Nahanni National Park
Country
Canada
Inscribed in
1978
Criteria
(vii)
(viii)
The conservation outlook for this site has been assessed as "good with some concerns" in the latest assessment cycle. Explore the Conservation Outlook Assessment for the site below. You have the option to access the summary, or the detailed assessment.
Located along the South Nahanni River, one of the most spectacular wild rivers in North America, this park contains deep canyons and huge waterfalls, as well as a unique limestone cave system. The park is also home to animals of the boreal forest, such as wolves, grizzly bears and caribou. Dall's sheep and mountain goats are found in the park's alpine environment. © UNESCO
Summary
2025 Conservation Outlook
Finalised on
11 أكتوبر 2025
Good with some concerns
Current state and trend of VALUES
Low Concern
Overall THREATS
Overall PROTECTION and MANAGEMENT
Full assessment
Description of values
Exceptional natural beauty
Criterion
(vii)
Nahʔą Dehé (the South Nahanni River) is one of the most spectacular wild rivers in North America, with deep canyons, huge waterfalls, and spectacular karst terrain, cave systems and hot springs. The river winds through spectacular karst terrain, creating an intricate network of caves, sinkholes, and remarkable geological formations. Hot springs scattered throughout the park enhance the region's extraordinary geological diversity, providing unique habitats that support diverse ecosystems. Notably, the geological and geomorphological features prominently displayed along the Nahanni River include striking meanders of ancient rivers. These meanders, dramatically elevated high above current river levels, vividly illustrate the dynamic geological processes shaping the landscape over millions of years (McCurdy, 2007). Exposure of geologic and geomorphologic features includes the meanders of ancient rivers, now raised high above present river levels (World Heritage Committee, 2018).
Exceptional representation of on-going geological processes
Criterion
(viii)
In Nahanni National Park, there is exceptional representation of on-going geological processes, notably fluvial erosion, tectonic uplift, folding and canyon development, wind erosion, karst and pseudo-karst landforms, and a variety of hot springs. The major geologic and geomorphologic features provide a combination of geological processes that are globally unique (World Heritage Committee, 2018). Nahanni offers the greatest diversity of geomorphic erosional landforms seen in any Canadian park, due to a nearly unique mixture of (i) alpine glacial sculpture on granitic rock and softer sedimentary rocks; (ii) a central zone of never-glaciated terrain (very rare in Canada) that displays three magnificent examples of antecedent meandering river canyons with paleocutoff meanders along the South Nahanni River plus many lesser canyons on tributaries; remnants of multiple glacial lakes caused by downstream blockages in the eastern zone are seen as deep and colourful cliffs and hoodoos of unconsolidated sediments in this zone; (iii) an eastern zone that was repeatedly overrun by ice of the continental Laurentide Ice Sheet; glacial scour was weaker than in the alpine zone but erratic rocks from the Shield 400 km to the east are abundant. Along and around the juncture of the central and eastern zones are the most accentuated limestone karstlands known anywhere in the arctic and sub-arctic regions of Earth, including giant sinkholes, poljes, karst corridors, the finest arctic relict caves that also contain long records of paleoclimate and ecology, plus dramatically rapid modern drainage through underlying cave systems that are inaccessible.
Biodiversity
The park reserve is the only known location of a rare and an endemic plant species: The Nahanni Aster. The diversity of vegetation is far greater than any other area of comparable size in the Northwest Territories. The vegetation community is predominantly boreal forest, with a transition from lowland wet areas to alpine tundra. Over 230 genera and 700 species of vascular plants have been documented, which provides important habitat for 42 different species of mammals such as bears, wolves, woodland caribou (northern mountain population), Dall Sheep, mountain goats, moose, and wood bison. Further, the park reserve includes a diversity of birds with a mixture of cordilleran, boreal and great plain species. Sixteen fish species have been recorded within the South Nahanni watershed including three species that are unique to the region: spoonhead sculpin, trout-perch, and spottail shiner Hibernacula for two endangered myotis bat species were discovered and they are currently the northern most known bat hibernacula (Parks Canada, 2020).
