WWF-Canada’s Mackenzie River Basin Conservation Program aims to protect key habitats, including critical forest and freshwater ecosystems within the watershed, and ensure a network of protected areas is established before any industrial development occurs in the area.
The magnificent Mackenzie Valley watershed, located in the Northwest Territories (NWT), covers almost a fifth of Canada – an area twice the size of Ontario. The watershed is the largest in Canada and its northern reaches are virtually pristine. It is home to woodland and barren ground caribou, wolves, lynx, grizzly bears, moose and huge populations of migratory ducks, geese, swans, shorebirds, raptors and loons.
For many years, there have been plans to build a gas pipeline in the Mackenzie Valley. Thirty years ago, NWT residents opposed plans for a pipeline. Now, many feel the region is ready for industrial development – but only if it’s done right, stewarding the land and resources for future generations. WWF agrees with this principle.
For many years, there have been plans to build a gas pipeline in the Mackenzie Valley. Thirty years ago, NWT residents opposed plans for a pipeline. Now, many feel the region is ready for industrial development – but only if it’s done right, stewarding the land and resources for future generations. WWF agrees with this principle.
WWF-Canada believes a network of protected areas must be established before natural gas reserves are developed, and that network must protect key wildlife habitats and culturally significant areas and adequately represent all the distinct natural regions that will be affected by development. A gas pipeline will affect sixteen of the Mackenzie Valley’s distinct natural regions – only five are currently represented in protected areas.
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