Systematic Conservation Planning in Tsay Keh Dene Territory: Incorporating Climate Change and Bridging Traditional Ecological Knowledge

Systematic Conservation Planning (SCP) is the idea that the practice of protecting lands should be examined on a broad scale and be holistic in nature. Available areas of land with conservation potential should be examined critically for whether they fit into a larger ecological network – either as a link between existing protected areas, or as an area that is ecologically significant on its own. This project is an application of SCP principles and tools for a specific geography – the Tsay Keh Dene Nation Territory in northcentral British Columbia, Canada. The research is being carried out in cooperation with the Nation and their wholly-owned environmental consulting company, Chu Cho Environmental. Study results should help immediately in the processing of project proposals within the territory since the Nation is often overwhelmed by the number received, as well as in the long-term with natural resource management and activities related to large-scale conservation goals.

Faculty Supervisor:

Pamela Wright

Student:

Christopher Morgan

Partner:

Chu Cho Environmental LLP

Discipline:

Environmental sciences

Sector:

Professional, scientific and technical services

University:

University of Northern British Columbia