Khutzeymateen Park [a.k.a. Khutzeymateen/K'tzim-a-deen Grizzly Sanctuary]

K’tzim-a-deen is the “Valley at the head of the inlet” (Coast Tsimshian)The Khutzeymateen Park [a.k.a. Khutzeymateen/K’tzim-a-deen Grizzly Bear Sanctuary] was established as a class A park in 1994 as the first area in Canada to be protected specifically for grizzly bears and their habitat. Class A parks are dedicated to the preservation of their natural environments for the inspiration, use and enjoyment of the public.The park represents the first undisturbed estuary of its size to be protected along the north coast of B.C. The topography of this land and marine sanctuary is diverse, with rugged peaks towering to 2100 metres above a valley of wetlands, old growth temperate rainforests, and a large river estuary. An abundance of wildlife shares the area.The Khutzeymateen Inlet Conservancy was established in 2008 to further enhance and ensure protection of key grizzly bear intertidal and foreshore habitats throughout the inlet. A conservancy is set aside for four reasons:The protection and maintenance of their biological diversity and natural environments.The preservation and maintenance of social, ceremonial and cultural uses of First Nations.The protection and maintenance of their recreational values.To ensure that development or use of their natural resources occurs in a sustainable manner consistent with the purposes of paragraphs (a), (b) and (c).The Khutzeymateen group of protected areas continues to play a key role in the conservation of grizzly bears in North America by protecting a large part of the ecosystem in which they live. Grizzly bears depend on a healthy and fully functioning ecosystem which supports a variety of animals and fish.Coast Tsimshian First Nations depend upon this area, as they have for thousands of years, as the source of their social, economic and cultural prosperity. Coast Tsimshian continue to conduct traditional activities in the K’tzim-a-deen and provide public education to explain their relationship to the area.The area continues to offer incredible opportunities to view grizzly bears in their natural habitat. Human use of the area focuses on bear viewing, natural and cultural education, and traditional activities. The K’tzim-a-deen protected areas play an important role in British Columbia’s protected areas system. The protected areas are known internationally as Canada’s first grizzly bear sanctuary and are home to one of the highest concentrations of grizzly bears in Canada.BC Parks, the Coast Tsimshian First Nations, and the Gitsi’is Tribe collaboratively manage the protected areas.Khutzeymateen protected areas commercial bear viewing partnershipBC Parks, Lax Kw’alaams and Commercial Bear Viewing Guides have developed a collaborative Partnership that ensures the Khutzeymateen Protected Areas continue to be managed proactively and public access monitored conservatively to ensure the grizzly bears and their habitats are the first priority.The bear viewing guides contribute a per person donation to the Khutzeymateen Park Enhancement Fund that collectively supports shared stewardship initiatives for Khutzeymateen Protected Areas including:The K’tzim-a-deen visitor centre and interpretation services.Natural and cultural resource monitoring and research.To ensure visitors to the Khutzeymateen Protected Areas receive an orientation on responsible bear viewing techniques.Businesses that are permitted by BC Parks to guide within Khutzeymateen Protected Area’s [PDF] Khutzeymateen Park Enhancement FundYou can help support the protection and management of grizzly bears and this unique partnership by donating to the Khutzeymateen Park Enhancement Fund. If you would like to make a financial contribution, please contact BC Parks at: [email protected] to discuss what kind of legacy you can leave for future generations.