Edziza

Property Description

The MapleCross Fund worked with the BC Parks Foundation to help fund the creation a new 3500-hectare conservancy to protect the environment and wildlife in Tahltan territory, adjacent to Mount Edziza Provincial Park in Northwestern British Columbia.

“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.”

The new Conservancy protects a variety of habitats including low-lying forest, alpine meadows, wetlands, and lakes.  These habitats are home to grizzly bear, caribou, moose, mountain goat, stone sheep, wolverine and other wildlife including 11 species listed under the federal Species at Risk Act.  The area is a headwater into the Iskut River – the largest tributary into the Stikine River system – one of BC’s largest and most intact wild salmon watersheds.

The area was originally considered for inclusion in Mount Edziza Provincial Park when it was created, but was excluded due to the mineral values.  This project included a unique partnership between the Tahltan, the company with the mineral tenures –  Skeena Resources Ltd,  the Province of BC, Nature Conservancy of Canada, and the BC Parks Foundation.

“This is a triple win,” said Andy Day, CEO of the BC Parks Foundation. “Together, we’re protecting a huge area for wildlife and nature, we’re advancing reconciliation, and we’re supporting sustainable recreation and use.  We offer our sincere gratitude to MapleCross for getting in the canoe and lending their paddle to this collaboration – it’s part of a great new direction for B.C.”

Content and property pictures courtesy of BC Parks Foundation.