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The Whitefish Wetlands is among several important natural areas in northern Yukon which have been protected as a result of the North Yukon Land Use Plan.
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The Old Crow Flats and Whitefish Wetlands (PDF, 635KB)
Yukon wetlands protection positive for ducks and development
Old Crow Flats and Whitefish Wetlands to remain pristine
Whitehorse, Yukon, July 2, 2009 - There are plenty of wide open spaces in the boreal forest of the Yukon and now several of those wetland spaces are permanently protected. Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) commends the Vuntut Gwitchin and Yukon governments for formalizing permanent protection to the Old Crow Flats Special Management Area, and for approving the North Yukon Land Use Plan, which recommends the full protection of several key Yukon wetland complexes including the Whitefish Wetlands.
“This is a historical moment for Ducks Unlimited Canada in the Yukon,” says Eric Butterworth, Manager of Territorial and Boreal operations for DUC’s Western Boreal Program. “These areas are key wetland habitat for North America’s waterfowl population, especially for some of the species which are experiencing continental decline, like scaups and scoters. The numbers of those species are actually stable in the Yukon thanks to places like Old Crow Flats and Whitefish Wetlands.”
The Old Crow Flats Special Management Area and Whitefish Wetlands encompass 12,600 km2 (3.1 million acres) and are major wetland complexes in northern Yukon. These areas are approximately 75 kilometres north of the Arctic Circle. DUC has worked extensively with the Vuntut Gwitchin and Yukon governments, and the North Yukon Planning Commission to move these wetlands towards protection.
“This area is not only part of our past for our community, but also important to our future and it is also important to the fish and wildlife we have always depended on,” said Joe Linklater, Vuntut Gwitchin Chief. “We have respected the land for thousands of years and we want to make sure this respect continues for thousands of years. This is especially important because of the increasing development that is happening in the North.”
According to studies and surveys, some of which were completed by DUC, the area is home to 150 bird species , 40 species of mammals, and 18 fish species. There are also 600 plant species in the area, 93 of which are considered rare. Old Crow Flats contains 17 waterfowl species. The wetland complex holds the highest density of waterfowl in the Yukon, and it supports a significant portion of the continental populations of ducks, swans, and other waterfowl. The area also has significant cultural and economical importance to the Vuntut Gwitchin community, who hunt, gather and trap on the land. From a historical perspective, the area holds some of the oldest recorded sites of human occupation in North America and is home to two fur trade era Yukon Historic Sites – Rampart House and Lapierre House.
Bob Hayes, DUC’s Yukon Manager says the North Yukon Land Use Plan was designed to protect the significant natural and cultural resources of the region while still allowing for current and future economic development.
“Protecting these key wetlands now is a proactive way of ensuring that healthy wetland habitat is accessible and in turn benefits waterfowl populations,” says Hayes. “It also allows the communities here to prosper economically when the opportunity arises without compromising their traditional way of life and environmental stewardship. DUC applauds this important conservation decision.”
Since 1938, Ducks Unlimited Canada has been conserving, restoring and managing wetlands and associated habitats for North America’s waterfowl. These habitats also benefit other wildlife and people.
For more information, contact:
Leigh Patterson, l_patterson@ducks.ca
Corporate Media Relations Specialist
Ducks Unlimited Canada
Tel: (204) 467-3306