An outstanding landscape of high ecological integrity
Nahanni National Park (and the larger South Nahanni River watershed) exhibits a globally outstanding landscape of high ecological integrity. Due to its remoteness, the ecosystem appears to function naturally with intact assemblage of native species, natural movements of wide-ranging wildlife, natural river dynamics, etc. It also provides extraordinary wilderness experiences. Nahʔą Dehé (the South Nahanni River) is considered perhaps the world’s most iconic canoe trip and the Cirque of the Unclimbables (where the Lotus Flower Tower is located) is one of the world’s most iconic rock climbing areas. Nahanni National Park offers important cultural and spiritual value to Dene and Metis people as well as recreational values to visitors. Dene Culture is intimately linked to the ecology of Naha Dehe, is respected in this place of mystery, spirituality and healing (Parks Canada, 2020).
Overlaps with distinct and shared territories of several Indigenous communities
The park reserve overlaps with distinct and shared territories of several Indigenous communities with the land, water and resources in Nahanni sustaining generations of Dehcho Dene and Métis, Nahʔą Dehé Dene, Sahtu Dene and Métis, Kaska Dena and the Acho Dene Koe First Nation. It is recognized that each Indigenous community use their own specific names for landmarks, waterways and resources within the park reserve (Parks Canada, 2021). The coexistence of multiple Indigenous jurisdictions within the park also highlights the diversity of knowledge systems, governance structures, and linguistic traditions that shape understandings and stewardship of the land. These place-based naming systems are not only markers of cultural identity but also reflect layered histories of mobility, trade, intermarriage, and shared resource use among Indigenous nation (Pitkanen, 2014).
Assessment information
There are threats to natural ecological and geological processes as a result of climate change, but this extends beyond the site level. Threats from existing mine sites and exploration activities exist, especially due to their upstream location in relation to the World Heritage site. The Tungsten legacy and tailings pond stability presents a safety and environmental concern that requires careful monitoring. The primary concern of these activities therefore are the possible impacts to water quality in the World Heritage site.
Water-borne & other effluent Pollution
(Effluent quality at Prairie Creek mine)
Outside site
Northern Zinc has all necessary permits for their mine site including a water licence to allow discharge into Prairie Creek, a direct tributary to the South Nahanni River (IUCN Consultation, 2020). Under their licence there is a requirement to manage water outflows from an inactive mine portal. This requires storage and treatment prior to discharge. Northern Zinc have tried different treatment options but have experienced difficulty meeting their effluent quality criteria outlined in their water licence. There have been predicable seasonal exceedances of effluent. Water quality monitoring is another ongoing issue as the mine site is remote and their care and maintenance operations are seasonal. Government regulators are monitoring the situation and working with the developer to find solutions for water treatment and monitoring. Parks Canada is not a regulator for the mine site, but works closely with other government Agencies to support outcomes for protecting values in the World Heritage site and the larger Nahanni National Park Reserve. Monitoring has reportedly shown there have not been impacts to water quality within Nahanni National Park Reserve and the World Heritage site (IUCN Consultation, 2020). Ongoing monitoring is therefore important to ensure this continues to be the case and there is a need to remain vigilant. To compliment the baseline aquatic monitoring program project from 2014, in 2023 an aquatic effects monitoring program was started (NWT Research Database, 2023), however the current status and results are not clear.
Mining & Quarrying
(Mineral exploration, and maintenance at two non-producing mines)
Outside site
There are currently two non-producing mine sites and one exploration camp in the South Nahanni Watershed (IUCN Consultation, 2020). The most significant and immediate concern lies with Tungsten where tailings have accumulated. The structures holding tailings have expanded numerous times over the project and now require ongoing monitoring to address concerns about their safety and stability. The tailings are immediately adjacent to the Flat River which flows into Nahanni National Park Reserve. The Prairie Creek mine is in care and maintenance. Exploration activities associated with mineral leases held by Northern Zinc and Selwyn Chihong Ltd are outside the boundaries of the World Heritage site and are relatively small scale but downstream implications are a concern. Collectively the primary concern as a result of mineral exploration and care and maintenance activities are potential impacts to water quality in the World Heritage site (State Party of Canada, 2006).
