Next steps
Thank you for your interest in caribou management in the NWT. The engagement period is now closed.
We are currently compiling comments received during public engagement on the Draft Bathurst Caribou Range Plan.
Between January and April 2018, with support from Working Group members, the GNWT held engagement sessions in fourteen communities and met with 28 groups and agencies.
In addition, over 150 comments were received from one individual and 17 organizations including Indigenous governments, co-management Boards, industry and non-government organizations.
A What we Heard document is being prepared that summarizes comments and indicates how they will be addressed in the Final Range Plan.
Cabinet review and approval of the Final Plan and What we Heard document should be complete in fall 2018, after which the documents will be publicly available.
Information on the Bathurst caribou engagement process
- Fact Sheet (for a broad overview of what's in the Plan)
- Draft Bathurst Caribou Range Plan
- Plain Language Summary
- Technical documents (listed below)
What was this engagement about?
The Draft Bathurst Caribou Range Plan is a guide for decision-makers, companies and communities to help manage activities on the land in a way that supports the recovery of the Bathurst herd.
Bathurst caribou travel thousands of kilometres every year, across a range that extends from southern and central Northwest Territories to the Bathurst Inlet in Nunavut and even as far south as northern Saskatchewan.
They may encounter human or natural disturbances along their route, including roads, communities, mines, camps and burned forests. These disturbances, along with the effects of a changing climate, can affect the size and health of the herd.
In 2014, due to concern over pressures on the Bathurst herd, work began on a Bathurst Caribou Range Plan to manage human and natural disturbance, such as wildland fire, across the herd's habitat.
A Working Group made up of Indigenous governments and organizations, industry, non-governmental organizations, co-management boards and territorial and federal governments has brought together scientific information and traditional knowledge to help develop options for habitat management.
Where can I find out more?
Caribou Range Assessment and Technical Information
- Supporting Report: Caribou Range Assessment and Technical Information
- APPENDIX A Human Development Feature (Footprint) Mapping
- APPENDIX B Human Development Features and Zone of Influence Assumptions and References
- APPENDIX C Interim Range Assessment Areas
- APPENDIX D Methods and Summary of Key Results for Bathurst Caribou Range Plan Using CARMA
- APPENDIX E Assessment of Seasonal Range Assumptions
Land Use Scenarios & Economics
Traditional Knowledge of Caribou and Caribou People
- Supporting Report: Traditional Knowledge of Caribou and Caribou People
- APPENDIX A Guiding Questions for Community Traditional Knowledge Reports
- APPENDIX B Traditional Knowledge Workshop Methodology
- APPENDIX C Traditional Knowledge Workshop Report (2016)
- APPENDIX D Traditional Knowledge Workshop Report (2017)
- APPENDIX E Reviewing, Sorting and Weaving Traditional Knowledge
- APPENDIX F Water Crossings and Land Bridges
Results of past public engagement
From February to June 2017, the GNWT asked our Indigenous partners, decisions-makers and other NWT residents what a Draft Bathurst Caribou Range Plan should look like. The first round of engagement involved a series of regional invitational community workshops, public information sessions and written submissions.