Yalakom Creek Park

This park is 8900 hectares in size and is an extensive representation of the Camelsfoot Range, including an extensive elevational sequence of biogeoclimatic zones. It is a Class A park and protects the whole of the undeveloped basin of Yalakom Creek and much of Nine Mile Ridge. The park contains old growth forests, extensive alpine grasslands, wetlands, ungulate migration corridors and many trails throughout the area for backcountry recreation and hunting.

Yalakom Pak continues to be an undisturbed wilderness, with healthy herds of California Bighorn Sheep, Mountain Goat and Mule Deer. Visitors find an undisturbed landscape with few signs of human intrusion. ~ Yalakom Management Vision

Yalakom Park is 8,941 hectares and is located in the St’at’mic Nation, Secwepemc Nation, and Tsilhqot’in National Government. In order to keep Yalakom Park’s natural biodiversity many objectives are being developed and implemented. The first objective relates to the protection of a healthy wildlife population through habitat management. A cooperation with neighbouring land managements will help establish adequate habitat for wide-ranging species. Additionally, habitat restoration, increased forage for wildlife and the use of prescribed fire to address the retention of ecological  integrity in the area, will be helpful in achieving the first objective. A partnership with fish and wildlife managers will be made to manage Grizzly Bear and California Bighorn Sheep populations and keep them safe from human disturbances.

The second objective is the creation of a wilderness setting for recreational opportunities in a pristine environment and to keep this environment as untouched as possible without seeing any human trace. Therefore, low-impact backcountry recreational opportunities include activities like backcountry camping, hunting, hiking, mountain biking, backpacking and horse use will be regulated as often as possible. This low-impact regulation will be assessed through monitoring how and where human activities impact on wildlife.

Yalakom Park is also part of a zoning plan that divides the park into physical boundaries to better identify logical management units and allow visitors and managers to have a better visualisation of how the park is managed. Nevertheless, a high priority list has been developed to prioritise implementations and actions in the park and there are two high priorities at the moment. The first priority is to work and cooperate with neighbouring land managers to ensure habitat connectivity for wildlife and minimizing impacts within the park and the second is to keep road access away from park boundaries.

Source: Yalakom Park Management Plan

Issues:

  • Lack of thorough and meaningful consultation with local community residents and First Nations communities

Goals:

  • Maintain the wilderness character of the area and ensure use of the area is consistent with conservation of sheep habitat and migration routes
  • Maintain healthy wildlife populations and associated habitats