Roads, Trails & Railroads
(Year-round access into Prairie Creek Mine site)
Inside site
, Scattered(5-15%)
Outside site
Access to the Prairie Creek mine site was permitted by a winter road, which crosses the main karst belt upstream of ‘Bubbling Springs’ and then follows a varied route through the Ram River headwaters and across a divide into the Prairie Creek watershed. Canadian Zinc Corporation (now NorZinc Corporation) acquired the Prairie Creek mine in 1995 and received licences and permits for full mine operation with a winter road. In 2014 NorZinc applied for permits to construct and operate an all-season road in place of the permitted winter road. In November 2019 this application was approved by the Mackenzie Valley Land and Water Review Board, Parks Canada, and First Nation elected representatives in Fort Simpson and Nahanni Butte. The Nahanni National Park Reserve Draft Management Plan of 2020 indicates (in Map #3) that the line of three karst poljes immediately upstream of Bubbling Springs springs are sites of exceptional geomorphological significance (Parks Canada, 2020). The winter road followed a narrow natural causeway between the First (furthest upstream) and Second poljes. There was a major landslide (>1 million tonnes, caused by melt of permafrost in thick silts on top of karst) at some time between August 2007 and September 2008 (noted by surveyors en route to the mine). The slide has compelled this part of the road to be re-routed downstream of the springs, where a bridge must be installed. The new route threatens karst aquifers draining the main karst belt and SW sector of Ram Plateau (IUCN Consultation, 2020). The aquatic fauna of these aquifers have never been studied but, from precedent elsewhere, will almost certainly include new species. Passage of heavy haulage vehicles over the aquifers will be a serious hazard to them. The upgraded road would provide year-round access for hunters/poachers to sites used by woodland caribou, grizzly bears, and Dall’s sheep, and additional risk of human-caused mortality to grizzly bears. As of 2024, the road has not been completed, but Phase I construction (known as the Pioneer Winter Road) was finalized in 2023 and a recent financial investment from the Government of Canada confirms that plans for Phase II remain active and are moving toward construction. The Government of Canada has also hinted at increased eco-tourism opportunities in Nahanni National Park associated with the construction of the road, which could contribute to ecological disturbance through increased human activity, leading to habitat degradation, pollution, and the spread of invasive species. Additionally, increased traffic and tourism could strain local infrastructure and reduce the quality of the wilderness experience, ultimately affecting the conservation goals of the site. NorZinc has been tasked with developing a Rare Plant Management Plan and an Invasive Species Management Plan and the successful implementation of these plans and associated mitigation strategies will be critical to ensuring environmental protection (GNWT, 2024). Ongoing monitoring and adaptive management strategies for wildlife will be critical to ensuring minimal disturbance to sensitive species.
Changes in Temperature Regimes, Changes in Precipitation & Hydrological Regime
(Climate change)
Inside site
, Throughout(>50%)
Outside site
The current management plan lists climate change as the primary stressor for the site's natural environment (Parks Canada, 2021). Data gathered through research and monitoring is showing that climate change is influencing fluctuations in water and fire cycles. The impacts of climate change are a concern for the park reserve and difficult to mitigate at the park level. Over the next ten years it will be important to consider the remote nature of the park reserve and effects from climate change, especially receding glaciers, deteriorating permafrost and fluctuations in weather patterns, which can result in inherent logistical, financial, and engineering challenges related to long-term management of the site (Parks Canada, 2021). Threats linked to climate change include permafrost degradation (Ford, 2010), increased frequency/severity of wildfires, changes to temperature and precipitation (which have implications for stream hydrology, biodiversity – especially in alpine ecosystems), reduced glacier mass balances, and forest insect outbreaks (IUCN Consultation, 2020). There are occasional natural landslides in bedrocks and unconsolidated glacial, etc. deposits occasionally throughout the area. Melting of permafrost (Ford, 2010) that now appears to be widespread above 500m asl may further contribute to the frequency in future. Over the last century, northwestern Canada experienced some of the highest rates of tropospheric warming globally, which caused glaciers in the region to rapidly retreat. In the Mackenzie and Selwyn mountain region, varying greenhouse gas emission scenarios predicts 85% to over 97% glacier volume loss by the end of the 21st century. The loss of glaciers from this region will have profound impacts on local ecosystems and communities that rely on meltwater from glacierized catchments (Hawkins et al. 2023).
