A Rare Opportunity to Support Indigenous-led Conservation in Canada

The Kaska Nation has spent years developing a vision for a proposed Indigenous Protected and Conserved Area (IPCA) in Northwest British Columbia called Dene K’éh Kusān, which means Always Will Be There in the Kaska language. This awe-inspiring 7.6-million-acre area is B.C.’s largest intact piece of wilderness—larger than the U.S. state of Massachusetts! It is home to ancient forests and rivers that are critical habitat for hundreds of species of migratory birds including long-distance travelers like Lesser Yellowlegs, Wilson’s Warbler, Golden-crowned Sparrow, and Common Nighthawk not to mention grizzly bears, caribou, and other species-at-risk. You can learn more about the birds of this region here. 

Protecting this vast area means portions of ten major watersheds as well as critical habitat for millions of birds and other wildlife will remain safe from harmful industrial development. It also fulfills the Kaska Nation's vision of healthy lands supporting healthy people and communities for generations to come. Plus, the region acts as a natural climate solution storing tonnes of carbon in its peatlands, forests, and wetlands.  

Right now, the B.C. government is deciding whether or not to protect this spectacular wilderness in Canada. They are asking for input from the public before August 4, 2026. This is a rare opportunity to support Indigenous-led conservation in Canada for the benefit of people, birds and the planet. 

You can participate in the survey here.

Tips for taking the survey:

The first thing you may notice is that there are lots of maps and other information to read through—do not worry about this! Feel free to skim through and push the blue “Next” button three times to land on the first question, which is:
Is there specific feedback you would like to share relating to the balance between conservation and resource development in Kaska Ancestral Territory? 
Suggested response (feel free to customize!) 
I fully support protecting Dene K'éh Kusān in its entirety. This protection is essential to successful conservation outcomes for migratory birds and other wildlife. The boundaries of Dene K'éh Kusān were strategically drawn to include areas where conservation values are high and industrial potential is low. That makes it a low-conflict opportunity to protect nature with minimal impact on industry.
The balance between conservation and resource development in Kaska Ancestral Territory should remain weighted towards the long-term protection of ecosystems and Kaska cultural heritage. Dene K'éh Kusān is how that balance can be achieved.

Push “Next” again to reach question two:
Is there specific feedback you would like to share relating to vision for a conservation economy in Dene K’éh Kusān?  
Suggested response (feel free to customize!) 
I'm pleased that Dene K'éh Kusān will be protected from industrial activities like mining, forestry, and oil and gas. I support Dene K’éh Kusān becoming a world-class protected area for all people to explore and enjoy. It opens up exciting economic opportunities for Kaska to welcome outdoor enthusiasts who will come to fish, hunt, hike, and camp in the new conservancy. I support a conservation economy that is carefully planned and managed — one that lets people experience true wildness, sustains an abundance of wildlife in the face of climate change, and protects these values for future generations.
It's encouraging to see the conservation economy valued as part of B.C.'s economic future, not just resource extraction. A nature-based, outdoor economy is an important part of the province's long-term strategy.

Push “Next” again to answer the third question:
Is there any other feedback that you would like to share with the project team about the proposed Dene K’éh Kusān? 
Suggested response (feel free to customize!) 
Negotiations between B.C. and Kaska have already reduced the size of Dene K'éh Kusān by roughly 20%. I'm calling for no further reductions, and I strongly support protecting every area within the current proposed boundaries, which fortunately still captures most of the highest priority conservation values.
Dene K'éh Kusān is one of the last major intact, unprotected landscapes in North America. Now is the time for B.C. to prioritize conservation and finalize this project before the end of 2026. Protecting areas adjacent to Dene K’éh Kusān must also be considered within the broader network of northern land-use plans to maintain critical wildlife connectivity corridors across the landscape. 
The size of Dene K'éh Kusān is roughly 3% of B.C.'s total land area. This protection is critical to meeting the province's goal of protecting 30% of its land and water by 2030.

Once you have filled in all three questions in Part 1, you can skip ahead to Part 3 by pushing the blue “Next” button nine more times, or until you see the section labelled “Part 3 - About you”
Quickly fill in some demographic information—if you reside in the U.S. you can leave the Postal Code and Province/Region blank. And with that you are done. You have just helped protect one of the biggest, wildest places in BC! Thank you!