K'uuna Gwaay Conservancy

The people of the Haida Nation have occupied and collected food and materials from Ḵ’uuna Gwaay since time immemorial. The Haida maintained villages and seasonal camps at Skedans, Hlgaedlin, Xa’lanjt and Si’ngi. Skedans Reserve is surrounded by the heritage site/conservancy. It is a historical trade and potlatching site where the Haida exchanged dried halibut, dried seaweed, herring roe, and canoes for eulachon grease, dried berries, goat wool, and horns. It is now the site of a Haida Watchmen camp.Environment Canada, The Laskeek Bay Conservation Society (LBCS) and the Research Group on Introduced Species (RGIS) have monitored seabirds, shorebirds, marine mammals, and cavity nesting birds as well as conducted plant inventories on Limestone Island and surrounding areas. These studies have documented important ecological baselines, quantified impacts on native species from introduced species, and continues to inform land management through respected academic and civilian science.The remote location of Ḵ’uuna Gwaay Conservancy provides an excellent opportunity to maintain biological diversity and natural environment values. Of ongoing concern is the presence of introduced mammals. For example, black-tailed deer, squirrels, Norway rats and raccoons pose a threat to local ecosystems and species. In addition, several non-native invasive plants have been recorded on Limestone Island including burdock, bull thistle, sowthistle, and common crupina.The marine foreshore area and marine environment is highly biologically diverse, providing high value habitat for important marine species and includes six harbour seal haulouts and three Stellar sea lion haulouts. Limestone Island is a deposit of pure limestone that consists of massive grey crystalline limestone. South Low Island also has a limestone outcrop. The limestone outcrops on Limestone and South Low islands create unique habitats for rare and endemic plants. The deer-free status of Low and South Low islands allows for vegetation growth that is rarely found elsewhere on Haida Gwaii.