Future mining activities adjacent to the park and associated roads pose the highest potential threat to the values of the World Heritage site. Timing of full development of mining projects are unknown and difficult to predict. The existing projects are unlikely to reach full production in the next 5 to 10 years. Existing residual effects from mining and mineral exploration activities has been identified as a concern. These projects occur in jurisdictions that have some of the highest standards for protecting people and the environment. In consideration of the unpredictability and unknown timing of mining activities the threat can be considered data deficient. Increased access to the remote wilderness of Nahanni National Park could lead to increased visitation and tourism that may pose risks such as habitat degradation, pollution, and decreased outstanding natural beauty through the development of human-built infrastructure.
Mining & Quarrying
(Future mining and associated roads)
Outside site
Resource extraction projects and associated access roads may appear in the next 5-10 years. The cumulative impacts from these activities may threaten wildlife and water quality. However, an impact assessment and regulatory review is required for these projects under the legislation of jurisdiction. The Review Boards must coordinate with all Parties to determine the extent of impacts and threats and determine if the projects can proceed. This typically includes developers, Indigenous organizations, non-profits, communities, and government agencies. At the conclusion of this process a decision is made about whether a project proceeds or not and if so what mitigations may be necessary. The Review Board in their assessment of the project cannot allow a project to proceed when there are significant environmental impacts or public concern. It is also noted that these projects and associated roads are outside the World Heritage site. Furthermore, with Parks Canada a regulator for portions of the roads, they can have direct management authority to mitigate impacts. Therefore some of the threats posed by these developments may be able to be mitigated. This threat rating could therefore be lowered slightly in future.
Involvement of stakeholders and rightsholders, including indigenous peoples and local communities, in decision-making processes
While there have been efforts to involve Indigenous communities in the governance of Nahanni National Park Reserve, Parks Canada continues to face challenges in fully incorporating Indigenous rights and perspectives in key decision-making processes. Barriers such as limited consultation, inadequate recognition of traditional knowledge, and insufficient resource allocation continue to hinder meaningful participation. Improving governance requires strengthening partnerships, enhancing transparency, and ensuring that Indigenous rights and local knowledge are prioritized in park management decisions. The new Parks Canada Indigenous Stewardship Policy offers hope for greater collaboration and the incorporation of Indigenous values into park governance (Parks Canada, 2024). Additionally, an agreement was signed in 2022 between the Nahʔą Dehé Dene Band, Dehcho First Nations and Parks Canada to give the Nahʔą Dehé Dene more control over the Nahanni National Park reserve, though Parks Canada will still have a role in managing the park. The agreement also includes funding commitments for new infrastructure in Nahanni Butte — a park office, a tourism centre, and an elders's lodge. It also provides funding for the Nahʔą Dehé K'ehodi (the Guardians on the Land program). According to a news release from Parks Canada, the aim of the agreement is also to help "enhance the relationship in the context of respect and reconciliation" (Dulewich, 2022). The expansive territory and overlapping responsibilities across conservation, cultural protection, and Indigenous co-management require a much greater investment inhuman and material resources to ensure the park's ecological integrity and effective stewardship
Legal framework
The legal framework of Nahanni National Park Reserve, established under the Canada National Parks Act of 2000 and the Parks Canada Agency Act of 1998, provides a strong foundation for protecting the park’s ecological and cultural integrity. Canada maintains strong conservation laws that ensure that management decisions are guided by principles of conservation and stewardship. However, while the legal framework governing the park is well-supported, external threats from beyond park boundaries, such as industrial activities or development pressures, remain beyond the scope of current legal mechanisms, posing challenges to comprehensive ecosystem management.
Governance arrangements
While Parks Canada’s management framework, guided by the Canada National Parks Act and supported by Indigenous involvement, has led to significant conservation achievements, challenges remain in fully integrating Indigenous rights, perspectives, and traditional knowledge.
