1. The Opportunity
In the Atlin-Taku, we have a rare opportunity to protect a large northern landscape in the face of climate change. The diversity and complexity of the Atlin-Taku landscape creates high levels of biodiversity for such a northern latitude. It’s a place where nature thrives. By protecting the bulk of the terrain, we can allow the mix of biodiversity to change as the climate changes and help keep this world healthy and functioning.
The Atlin-Taku landscape is currently the focus of a land-use planning process that will determine the potential types, locations, and intensity of industrial development allowed in the region. The plan will also set aside areas for protection. That protection needs to be significant for nature to continue to thrive.
The Atlin-Taku land-use planning process is structured around a government-to-government forum between the Province of BC and the Taku River Tlingit First Nation. Environmental groups are engaging in the planning process along with other stakeholders (such as the mineral exploration sector) primarily through workshops separate from this new concept of forum. The Taku River Tlingit have presented BC with their "Tlatsini" map of recommended protected areas based largely on wildlife, salmon, and cultural values. Tlatsini translates as "Places That Make us Strong" and the Taku River Tlingit map would see over half of the Atlin-Taku region protected. Theirs is a bold vision, but such vision is necessary for this magnificent part of B.C. The First Nation has shown strong leadership to protect their territory and demonstrated their intention and ability to be active managers of the land base.
This is the time to speak up for the Atlin-Taku. It’s a globally-significant large landscape with cold northern rivers that are critical salmon strongholds – especially important as we see failing salmon runs in southern British Columbia. With healthy, strong, interconnected ecosystems, the Atlin-Taku remains a promising buttress for B.C.’s biodiversity.
With your help, we can have magnificent new parks and other meaningful conservation outcomes from the current land-use planning process. We can let decision makers know that an intact Atlin-Taku is essential for B.C. biodiversity. Its healthy salmon runs alone are precious, as a beacon of hope for a resource not yet overexploited. But its true worth comes from the sum of its parts, of a series of ecosystems – from headwaters glaciers and high alpine meadows to lush forest valleys and lifeblood waterways – that create a large landscape of true global consequence that can cradle nature through climate change.
