From the depths of the ocean to the tops of the mountains, Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve, National Marine Conservation Area Reserve and Haida Heritage Site, is like no other place in Canada - or the world. Gwaii Haanas, which translates to “Islands of Beauty” in Haida, is an ecological and cultural treasure.

The protection of Gwaii Haanas is thanks to the unique partnership between the Haida Nation and Government of Canada, as they have been working together for the last 30 years to contribute to conservation of Haida cultural heritage, healthy ecosystems, and to protect species-atrisk. The Archipelago Management Board (Haida Nation, Parks Canada and Fisheries and Oceans Canada), a recognized leader in cooperative management, is committed to protecting the cultural and ecological heritage of Gwaii Haanas for the enjoyment of future generations.

Gwaii Haanas is biodiverse and is often called Canada’s Galápagos. Many of the species in Gwaii Haanas and the Haida Gwaii archipelago are endemic (unique) and are found nowhere else in the world.

In fact, there are more unique subspecies on Haida Gwaii than in any other equal-sized area in Canada. Distinctive subspecies of Saw-whet Owl, Hairy Woodpecker, Steller’s Jay and Peale’s Peregrine Falcon are found.

Eleven species of mammals are native to Gwaii Haanas: Black Bear, Pine Marten, River Otter, Haida Ermine, Dusky Shrew, Silver-haired Bat, California Myotis, Keen’s Myotis, Little brown Bat and Deer Mouse. The eleventh species, the Dawson Caribou, became extinct in 1908.

Gwaii Haanas is internationally recognized for its seabird populations. Approximately 1.5 million seabirds from 12 species nest on the islands, including the Ancient Murrelet, a species-at-risk, for which Haida Gwaii is the only nesting location in Canada. Cassin’s Auklets and Rhinoceros Auklets also nest in globally significant populations. Haida Gwaii is known for its Storm Petrels and Pigeon Guillemots.

The marine area also teems with life. Twenty-three species of marine mammals inhabit the surrounding waters, including whales, dolphins and the largest colony of Steller’s sea lions on Canada’s West Coast. The sea otter was once plentiful but was hunted to extinction and only recently has been sighted again in the area.

There are more than 6,800 species of flora and fauna on the archipelago of Haida Gwaii.

To learn more about how Gwaii Haanas works to protect biodiversity follow @GwaiiHaanas on Facebook or visit: parks.canada.ca/gwaiihaanas-restoration

Submitted by Annie MacNeil and Mike Hughan-Blazic, from Gwaii Haanas