Decade Long Campaign Successful - Nahanni National Park Reserve to Expand Boundaries

In a long awaited move, The Canadian government has announced an impressive expansion of the Nahanni National Park Reserve boundaries from 5,000 square kilometres to more than 30,000 square kilometres. Nahanni was named a National Park Reserve in 1972.

Whitehorse, Yukon — In a long awaited move, The Canadian government has announced an impressive expansion of the Nahanni National Park Reserve boundaries from 5,000 square kilometres to more than 30,000 square kilometres. Nahanni was named a National Park Reserve in 1972. A massive expansion in the works since it was It was proposed by then Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau in 1971. Prime Minister Stephen Harper has taken a personal interest in the park expansion which was announced today. This is the same size as the State of Maine in the US and three times the size of Yellowstone National Park.

The new boundaries allow for the protection of the majority of the land within the Greater Nahanni Ecosystem. The land will now be withdrawn from any kind of further development. Protected areas include mineral hot springs, limestone formations with international geological significance, and important grizzly bear, woodland caribou and Dall’s sheep habitat. The Government will consult with the Deh Cho First Nations and other stakeholders to determine land-use policies that will ensure the long-term protection of the park

Nahanni National Park Reserve was designated as UNESCO’s first World Heritage site in 1978 and the section of the South Nahanni River that includes the renowned Virginia Falls was designated a Canadian Heritage River by the Canadian Heritage Rivers Board in 1987.

Prime Minister Harper, says, “Canada is blessed with magnificent geography from coast to coast to coast, but none more spectacular than Nahanni Park. Today’s announcement will ensure that more of this precious land, and the unique wildlife populations it sustains, will be protected for future generations.”

Outfitter and Guide, Neil Hartling of Nahanni.com says this is a victory for First Nations and conservation that has been over twenty years in the making. “The Nahanni River is a true icon of Canada’s wilderness rivers,” he says.

Nahanni River Adventures and Canadian River Expeditions have been the leaders in river adventure for northern Canada and Alaska since 1972 and are longstanding supporters and political advocates of the environment. Northwest Territories Tourism are long-time supporters of this initiative as well. www.spectacularnwt.com

NAHANNI RIVER ADVENTURES

CONTACT: Neil Hartling

TEL: 867-668-6565

WEB: www.nahanni.com

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