Dena K’eh Kusan (DKK), the Kaska proposed Indigenous Protected and Conserved Area (IPCA) in Northern British Columbia, holds 9.6 million acres (3.9 million hectares) of remote landscape located in the Boreal Cordillera ecozone and provides habitat for a diverse range of birds and waterfowl.

Kaska Bird Monitoring
Kaska Bird Monitoring

Objectives

The purpose of this initiative was to track, record and document information on migratory birds in the DKK for the purpose of bird conservation and protection within the DKK and assist with community-specific monitoring goals, knowledge sharing and decision making.

Kaska Bird Monitoring
Kaska Bird Monitoring

Partners

Dena Kayeh Institute partnered with Environment & Climate Change Canada in 2022 regarding deployment of Automated Recording Units (ARUs) and with the National Audobon Society Inc. and Wildlife Conservation Society of Canada in 2023 and 2024 for deploment of Deployment of Automated Recording Units (ARUs).

WCS Canada
Audubon
ECCC
Environment and Climate Change Canada

Activities

Automated Recording Units (ARU) Deployment

2022 and 2023

  • 5 ARUS were deployed in and around lakes within the Kaska Territory in partnership with ECCC (Environment & Climate Change Canada).
  • Lakes monitored: Wheeler Lake, Sucker Lake, Lower Post Burn, McKenna Lake and Crooked Lake.

2023

  • Partnered with the National Audubon Society and Ducks Unlimited to deploy ARU’s within Kaska Ancestral Territory.
  • Lakes and Wetlands monitored in 2023: McKenna Lake, Crooked Lake (2), Barney Lake, Fireweed Lake (ARU destroyed in fire), Wheeler Lake, Moose Lake access road, 3 locations by Toad River(wetlands).

2024

  • Partnered with the National Audubon Society and Ducks Unlimited for deployment of ARUs by road and helicopter access (April & May 2024) (10 helicopter access) (10 road access sites).

MOTUS Stations Deployment

2023

  • Continued planning and coordination with National Audubon Society for the siting and operation of MOTUS stations.

Outcomes

  • Information on the songbirds in and around the DKK that can be used in the case for conservation.
  • Lists of the birds identified at each unique GPS location.
  • Digital audio files of each species of bird identified in the recordings

Resources