Field Projects: Key Habitat Sites

Management of Protected Areas

Environment Canada, Canadian Wildlife Service (CWS) manages 16 Migratory Bird Sanctuaries (MBS) and two National Wildlife Areas (NWA) in NWT and Nunavut. Primary management activities include the development of management plans, the review of permit applications and the production of public information. The Nunavut Land Claim Agreement (NLCA) requires management plans for all CWS protected areas in the Nunavut Settlement Area, and the negotiation of Inuit Impact and Benefit Agreements (IIBA) for many of them. CWS issues permits with respect to activities within MBSs and NWAs, and the salvage or collection of birds in the course of scientific studies. Applications are reviewed in cooperation with impact review boards and other institutions under the various land claims. (Prairie and Northern Region Protected Areas Home Page)

Duration: Ongoing

Partners: Wildlife comanagement boards, local Hunters and Trappers Organizations (HTO) , Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated (NTI)

Contact: Paul Latour (NWT); Mark Mallory (Nunavut)

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Inuit Impact and Benefit Agreement (IIBA)

Under the Nunavut Land Claim Agreement, government and Inuit must complete an IIBA for all conservation areas that existed when the final agreement was completed; and before new conservation areas are established. Environment Canada is negotiating an umbrella IIBA that will cover all of its existing Sanctuaries and National Wildlife Areas, as well as up to four proposed new areas.

Duration: Ongoing

Contact: Victoria Johnston

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Establishment of protected areas in the Mackenzie Valley

With the likelihood of greatly increased activity in the Mackenzie Valley from the energy, mineral and forestry sectors there is increasing pressure to establish a network of protected areas that represent the range of biological diversity in the Mackenzie Valley and protect key habitat sites. CWS is working with its partners to identify and advance such sites through the NWT Protected Areas Strategy.

Duration: Ongoing

Partners: First Nations, WWF, DU Canada, CPAWS, Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT), Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development (INAC)

Contact: Paul Latour

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Nirjutiqavvik National Wildlife Area (map)

The Nirjutiqavvik National Wildlife Area, on Coburg Island, was formally designated in 1995. It provides protection for large nesting populations of Thick-billed Murres, Northern Fulmars and Black-legged Kittiwakes. In 1996, a management committee was formed which assists CWS with day-to-day management of the NWA. IIBA negotiations are nearing completion and the management plan is being developed concurrently.

Duration: ongoing

Partners: Iviq (Grise Fiord) Hunters and Trappers Organization (HTO)

Contact: Mark Mallory

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Igaliqtuuq National Wildlife Area (map)

Isabella Bay on Baffin Island contains critical summer habitat for the eastern arctic population of Bowhead Whales. The community of Clyde River proposed the creation a NWA at Isabella Bay for the protection of the Bowhead Whale and its habitat. Negotiations on the IIBA are ongoing. Formal designation is expected shortly thereafter. As part of the process of designating the area as an NWA, the CWS will conduct a wildlife and habitat inventory of the site to develop a picture of the current ecological condition of the wildlife area.

Duration: Ongoing

Partners: Nangmautaq HTO, INAC, DFO, Government of Nunavut (GNU)

Contact: Victoria Johnston, Mark Mallory

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Ecological and Resource Assessment of the Proposed Edezhie Wildlife Area (map)

In October 2002, CWS obtained a 5 year land withdrawal for the Edehzhie candidate protected area (25,000 sq km), which includes pristine boreal forest and important boreal wetlands. During this period CWS will be cooperating with its partners in conducting an assessment of the ecological and mineral resources of the Edehzhie area as outlined in Step 5 of the NWT Protected Areas Strategy. The location of boundaries will be identified and an area management plan developed. This information will be used in the final determination of whether to proceed with formal designation of the candidate area through such instruments as the Canada Wildlife Act, Wildlife Area Regulations.

Duration: 2002-2006

Partners: DCFN, DUC, GNWT, World Wildlife Fund (WWF), INAC

Contact: Paul Latour

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Habitat Mapping of the Dewey Soper Bird Sanctuary (map)

There is concern about the potential impacts of grazing by increasing numbers of geese in the Dewey Soper Bird Sanctuary. Land cover is being mapped by using satellite (Landsat TM) imagery. Fieldwork was conducted in 1999 and the maps will be developed thereafter.

Duration: ongoing

Partners: Arctic Goose Joint Venture (AGJV), Polar Continental Shelf Project (PCSP), Mississippi and Central Flyway Councils

Contact: Andrew Didiuk, Mark Mallory

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Habitat Mapping of Migratory Bird Sanctuaries on Southampton Island (map)

An assessment of the availability, distribution and diversity of habitats in MBSs and NWAs in Nunavut is required to address issues of boundaries and land use in or near Conservation Areas, as well as issues regarding habitat degradation as it related to overabundant white geese. Mapping of the Southampton sites will complete the series of mapping projects already undertaken at Queen Maud Gulf MBS, McConnell River MBS and Dewey Soper MBS.

Duration: 2000-2003

Partners: Coral Harbour HTO, NMNH, PCSP

Contact: Mark Mallory, Al Fontaine

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Habitat and Wildlife Inventory of the Proposed Cape Searle and Reid Bay NWA (map)

The CWS has been trying to establish protection for the seabird colonies at Cape Searle and Reid Bay since the mid 1980s. In May 2000, the community of Qikiqtarjuaq and the CWS agreed to proceed on work to create these new NWAs. Collectively, a baseline inventory of natural features and current colony size and condition will be a critical benchmark against which to assess the anticipated impacts of cruise ships and increased marine shipping activities at these sites in the future.

Duration: 2000-2002

Partners: Nattivak HTO, World Wildlife Fund (WWF), Municipality of Qikiqtarjuaq

Contact: Mark Mallory, Al Fontaine

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Effects of Seismic Exploration on migratory birds and their habitat in Kendall Island Bird Sanctuary (map)

The significance of effects of seismic exploration on migratory birds and their habitat in arctic environments is unknown. With the amount of recent and future seismic exploration in the Kendall Island Bird Sanctuary, there is a need to ascertain the nature and duration of seismic effects on bird abundance (primarily shorebirds and passerines) and vegetation. In cooperation with the University of Alberta and industry, CWS initiated a study of the effects of seismic exploration on migratory birds and their habitat in the Sanctuary.

Duration: 2002 to 2004

Partners: University of Alberta, Industry

Contact: Paul Latour

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