Building bridges for caribou conservation in northern British Columbia

In northern British Columbia, an important gathering took place last summer that could reshape the future of northern mountain caribou conservation.

The 2024 Northern Mountain Caribou Summit in Dease Lake, B.C., brought together Indigenous knowledge holders, hunting outfitters, and researchers, all united by their desire to learn more and better fortify their commitment to conserving these iconic animals and their vast habitat.

This three-day summit, co-hosted by the Tahltan Central Government and Wildlife Science Centre, represented a significant step forward in collaborative conservation. The gathering drew participants invited from across British Columbia, Yukon, and the Northwest Territories, key parts of the northern mountain caribou range.

“Weaving traditional knowledge with best-available science is key to understanding northern mountain caribou populations,” notes Mateen Hessami of the Wildlife Science Centre.

This philosophy underpinned the entire summit, where seven Indigenous Nations and organizations joined thirteen hunting outfitters and three independent research groups to share insights, build relationships, and chart a course for future conservation efforts.

The summit wasn’t just about discussion — it catalyzed concrete action. Participants unanimously agreed on the need to grow caribou populations and protect their habitat. The group has committed to quarterly meetings to continue sharing knowledge and implementing collaborative conservation strategies.

Y2Y is proud to support this short film about this gathering through funding from Y2Y’s 2024 Partner Grants program. What makes this initiative particularly significant for Y2Y is its alignment with our vision of connected landscapes stewarded by local communities.

“Weaving traditional knowledge with best-available science is key to understanding northern mountain caribou populations,”

—Mateen Hessami, wildlife science center Community-Based Wildlife Ecologist for Wildlife Science Centre

By bringing together diverse stakeholders who depend on mountain caribou for food, culture, and livelihood, the summit exemplifies how traditional ecological knowledge and contemporary science can work in harmony to inform decision-making in the region.

The momentum continues to build. Since the summit’s conclusion, organizers have pursued additional funding opportunities to advance habitat protection and center Indigenous and local communities in conservation efforts. This gathering has laid a strong foundation for long-term collaboration in caribou conservation.

Watch this to learn more about this remarkable collaboration and what is possible when diverse groups come together with a shared vision for wildlife conservation.