Integration into local, regional and national planning systems (including sea/landscape connectivity)
Challenges remain in achieving full landscape connectivity due to external pressures such as resource development, land use, and infrastructure projects that intersect park boundaries. Efforts to strengthen coordination between Parks Canada, Indigenous communities, and regional planning bodies are critical to ensuring Nahanni is effectively integrated into broader conservation strategies and to maintaining ecological connectivity across landscapes. Additional protection for the South Nahanni watershed came in 2012 with the creation of the 4895 sq km Nááts’įhch’oh National Park Reserve immediately adjacent and upstream of the expanded Nahanni National Park Reserve. Nahanni and Nááts’įhch’oh National Park Reserves protect 93% of the watershed which benefits the World Heritage Site values.
Boundaries
While the park was expanded in 2009, the park's boundaries still do not fully encompass key areas of ecological importance, such as important wildlife corridors and traditional Indigenous lands, leading to fragmented conservation efforts. When the site was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1978 it was considered of sufficient size to protect its values. However, it was noted that it would be desirable to incorporate the entire upstream watershed in the World Heritage site (IUCN, 1978). Ecological criteria were used in the 2009 expansion including the range of 500 grizzly bears which is thought to be a viable population as part of a larger meta-population. The national park now also includes the spectacular karst areas of the Ram Plateau (the largest Arctic and Sub-Arctic karst area in the world), the Ram River watershed and the Cirque of the Unclimbables. The new park protects roughly 75% of the entire 38,000 sq km watershed.
Overlapping international designations
N/A
Implementation of World Heritage Committee decisions and recommendations
In 2006, the World Heritage Committee encouraged the State Party of Canada “to proceed with the expansion of Nahanni National Park to protect the entire South Nahanni watershed and the karstlands of the Ram Plateau”. The area of the national park was expanded in 2009, however no boundary modifications were applied to the World Heritage site. No recent decisions and recommendations are applicable.
Climate action
Nahanni is threatened by climate change, including through permafrost degradation and wildfires. Parks Canada monitors the park but more robust science, data collection, and mitigation efforts may be needed, along with an appropriate overarching strategy. Research and monitoring information, Dene Knowledge and active management strategies will be essential to maintain ecological integrity in Nahʔą Dehé. According to the current management plan, there will be an emphasis on creating efficiencies in the ecological integrity monitoring program. This includes strategically reviewing the current monitoring program, using new and innovative technology to measure fish presence in streams and ensuring that the information gaps for woodland caribou (Northern Mountain population) are addressed over the next five years. Parks Canada will work with the Nahʔą Dehé Consensus Team to set management priorities for cultural resources in the park reserve including outlining relevant criteria. This includes developing a monitoring plan for cultural resources that considers research and monitoring opportunities as a result of climate change. The cultural resource monitoring plan will be developed within five years of this park management plan being approved and implemented over the life of this plan (Parks Canada, 2021). The current status of these efforts is unknown.
Management plan and overall management system
Parks Canada released the new Nahanni National Park Reserve of Canada Management Plan in 2021 (Parks Canada, 2021) and it includes significant updates and improvements from the previous plan. The new plan improves governance by enhancing Indigenous involvement and emphasizing ecological conservation. However, challenges like boundary limitations and external threats remain, requiring further implementation and stronger integration into regional and national conservation planning.
Law enforcement
Nahanni National Park Reserve is extremely remote in nature and does not require the same intensive law enforcement as highly visited and easily accessible protected areas. However, the relatively small amount of resources dedicated to law enforcement in the park may not be adequate. Nahanni National Park Reserve has one Park Warden located in Fort Simpson. Additional law enforcement support is provided from Broader Parks Canada resources as required. These patrols are coordinated through work planning with Parks Canada resources throughout northern and western Canada.
Sustainable finance
While Parks Canada makes efforts to allocate resources for operational costs in Nahanni, the vast size and limited infrastructure of the park require additional financial support to effectively conserve the region.
