Tsâwnjik Chu (Nordenskiold) Habitat Protection Area
Along the Nordenskiold River, south of Carmacks and west of the Klondike Highway, lies the Tsâwnjik Chu Habitat Protection Area. It protects 77.4 km2 within Salmon/Carmacks First Nation Settlement Land. This area is considered one of the 50 most important wetlands in the Yukon today.
Tsâwnjik Chu has been home to river, wetland, and wildlife, which have fed people and provided important habitat for waterfowl. Furbearers, such as beaver, marten, muskrat, wolf, wolverine, red fox, coyote, mink and weasel are found in Tsâwnjik Chu. Some of the wetland areas are home to spike rush beds, horsetail scouring rush beds, and other flora including potentially rare plant species. Aspen and white spruce, with some pockets of black spruce, forest the area.
The Little Salmon/Carmacks First Nation identified this area in their Final Agreement for special protection and conservation. As a Habitat Protection Area, Tsâwnjik Chu and the wildlife populations that live and visit there, will be protected.
Under the Management Plan for the area…
- the First Nation will manage the surface activities to ensure the protection of the ecological and cultural values.
- no largescale clearing, draining, or filling in of the wetlands will be permitted.
- land development shall be limited to potential cabin lots for personal use by Little Salmon/Carmacks First Nation citizens.
