Kusawa Territorial Park Research Paper

Kusawa Territorial Park – Yukon

Table of Contents:

1 Introduction

2 Landscape Features

3 Ecological Features
• Plants
• Fish
• Mammals
• Birds
• Species At Risk

4 Human Uses

Introduction: Kusawa Territorial Park was initially recognized under chapter 10 of the First Nations Final Agreements of both Carcross/Tagish (CFTN) and Kwanlin Dun (KDFN). The Aishihik and Champagne First Nation (CAFN) traditional territory also extends into the park area, though the park is not stated in their final agreement, they are members in the planning and management of the park. The goals for the park are to preserve an area of cultural significance to the three affiliated First Nations, recognize the conventional and modern uses of the park by first Nations, promote the use and awareness of the natural, cultural and historical values of the park, understand the modern recreational uses of the park including tourism and to offer economic opportunities to First Nations [].

Landscape Features: Kusawa Territorial Park is located 60 km west of Whitehorse; it encompasses the area of 3082 km². The park is bounded by Primrose Lake in the east, Dezadeash Lake in the west, and the British Columbian-Yukon border in

The main feature of the park is a large lake named after the park itself “Kusawa Lake”. The land of Kusawa Territorial Park is abundant in exposing bedrock because the land surface is relatively high and the soil is thinly distributed over the land. With the high mineral concentration in the park it was subjected to map notation in 1972 denoting the lake and surrounding area as a possible park area, this discouraged mineral exploration in the area. As rocks are exposed, they erode at different rates, and produce different soil characteristics. The rocks in Kusawa Park are characterized by their low calcium level, this results in the soil and run off being