Staff capacity, training and development
Increasing staff capacity and ongoing professional development, particularly in areas such as ecological monitoring, cultural knowledge, and emergency response, would enhance the park's ability to address complex conservation issues. Indigenous guardian staff would be appropriate in the context of Nahanni and likely increase governance of the protected area. Parks Canada has hiring programs designed to promote Indigenous staff and encourage the development of Indigenous employees. Nahanni also gives preference to local hires to ensure that skills that are built are retained in the local region (State Party of Canada, 2024).
Education and interpretation programmes
Parks Canada does an excellent job of interpreting the national park and World Heritage Site to visitors. Interpretation and education programs are provided to Park visitors on site at Gahnįhthah Mie (Rabbittkettle Lake), Virginia Falls and Nahanni Butte during the summer. The World Heritage site Plaque is located at Náįlįcho (Virginia falls) and it is interpreted to visitors on site. Additionally, an agreement was signed in 2022 between the Nahʔą Dehé Dene Band, Dehcho First Nations and Parks Canada to give the Nahʔą Dehé Dene more control over the Nahanni National Park reserve, though Parks Canada will still have a role in managing the park. The agreement also includes funding commitments for new infrastructure in Nahanni Butte — a park office, a tourism centre, and an elders's lodge (Dulewich, 2022).
Tourism and visitation management
Visitation is relatively low in Nahanni, and is managed very effectively with about 1,000 visitors annually (State Party of Canada, 2024). Interpretation is provided through various media which include website, print materials and displays, as well as through staff. Visitor surveys have shown high levels of satisfaction with interpretation (State of the Park Assessment 2018).
Sustainable use
Nahanni balances conservation with cultural preservation through collaborative management with the Dehcho First Nations, habitat protection, and responsible tourism. According to the current management plan Parks Canada will work with Dehcho, Kaska Dena, and Sahtu Dene and Métis to update the existing harvesting protocols (Parks Canada, 2021). Subsistence wild plant collection and subsistence hunting are the relevant natural resources uses within the site (State Party of Canada, 2023). A Cultural Resource Values Statement is to be completed by 2025 and cultural resource indicators are to be rated in the next State of the Park Assessment.
Monitoring
The current management plan outlines strong monitoring practices and builds on a track record of monitoring ecological and cultural resources in the park. There are also plans for a strategic review of the current monitoring program, however this does not seem to have occurred to date. To improve the ecological integrity monitoring program, the current targets are:
- Monitoring workshops with Indigenous communities are held every two years.
- Work with Indigenous co-operative management partners to support a community-led Guardian
program by 2025.
- Monitoring stations are established to represent all ecoregions added in the park reserve by 2025.
- All guidelines in the ecological integrity monitoring plan are met over the next ten years.
- Monitoring workshops with Indigenous communities are held every two years.
- Work with Indigenous co-operative management partners to support a community-led Guardian
program by 2025.
- Monitoring stations are established to represent all ecoregions added in the park reserve by 2025.
- All guidelines in the ecological integrity monitoring plan are met over the next ten years.
Research
A listing of research conducted specifically in Nahanni National Park which is relevant to the World Heritage site is not available. It was noted that new research was conducted prior to the expansion of the Park and that in the International Polar Year, research in Northern Parks was highlighted. On the Parks Canada's website only a general description of research is noted. While the defining principles of this responsibility have not changed over the years, Parks Canada has been applying new tools. Indigenous Traditional Knowledge plays an increasingly important role in cooperatively managing research activities. Innovative survey methods on the ground, combined with the latest imaging technology in space, are providing long-term insights into the diverse array of ecological systems within the parks system. Research in Nahanni is ongoing but there is a general lack of research given the remote nature of the park. More ecological and cultural research could help bolster the effective management of the site, however there are ongoing efforts in this regard.
Effectiveness of management system and governance in addressing threats outside the site
The most serious threat from outside the site originates from potential full-scale mining operations within the areas not included in the national park. While the Park itself has strong protections, the WH site is at risk from upstream activities that may lead to water contamination and wildlife disturbances. Furthermore, impacts from climate change are likely to increase in the future. Without a clear climate action strategy, there is further potential to enhance coordinated efforts to address climate fluctuations wherever possible to minimize the negative impacts on the ecosystems and species. Efforts to strengthen coordination between Parks Canada, Indigenous communities, and regional planning bodies are critical to ensuring Nahanni is effectively integrated into broader conservation strategies and to maintaining ecological connectivity across landscapes.
