In the alpine and sub-alpine regions of northwestern North America, the Hoary Marmot is a large ground squirrel that calls the territory of the Tsay Keh Dene Nation in north central British Columbia its home. This species is of great importance to the nation, and the community is working to gain a better understanding of the current state of the marmot population in their territory.

Despite the significance of the Hoary Marmot, little information exists on their colony locations within the territory of the Tsay Keh Dene Nation. This lack of data makes it difficult to identify the key habitat features that support the marmots and to assess the overall health of the population.

To better understand the state of the marmot population, the nation is working with Chu Cho Environmental to gather information on the species' habitat and distribution. The team is reviewing available data on land cover, vegetation type, and topography to inform their fieldwork.

Community members have raised concerns that the marmot population may be in decline due to a number of factors, including predation, hunting, development, and climate change. However, without sufficient data, it is challenging to quantify the impact of these threats.

Kristen Marini, an ecologist with Chu Cho Environmental, is leading the study on marmot habitat. She notes that the data being collected is difficult to obtain but critical in helping to understand the requirements of this species and support future research efforts.

Nathan French, an environmental scientist with Chu Cho Environmental, is assisting with the marmot surveys. The team scans for marmot activity from a good vantage point, and when a marmot is located, they record the location, behavior, and habitat information, including vegetation, boulders, and proximity to water sources. The team also collects habitat data at sites where marmots are not present, which helps to build a larger sample size of data on alpine habitat.

The field data will be combined with high-resolution satellite imagery to build a model that identifies the habitat features associated with marmots. This model will then help to identify other potential marmot habitats within the territory of the Tsay Keh Dene Nation. By understanding where marmots occur, land managers can make informed decisions to protect the species and its habitat.

The study on Hoary Marmot habitat is underway, and the findings will provide valuable insights into the status and needs of this vital species in the region. The community and the team of scientists are committed to working together to ensure that the marmots are protected for future generations.