Edéhzhíe
Edéhzhíe is the first Dene Indigenous Protected and Conserved Area in Canada. It is 14,218 km2 and is located in the Dehcho Region. It was established through a collaborative effort from the Dehcho First Nations and the Government of Canada. There is a current proposal to designate it as a National Wildlife Area. It was established because the Dehcho First Nations wanted to protect a part of their traditional territory and land. The area has great ecological, cultural and spiritual significance for the Dehcho and Tłichô Dene. It protects the headwaters of the watershed of the Dehcho region and supplies clean drinking water. The area contains three unique ecoregions including the Horn Plateau, the Hay River Lowlands, and the Great Slave Lake Plain. It also contains Mills Lake which was designated an Important Bird Area of Canada in 2014. Many species call the area home, including numerous at-risk species. This includes woodland caribou, wood bison, wolverines, peregrine falcons, short-eared owls, olive-sided flycatchers, common nighthawks, rusty blackbirds, yellow rails, and evening grosbeaks. The greater white-fronted goose occupies the area and is considered to be a keystone species as its habitat spans to the southern US and Mexico. The area is managed by the Dehcho First Nations and the Government of Canada under the 2018 Edéhzhíe Agreement. The Edéhzhíe Management Board will be formed and will be jointly appointed. Dehcho K’ehodi Guardians will be responsible for monitoring and stewardship of the land, patrols, research projects, and youth mentoring. Visitor access is not recommended.