Effectiveness of management system and governance in addressing threats inside the site
The 2016 State of the Parks Report concluded the ecological integrity indicators were good to fair and that the condition was stable. The 2018 assessment concluded that most of the management objectives were met (State of the Park Assessment, 2018) and the ecological integrity indicators were good to fair and that the condition was stable. The 2021 management plan outlines a comprehensive and strong management plan based on the latest science and guidance from protected area expertise around the world.
Overall protection and management of the site is mostly effective, however, improving relationships with Indigenous rights-holders not involved in cooperative management must be a priority. Impacts Benefits Agreements can ensure economic benefits flow to Indigenous communities. Developments that occur outside of the World Heritage site and the wider Nahanni National Park Reserve, pose the most serious threat to the values of the site, including impacts from mining and climate change. Parks Canada’s management strategies prioritize the protection of the park’s natural and cultural values, supported by the current 2021 Park Management Plan, however the updated status of the ambitious objectives of the management plan are needed to comprehensively assess management effectiveness. Due to its vast and remote landscape and limited road access, Nahanni National Park Reserve faces challenges in infrastructure development. The park's shelters, scientific research monitoring stations and other supporting facilities are limited and widely dispersed, making it difficult to support consistent on-site operations. Seasonal accessibility constraints, harsh weather conditions, and the logistical difficulties of transporting equipment further exacerbate these limitations.
Good practice examples
Nahanni is subject to Parks Canada's new Indigenous Stewardship Policy, which is a "best practice" example of coordinating and collaborating with Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities for park management. The new policy reflects what Indigenous Peoples have said is needed to strengthen Indigenous connections with protected lands, waters and ice within their traditional territories, treaty lands and ancestral homelands (Parks Canada, 2024).
Exceptional natural beauty
Good
Trend
Stable
Nahanni National Park World Heritage site, surrounded by the larger Nahanni National Park Reserve, is a large wilderness with very few permanent human inhabitants or dwellings. The superlative landscapes are generally very robust. There are only around 1,000 visitors each year, arriving by floatplane and canoeing out of the Park (State Party of Canada, 2024).
Exceptional representation of on-going geological processes
Low Concern
Trend
Deteriorating
From a physical geographic perspective, the concerns are limited to impacts to permafrost, slope stability as a result of climate change, and potential threats posed by future development of mines at Tungsten and Prairie Creek. The 2009 State of the Park Report noted that the glacier mass balance had decreased by 30% in the last 26 years (State of the Park Report, 2009). Future climate projections under varying greenhouse gas emission scenarios predicts 85% to over 97% glacier volume loss by the end of the 21st century in the Mackenzie and Selwyn mountain ranges, which partially overlap with the site (Hawkins et al. 2023). However glacier meltwater from beyond the site boundaries may also impact the watershed overall.
Assessment of the current state and trend of World Heritage values
Deteriorating
Nahanni National Park Reserve encompasses a vast and remote wilderness, characterized by dramatic canyons, waterfalls, karst formations, and boreal forest ecosystems. Human presence within the park is minimal, with no permanent settlements and only limited infrastructure. The park’s superlative and largely undisturbed landscapes are generally resilient to low levels of human use, owing to their natural robustness and relative inaccessibility. Visitor numbers remain low, with approximately 1,000 people entering the park annually—most of whom arrive by floatplane and exit via multi-day canoe expeditions along the South Nahanni River. This low level of visitation helps preserve the ecological integrity of the region, but also presents challenges for public engagement, infrastructure development, and long-term monitoring. While direct human impact is currently limited, key concerns relate to external pressures. Climate change poses a significant long-term threat, potentially altering hydrological regimes, permafrost stability, and wildlife migration patterns. Additionally, the potential development of mineral extraction activities near the park's boundaries raises concerns about transboundary pollution, habitat fragmentation, and cumulative effects on both ecological and cultural values of the area.
