| Duu Guusd Heritage Site/Conservancy | |
|---|---|
  | |
| Location | Haida Gwaii,British Columbia,Canada |
| Coordinates | 53°50′N133°00′W / 53.833°N 133.000°W /53.833; -133.000 |
| Area | 227,712 ha (879.20 sq mi) |
| Designation | Conservancy |
| Established | March 23, 2008 |
| Governing body | BC Parks |
| Website | Duu Guusd Heritage Site/Conservancy |
Duu Guusd Heritage Site/Conservancy is aheritage site andconservancy located in the northwest corner ofGraham Island in theHaida Gwaii archipelago ofBritish Columbia,Canada. It was established on March 23, 2008 to protect the ecological integrity and cultural importance of the region. The conservancy is part of an archipelago-wide system of protected areas that includesGwaii Haanas National Park Reserve and Haida Heritage Site,Gwaii Haanas National Marine Conservation Area Reserve and Haida Heritage Site, and 17 other provincially protected areas.[2]
The terrestrial component of the heritage site/conservancy covers 143,593 hectares from the western side ofNaden Harbour to thePacific Ocean, and fromLangara Island atDixon Entrance to the northern end ofRennell Sound.[2] The marine/foreshore component of the heritage site/conservancy covers an area of 84,173 hectares.[2]Vladimir J. Krajina Ecological Reserve,[3] which protects most ofPort Chanal,[4] is completely surrounded by Duu Guusd Heritage Site/Conservancy.
The park features extensivefossil beds dating to theMesozoic era.[5]
The cultural heritage values in the heritage site/conservancy include opportunities for the ongoing continuance of Haida culture through traditional use of the area. Examples of traditional use within the park includetree bark harvesting,medicinal plant cultivation,fishing,hunting, andtotem erection.[2]
In addition, the heritage site/conservancy hosts 88 recorded archaeological sites that contain at least 491 known cultural artifacts, with likely hundreds more yet to be discovered.[2]
