Duu Guusd Heritage Site/Conservancy facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Duu Guusd Heritage Site/Conservancy |
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IUCN Category II (National Park)
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 Duu Guusd Heritage Site/Conservancy
Location in British Columbia
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| Location | Haida Gwaii, British Columbia, Canada |
| Area | 227,712 ha (879.20 sq mi) |
| Designation | Conservancy |
| Established | March 23, 2008 |
| Governing body | BC Parks |
The Duu Guusd Heritage Site/Conservancy is a very special place in British Columbia, Canada. It is located on the northwest side of Graham Island, which is part of the beautiful Haida Gwaii islands. This area was officially created on March 23, 2008. Its main purpose is to protect the amazing natural environment and the important cultural history of the region.
Duu Guusd is part of a bigger network of protected areas across the Haida Gwaii islands. This network includes places like Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve and Haida Heritage Site and 17 other protected areas managed by the province.
Contents
Where is Duu Guusd Located?
This protected area has two main parts: land and water.
- The land part covers a huge area, about 143,593 hectares. This goes from the western side of Naden Harbour all the way to the Pacific Ocean. It also stretches from Langara Island at Dixon Entrance down to the northern end of Rennell Sound.
- The water and shoreline part covers about 84,173 hectares. This includes the ocean waters and the beaches.
- A smaller protected area, the Vladimir J. Krajina Ecological Reserve, is completely surrounded by Duu Guusd Heritage Site/Conservancy. This reserve protects most of an area called Port Chanal.
What Can We Learn from the Rocks?
The park is home to many amazing fossil beds. These are places where ancient plants and animals have turned into rock over millions of years. The fossils found here date back to the Mesozoic era. This was a very long time ago, when dinosaurs roamed the Earth! Studying these fossils helps scientists learn about life on Earth in the distant past.
Why is Duu Guusd Important to Haida Culture?
The Duu Guusd Heritage Site/Conservancy is very important for the Haida people. It helps them continue their traditional way of life. The Haida have lived in this area for thousands of years. They still use the land and waters for many important cultural activities.
Some examples of how the Haida use the area include:
- Harvesting tree bark: They collect bark from certain trees, which they use to make baskets, hats, and other crafts.
- Gathering medicinal plants: They find special plants that have been used for medicine for generations.
- Fishing and hunting: These activities provide food and are a big part of their culture.
- Erecting totems: They raise totem poles, which are tall carved poles that tell stories and represent their history.
Besides these ongoing traditions, the area also has many ancient sites. There are 88 recorded archaeological sites here. These sites contain at least 491 known cultural items, like tools or carvings. Experts believe there are likely hundreds more waiting to be discovered! These sites give us clues about how the Haida people lived long ago.
See also
- Naikoon Provincial Park