Assessment of the current state and trend of other important biodiversity values
Data Deficient
Data Deficient
The impact of Prairie Creek mine and its long access road pose possible threats to the habitats of grizzly bear, woodland caribou and Dall's sheep. However there is insufficient data available to accurately assess the current status and trend of all other important biodiversity that is present at the site. Local management of Dall's sheep delivered independently by the guide outfitters in the Mackenzie Mountains appears to contribute to maintaining a population of males that has not been adversely affected by subsistence harvesting within the park and selective hunting in the region. The resilience of this management strategy may be challenged by environmental changes associated with rapid warming in northern mountain environments (Karabatsos et al. 2024). The development of the draft management plan for the Nahanni Aster is a positive development to enhance protection of the endemic flower, occurring in only seven known subpopulations in the NNPR (Parks Canada, 2021b).
Assessment of the current state and trend of other important values
Low Concern
Improving
The increasing recognition and integration of indigenous peoples in the management of the site is commendable and will likely continue to be strengthened by the national level policy developments i.e. the Indigenous Stewardship Policy (Parks Canada, 2024). In collaboration with a diverse group of Indigenous leaders, Parks Canada developed a policy to better support Indigenous stewardship at places Parks Canada plays a role in administering. Site-level action to fulfil the ambition of the agreement signed between Nahʔą Dehé Dene Band, Dehcho First Nations and Parks Canada is critical to ensure the cooperative management model is successful for all stakeholders.
Additional information
Wilderness and iconic features,
Cultural identity and sense of belonging
The 2010 Park management Plan states "A UNESCO World heritage Site, Naha Dehe touches and inspires people who may never dip paddles into the river.... resonates in the hearts and minds of all Canadians and people of the world." In his 2017 book 'The Magnificent Nahanni: the struggle to protect a wild place', author and long-time campaigner for the park, Professor Gordon Nelson, writes that "..the River is the stuff of legend and awe-inspiring reality. River rafters see and feel the ghosts of the past: rare cabins left by long-gone prospectors and trappers, with Indigenous still traveling the lower river. Yet the wild predominates: the river's rush; colourful flowers, birds, butterflies; caribou and wolf; vast...forests, upland prairie and tundra; waterfalls, cliffs, clefts, canyons, caves..."
Outdoor recreation and tourism
Rock climbing, mountaineering, canoeing, hill walking, caving, camping.
Wilderness and iconic features
Several sites as well as the overall area have spiritual value for Dehcho. The 2010 Management plan and successor 2021 plan state that Dene Culture is intimately linked to the ecology of Naha Dehe, is respected in this place of mystery, spirituality and healing.
A cooperative and comprehensive study of these values with Indigenous communities using Traditional Knowledge would be important to properly assess this.
Carbon sequestration
Due to its large size and diverse ecological gradients, Nahanni offers significant ecological resilience in the face of climate change.
The key benefit is the recognition and protection of superb river, glacial and karst landscapes that host a range of boreal forest ecozones, plus taiga, tundra and alpine desert faunal and floral assemblages. These provide outstanding opportunities for wilderness experiences that will have very little or no adverse environmental impact.
| № | Organization | Brief description of Active Projects | Website |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Parks Canada | Ongoing conservations projects include: - Invasive & rare plant monitoring* - Forest bird community monitoring - Forest disturbance (fire/insects) monitoring (led by NRCAN) - Bat monitoring* - Wildlife Scat Index* - Fish occupancy monitoring - Ice phenology monitoring - Benthic Invertebrates Community Index - Water Quality Index (conducted in partnership with ECCC) - Hydrology monitoring* - Glacier extent and mass balance monitoring (led by NRCAN/GSC) - Collared pika monitoring* - Alpine vegetation monitoring* - Growing season index - Caribou DNA - Remote camera sampling to monitor potential impacts of increased road activity on caribou and other wildlife - Weather/climate monitoring (led by ECCC) *new or revised program still in development |
References
| № | References |
|---|---|
| 1 |
Dulewich, J. (2022). New Nahanni agreement signals historic step to Indigenous land governance. CBC News. Published online 3 October 2022. Available at: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/nahanni-agreement-indi…
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| 2 |
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