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Protection for boreal forest near Great Bear Lake 
Yellowknife, N.W.T., April 20, 2009 — Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) congratulates the Government of Canada and the community of Délįne for the permanent protection of Saoyú - ?ehdacho, also known as Grizzly Bear Mountain and Scented Grass Hills, as a National Historic Site. Federal Environment Minister, Jim Prentice, made the announcement on April 14, 2009, ensuring that the 5,500 km2 area, which encompasses two peninsulas on the west arm of Great Bear Lake, will remain pristine boreal forest for years to come.
“This is a significant contribution to conservation in the Northwest Territories and Canada’s boreal region ,” says Shannon Haszard, DUC’s Northwest Territories Manager. “DUC’s waterbird surveys indicate that wetlands around the base of these two peninsulas are of significant importance to breeding and molting waterbirds. This intact boreal forest is also home to woodland caribou, grizzly bears, wolverine and peregrine falcons.
Great Bear Lake is the ninth largest lake in the world. Located approximately 550 km northwest of Yellowknife, this is the first area to obtain full protection through the Northwest Territories Protected Areas Strategy (PAS), a community-guided planning process designed to identify and protect culturally and ecologically important areas in the Northwest Territories. The PAS recognizes the need to balance conservation and economic development, while respecting Aboriginal rights and third party interests. Ducks Unlimited Canada works closely with First Nations, other conservation organizations, the federal and territorial governments, and industry to identify and protect important waterfowl habitats through the PAS and regional land use planning.
Haszard commended the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (CPAWS) for the years of effort they put toward conserving the Great Bear Lake peninsulas. Haszard also praised the Canadian government saying, “The designation of this area supports the commitment of the Canadian government to empower communities to make decisions about how their land and resources should be managed for future generations.”
For almost 20 years, the community of Délįne has worked to achieve this designation. The area is of great importance to the community, environmentally and culturally.
Ducks Unlimited Canada is a national, private, non-profit organization which has been committed to wetland conservation for more than 70 years.
For more information, contact:
Anh Hoang, a_hoang@ducks.ca
Marketing and Communications Specialist
Ducks Unlimited Canada
Tel: (403) 476-1879
