Fiordland Conservancy facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Fiordland Conservancy |
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IUCN Category Ib (Wilderness Area)
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![]() Kynoch Inlet, Fiordland Conservancy
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Location | Kitimat-Stikine, British Columbia, Canada |
Nearest city | Bella Bella |
Area | 76,825 ha (296.62 sq mi) |
Designation | Conservancy |
Established | 1987 |
Governing body | BC Parks |
The Fiordland Conservancy is a special protected area in British Columbia, Canada. It's also known by other names like the Fiordland Recreation Area or Fiordland Conservation Area. This amazing place helps protect a part of Canada's coast that has beautiful, deep fjords. These fjords were carved long ago by giant glaciers. When the conservancy was first created, it was the only protected area of its kind in British Columbia that focused on this unique environment.
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Discovering Fiordland Conservancy
The Fiordland Conservancy was established in 1987. It covers a huge area of land and water. The land part is about 76,825 hectares. This is like protecting over 190,000 football fields! It also includes 7,592 hectares of foreshore. Foreshore is the land along the coast that is covered and uncovered by the tides.
Where is Fiordland Conservancy?
This conservancy is located in the Kitimat Ranges. These ranges are part of the larger Coast Mountains in British Columbia. You can find it about 100 kilometers north of the town of Bella Coola. The conservancy includes two main inlets. These are long, narrow arms of the sea. Their names are Mussel and Kynoch.
What is a Conservancy?
In British Columbia, a "conservancy" is a special type of protected area. It's like a park, but it also allows for some traditional uses. These uses might include things like hunting, trapping, or fishing by First Nations people. Conservancies are created to protect important natural and cultural values. They help keep places wild and healthy for future generations.
Exploring Fiordland's Beauty
Fiordland Conservancy is a wild and remote place. There are no roads that lead into the conservancy. This means you can't just drive there. Because of this, it's mostly enjoyed by people who love to explore by water. Sailors often visit in their boats. Kayakers also paddle through the calm, deep waters of the fjords. It's a perfect spot for adventure and seeing nature up close.
History and First Peoples
Even though there are no modern towns or villages in the conservancy today, people have lived here for a very long time. The Heiltsuk people are the traditional inhabitants of this area. They have maintained villages along these shores in the past. Their history and culture are deeply connected to this land and its waters. The closest communities to the conservancy today are Klemtu and Bella Bella.