How to fill out the survey

Will you do something small to save something big?

Right now, the BC government is deciding whether or not to protect some of the most spectacular wilderness in Canada. Will you give 10 minutes of your time before August 4 to urge the BC government to protect the biggest, wildest part of northern BC?

The Kaska First Nations have spent years developing a vision for a proposed Indigenous Protected and Conserved Area (IPCA) in Northwest BC called Dene K’éh Kusān. The awe-inspiring 3-million-hectare area is BC’s largest intact piece of wilderness—an area nearly the size of Vancouver Island! It’s home to ancient forests and rivers that are critical habitat for grizzly bears, caribou, and other species-at-risk.

Before August 4, complete this survey to tell the BC government that you support the Kaska’s vision for protected wilderness. We’ve included tips to make the process easy below.

Why this is important now: We know industry associations will be pushing for industrial development and resource extraction in this area, so we need your voice to join a chorus for protection.

Submit the BC Government Survey

Tips for taking the survey

There is a lot of information and maps to read through – do not worry about this! Feel free to skim through and push the blue “Next” button three times to land on the first question:

Q1 Is there specific feedback you would like to share relating to the balance between conservation and resource development in Kaska Ancestral Territory?

Suggested response (feel free to customize!)

I fully support protecting Dene K’éh Kusān in its entirety. This protection is essential to successful conservation outcomes. The boundaries of Dene K’éh Kusān were strategically drawn to include areas where conservation values are high and industrial potential is low. That makes it a low-conflict opportunity to protect nature with minimal impact on industry.

As governments push for new pipelines, power lines, and mines, it’s more important than ever to safeguard large wilderness areas like Dene K’éh Kusān. The balance between conservation and resource development in Kaska Ancestral Territory should remain weighted towards the long-term protection of ecosystems and Kaska cultural heritage. Dene K’éh Kusān is how that balance can be achieved.

Push “Next” again to reach question two:

Q2 Is there specific feedback you would like to share relating to vision for a conservation economy in Dene K’éh Kusān?

Suggested response (feel free to customize!)

I’m pleased that Dene K’éh Kusān will be protected from industrial activities like mining, forestry, and oil and gas. I support Dene K’éh Kusān becoming a world-class protected area for all people to explore and enjoy. It opens up exciting economic opportunities for Kaska to welcome outdoor enthusiasts who come to fish, hunt, hike, and camp in the new conservancy. I support a conservation economy that is carefully planned and managed — one that lets people experience true wildness, sustains an abundance of wildlife in the face of climate change, and protects these values for future generations.

It’s encouraging to see the conservation economy valued as part of BC’s economic future, not just resource extraction. A nature-based, outdoor economy is an important part of the province’s long-term strategy.

Push “Next” again to answer the third question:

Q3 Is there any other feedback that you would like to share with the project team about the proposed Dene K’éh Kusān?

Suggested response (feel free to customize!)

Negotiations between BC and Kaska have already reduced the size of Dene K’éh Kusān by roughly 20%. I’m calling for no further reductions, and I strongly support protecting every area within the current proposed boundaries, which fortunately still captures most of the highest-priority conservation values.

Dene K’éh Kusān is one of the last major intact, unprotected landscapes in North America. Now is the time for BC to prioritize conservation and finalize this project before the end of 2026. Protecting areas adjacent to Dene K’éh Kusān must also be considered within the broader network of northern land-use plans to maintain critical wildlife connectivity corridors across the landscape.

The size of Dene K’éh Kusān is roughly 3% of BC’s total land area. This protection is critical to meeting the province’s goal of protecting 30% of its land and water by 2030.

Great, you’ve filled in all three questions in Part 1! Now there is only one part left to fill in. Skip ahead to Part 3 by pushing the blue “Next” button nine more times, or until you see the section labelled “Part 3 – About you”

Quickly fill in some demographic information and you’re done – you have just helped protect one of the biggest, wildest places in BC! Pat yourself on the back.

MAKE YOUR
VOICE HEARD.

Thank you for taking the time to fill out this survey
and protect Dene K’éh Kusān. Share with a friend!

Submit the BC Government Survey

How to fill out the survey

Will you do something small to save something big?

Tips for taking the survey

MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD.

MAKE YOUR
VOICE HEARD.