On March 25, 2025, the Gwich’in Tribal Council, Na-Cho Nyӓk Dun First Nation, Parks Canada and Yukon government took a significant step towards establishing a 3,000 square kilometer (741,316 acre) national park in the Peel River Watershed. The area provides important habitat for birds and other wildlife, most notably the Porcupine caribou herd who spend their winters in the region.
Starting a feasibility assessment will build upon the interim protections identified in the 2019 Peel Regional Land Use Plan. The process creates opportunities to support Indigenous-led conservation, protections for Porcupine caribou habitat, and the recovery of species at risk, according to Adriana Bacheschi, director of national park establishment for Parks Canada.
We will follow the progress of this feasibility study and the entire proposal process. Audubon’s Boreal Conservation program allies with Indigenous governments and organizations across Canada in support of their conservation and stewardship goals.
