Section 11 Caribou Conservation Agreement

Caribou are a threatened species in Alberta due to habitat decline from oil sands exploration and activity and increased predation from wolves. The Section 11 caribou conservation agreement was secured to protect caribou and their habitat under the federal Species at Risk Act. A four-year agreement was secured to 2022-2023 from Environment and Climate Change Canada with support from the University of Alberta for a caribou camp.

Mikisew has worked with Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation to develop an Indigenous stewardship plan that will feed into both the federal and provincial plans.

A request for proposal has been finalized with Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation to undertake a feasibility study for a greenhouse in Fort Chipewyan to support caribou habitat restoration and food security in the community. Our upcoming work includes:

• Feasibility study and business plan for a greenhouse
• Guardians program
• Indigenous habitat restoration standard
• Indigenous offsetting standard
• Caribou habitat restoration

In March 2023, caribou habitat restoration was piloted on a legacy seismic line in Kitaskino Nuwenëné Wildland Provincial Park. We relied on an excavator to try a few different restoration techniques and jumpstart restoration since it can be difficult for these areas to naturally regenerate. We hope to continue our restoration work in our traditional territories through our future Guardians program.