza and the surrounding area has always been sacred to the Tahltan Nation. The obsidian from this portion of our territory provided us with weaponry, tools and trading goods that ensured our Tahltan people could thrive for thousands of years,” said Chad Norman Day, president of Tahltan Central Government. “Working alongside Skeena Resources, the Province, BC Parks Foundation and the Nature Conservancy of Canada to provide further protection to this area is an initiative we can all take pride in. I am so relieved and thrilled that Mount Edziza is better protected for our future generations."
NCC acknowledges that the Tahltan have cared for the natural areas, plants and wildlife that have sustained them for millennia. The creation of the conservancy in Tahltan territory represents the first step in the multi-year Tahltan Stewardship Initiative which aims to bring greater self-determination to the Tahltan Nation and support their land stewardship goals.
“Permanently protecting the cultural and ecological values of these lands is a remarkable achievement, and we congratulate the Tahltan Central Government on their leadership and vision in making this outcome a reality,” said Nancy Newhouse, NCC’s regional vice president in BC. “The unique volcanic landforms, the habitat connectivity for wildlife and the long history of human relationship to this land all make it an area well worth conserving. This was truly a collaborative project, where partners representing a wide range of interests worked together in the spirit of cooperation.”
Conservation values
The conservancy lands span a mosaic of habitats: low-lying forest, alpine meadows, wetlands and lakes. The area includes the headwaters of an important tributary to the Stikine River system, which is one of North America’s largest and most intact wild salmon watersheds.
This area is rich in wildlife. Moose, caribou, mountain goats and stone sheep roam here. The land supports habitat suitable at least 11 species at risk, including olive-sided flycatcher, grizzly bear and wolverine. These species and more will benefit from the long-term protection of Tenh Dẕetle and surrounding area.
The conservancy is managed by BC Parks, in consultation with the Tahltan Nation.
Conservation funders
NCC recognizes the generous contributions from its funders, whose participation was essential to facilitating the creation of a provincial conservancy on these lands:
- Government of Canada, Natural Heritage Conservation Program, part of Canada’s Nature Fund
- MakeWay
- The Wyss Foundation
- Wilburforce Foundation
“British Columbia and the Tahltan Central Government have shown that nature and communities can thrive together when industry and conservation partners are willing to recognize and work collaboratively with indigenous leadership,” said Darcy Riddell, Director, BC Program at MakeWay. “MakeWay is happy to have played a part in this.”
