Conservation Values

Connectivity

Darkwoods directly connects to an existing network of parks and wildlife management areas, creating a contiguous protected area of more than 250,000 acres (100,000 hectares) enough for wide-ranging animals like Mountain Caribou and Grizzly Bear to roam freely. The conservation of Darkwoods also protects the integrity of the internationally renowned Creston Valley wetlands, located directly adjacent to the property’s southern limits.

Habitat

Darkwoods supports a tremendous range of biologically rich habitats: sub-alpine meadows, rare old-growth forests, serene valley bottoms, productive creeks and lakefront lands. These habitats shelter a myriad of wildlife, including bears, caribou, cougar, lynx and moose. The conservation of key habitats in Darkwoods helps establish a cross-border wilderness corridor for a number of wide-ranging carnivores, including a key population of Grizzly Bear. Most notably, Darkwoods provides crucial winter habitat for the only remaining Mountain Caribou herd in the region.

Species

Darkwoods is home to 29 provincially-listed at-risk species, nine of which are of national concern. In particular, the South Selkirk herd of Mountain Caribou—which is listed as an endangered species in the U.S.—is critically dependent on Darkwoods for their winter range. Other key species of concern include Grizzly Bear, Bull Trout, Western Skink and the nationally-endangered Western Screech Owl.

Rare Species of Darkwoods (PDF 97kb)

Forest

Darkwoods contains some of the most diverse forests in British Columbia, including priceless old-growth stands of the vanishing inland temperate rainforest. Because they receive most of their moisture from snow, these “snow forests” are biologically unique, yet we know very little about them. Conserving Darkwoods provides an unprecedented opportunity to expand our knowledge about one of the world’s rarest ecosystems.

Freshwater

Darkwoods plays a critical role in preserving freshwater systems throughout the South Selkirk Mountains, influencing 17 separate watersheds, numerous streams and over 50 lakes. All this water not only provides sustenance to the forests and animals on Darkwoods, it provides valuable habitat for a plethora of birds, insects, reptiles, amphibians and fish.

Climate

Because of the great scale and topographical diversity of Darkwoods, animals and plants will be able to adapt to global climate change by migrating to different latitudes or elevations as temperatures fluctuates. As well, the forest represents an immense carbon store in its soil and trees. Conservative estimates suggest that over 2 million tonnes of carbon are stored in Darkwoods, equal to the annual carbon footprint of over 500,000 Canadians.

Slideshow

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Featured Species

• Mountain Caribou
• Grizzly Bear
• Western Screech Owl
• Bull Trout