Several governments vowed Wednesday they’re committed to working together to protect the Chasàn Chuà/McIntyre Creek area of Whitehorse.

They have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) pledging to establish an official protected area boundary for McIntyre Creek, determining a protected area designation and identifying a governance model for managing the area.

The parties are the Yukon government, Kwanlin Dün First Nation (KDFN), Ta’an Kwäch’än Council, the City of Whitehorse and Parks Canada.

McIntyre Creek, an area spanning approximately 4,600 hectares from Fish Lake to the Yukon River, is home to an abundance of wildlife.

The city has committed to establishing McIntyre Creek Park in the 2040 Official Community Plan.

To support this effort, YG introduced new protections for the McIntyre Creek area in April 2023.

The protections included an expansion of a previous ban on staking in the area under the Quartz Mining Act and the establishment of an administrative reserve to guide land use decisions.

Through the MOU, the parties agree to determine the next steps toward permanently protecting the area while considering their joint vision and goals, engagement with community partners and stakeholders and the social, cultural, environmental and economic values of the area.

The creek is a wildlife corridor that runs through the heart of the city.

It sits within the traditional territories of the KDFN and Ta’an Kwäch’än Council. Its Southern Tutchone name is Chasàn Chuà.

The area supports a diverse ecosystem of species and habitats and is valued as an accessible recreational area.

“Establishing Chasàn Chuà/McIntyre Creek as a permanent protected area supports resilience to climate change impacts and biodiversity loss,” the parties said in a statement.

“Protecting and restoring nature and increasing the Yukon’s protected areas is a key commitment of the Canada-Yukon Nature Agreement.”

Environment Minister Nils Clarke thanked the other parties.

“Establishing this protected area will provide valued recreational opportunities for Yukoners to connect with and learn from nature, promoting mental and physical well-being,” he said.

‘It will also increase the total protected areas in the Yukon, supporting our collective efforts to protect against climate change impacts and biodiversity loss for future generations.”

KDFN Chief Sean Smith called the area “a significant place for Kwanlin Dün and Ta’an Kwäch’än people.

“Since long ago, this site has been a place where we camped, harvested moose and caribou, fished chinook salmon, and gathered berries and medicines.

“Our ancestors also gathered copper nuggets in and along the creek to make hunting and cutting tools such as spears, arrows, and knives,” Smith said.

“Working together with partners to protect this area will teach our children and grandchildren how we value and respect this special place.”

Ta’an Kwäch’än Chief Amanda Leas said the MOU “lays the groundwork for us to continue our collaboration to find a way to properly protect this important fish and wildlife habitat.

“McIntyre Creek/’Chasàn Chuà’s historical relevance to Ta’an Kwäch’än Council is significant and is a big part of who we are as a Nation.

“We are pleased that all the next steps to protect these areas will involve a full partnership. I look forward to the work ahead on this invaluable initiative.”

Mayor Laura Cabott said the pact “marks the first step towards creating that protected space that showcases our community’s wilderness, ensures long-lasting opportunities for residents to connect with nature, and protects the wide variety of wildlife and vegetation that exist in the area.

“I am so proud to be working together with so many passionate and committed partners, and look forward to seeing this vibrant green space protected for generations to come.”

Steven Guilbeault, the federal minister of Environment and Climate Change and the inister responsible for Parks Canada, also weighed in.

“The protection of the environment and nature must be a collaborative effort. When different levels of government join forces with Indigenous nations and weave Indigenous knowledge and ways of knowing with Western science, the very best outcome is achieved,” Guilbeault said.

He thanked the other signatories “for your vision and dedication to the protection of the beautiful Chasàn Chuà/McIntyre Creek area. You can count on the continued support from our government in making this new protected area a reality.”

Permanent protection of this area could be achieved with any combination of municipal, territorial and/or federal tools. The possible designation for McIntyre Creek will be determined together with partners.

The three-year Canada-Yukon Nature Agreement took effect in April 2023.

Through it, Ottawa is supporting the Yukon and Indigenous governments to work toward initiatives related to conservation, protected areas and biodiversity.