Human activities have dramatically altered the global ecosystems, and the effects are particularly noticeable in northern regions. Climate change is causing significant changes to the landscape and disrupting intact habitats, leading to the loss of biodiversity. This loss of biodiversity is a pressing concern that requires smart planning and thoughtful decisions.

Tsay Keh Dene Nation, a community in northern British Columbia, is facing this challenge. The nation is working with researchers from the University of Northern British Columbia, Chu Cho Environmental, and the Yellowstone to Yukon Conservation Initiative to develop a planning tool to identify areas of greatest conservation value. This tool will take into account the nation's conservation goals, key wildlife habitat, and the impact of climate change on the landscape, while also interweaving the community's values and priorities.

The project involves compiling data on wildlife habitat, such as moose, grizzly bear, and caribou, from various sources, including the provincial government, university researchers, and traditional ecological knowledge. Climate change data is also being used to identify areas that will serve as safe havens for wildlife as the planet warms.

The collaboration between the nation and the research team is centered on incorporating community and indigenous values, perspectives, and priorities into the conservation planning process. The end goal is for the nation to use the tool over the long term and continuously adapt and expand it.

The team also quantified the level of resistance that animals face when traveling across the landscape and identified crucial areas for targeted conservation efforts. This project will provide a foundation for informed land use decisions that support biodiversity and the community's needs into the future.