The B.C. government has partnered with Salteau and West Moberly First Nations to achieve a historic agreement that strives to protect southern mountain caribou in northeastern B.C. Dozens of First Nations representatives and stakeholders gathered in Vancouver on Feb. 21, to celebrate the signing of the amended partnership agreement.
The number of caribou has dropped over the last century from roughly 40,000 animals to about 15,000. The partnership includes, a commitment to protect over 700,000 hectares of important caribou habitat, builds on the work that the parties have already undertaken in habitat restoration, take into account the social and economic well-being of communities and stakeholders in the area and complementing the leadership role the First Nations have already undertaken in the caribou recovery efforts.
The partnership agreement includes new language that clarifies B.C.’s commitment to involving local governments in caribou recovery. Collaboration with local governments and tenure holders will continue to support the effective implementation of the partnership agreement.
