Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve and Haida Heritage Site

Gwaii Haanas National Park
IUCN category II (national park)
Location	((Canada))
Nearest city	Sandspit
Area	1,495 km²
Established	1988
Governing body	Gwaii Haanas Archepelago Management Board

Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve and Haida Heritage Site, often referred to simply as Gwaii Haanas, is located in the southern part of Haida Gwaii / Queen Charlotte Islands 130 kilometres off the coast of British Columbia, Canada. Gwaii Haanas protects an archipelago of 138 islands, the largest being Moresby Island.

Establishing Gwaii Haanas

In 1981 plans to expand logging to Burnaby Island lead to the first concerted efforts to protect Gwaii Haaans.

In 1985 the Haida Nation designated Gwaii Haaanas a Haida Hertiage Site. Two years later logging ended when Canada and British Colombia signed the South Moresby Memorandum of Understanding.

A year later the South Moresby Agreement was signed providing for the designation of a National Park Reserve.

Cooperatively managed

In 1993 the Government of Canada and the Council of Haida Nation signed the Gwaii Haanas Agreement. This Agreement expresses respect for both Canadian and Haida interests, and includes a mutual commitment to the protection of Gwaii Haanas.

Based on the Agreement, Gwaii Haanas is cooperatively managed by the Archipelago Management Board (AMB), which is made up of an equal number of representatives from the Council of Haida Nation and the Government of Canada. The AMB is responsible for all aspects of planning, operation, and management of Gwaii Haaans

Gwaii Haanas Crest

The AMB's crest is a unique design crafted by local Haida artist Giitsxaa. The AMB chose the sea otter and the sea urchin because of the creatures' significance in the history and tradition of the protected area and because of their ecological significance.

Populations of sea urchin, a kelp-grazing species, were once kept in check by sea otters, ensuring an abundance of kelp - and more life around the kelp. With the extirpation of sea otters during the maritime fur trade, the natural balance between species in the community was disturbed. The sea urchin population has increased dramatically over time and the health of kelp forests is threatened. The loss of the sea otter is a powerful reminder of the vulnerability of individual species and entire ecosystems.

World Heritage Haida Village

SGang Gwaay

UNESCO World Heritage Site
Criteria	Cultural: iii
Reference	157
Inscription	1981 (5th Session)

SGang Gwaay (Anthony Island), an island in the southern part of Gwaii Haanas, was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1981. A sheltered bay on the east side of the island contains the of a traditional Haida village - SGang Gwaay Llnagaay.

This represents the only example in the world of the remains of a traditional Northwest Coast First Nations village site, complete with standing totem poles and the remains of cedar longhouses.

Haida people have a continuing presence at SGang Gwaay and four other village sites between May to September as part of the Haida Gwaii Watchmen Program. Between two and four Watchmen live at each site serving as guardians to protect the natural and cultural heritage of these sites.

Natural values

The landscapes of Gwaii Haanas vary from deep fjords to rugged mountains, salmon spawning streams to sub-alpine tundra.

The west coast of Gwaii Haanas can receive over 4 metres of rain annually. As water drains from the highest mountains - including the rugged San Christoval mountains with peaks over 1100 metres - it helps fill over 40 freshwater lakes. In turn, this water drains through more than 50 salmon spawning streams. In low lying areas streams pass beneath a canopy of old growth temperate rainforest, including some of the worlds largest Sitka spruce, western hemlock and western red cedar.

Unique island wildlife

Distinct island flora and fauna have evolved over thousands of years. Species here often differ from those found on the mainland. Many common continental species are not found on the islands, or have evolved into unique subspecies such as the black bear which is larger than its mainland cousin. Other species have been introduced relatively recently, such as the Sitka black-tailed deer, racoons, squirrels and beaver. Introduced species now exist in large numbers, much to the detriment of native plants and animals.

An estimated 750 000 seabirds nest along the shoreline of Gwaii Haanas from May through August. Many are burrow-nesters, such as the rhinoceros auklet, ancient murrelet and tufted puffin. Bald eagles are a common site and nest along the coastline. Because the islands are situated along the Pacific flyway, dozens of species of migrating birds stop here in spring and fall.

Proposed National Marine Conservation Area Reserve

Parks Canada has identified the waters around Gwaii Haaans as a potential national marine conservation area reserve (NMCAR).

For the Haida, the marine and terrestrial environments are inseperable. The boundary between earth and ocean exists only on a map.

The Gwaii Haanas NMCAR will balance protecting marine ecosystems, while also allowing people to use the areas in an ecolgocially sustainable fashion. This includes traditional harvesting, recreational and commercial fishing.

Once the NMCAR is established, nearly 5 000 square kilometres of Gwaii Haanas will be protected. This will be one of the only places in the world where a representative area is protected from mountain top to ocean depth.

Visiting Gwaii Haanas

Gwaii Haanas came first in a survey of US and Canadian National Parks in National Geographic Traveler magazine, recognized for its pristine environment and sustainable management practices.

Gwaii Haanas is a remote location; accessible by sea kayak, boat or chartered floatplane only.

An orientation is provided to all visitors before they enter Gwaii Haanas.

See also

• National Parks of Canada
• List of National Parks of Canada

External links

• Official site
• World Heritage Site

Recommended Reading

"MacDonald, George F.". Ninstints- Haida World Heritage Site. Vancouver: UBC Press. 1983