Conservancy overview
Ksi xts’at’kw/Stagoo Conservancy is located on the north and east side of Observatory Inlet. The conservancy protects low elevation productive forests with estuaries and riparian habitats.
The Conservancy was established to protect and sustain the Nisga’a, and Metlakatla First Nation Metlakatla and other First Nations’ social, ceremonial and cultural values and uses, to maintain the integrity of the terrestrial ecosystems, to provide opportunities for people to enjoy recreation in a wilderness environment, and to provide local communities with opportunities for compatible and sustainable economic development.
Stagoo Bay offers a safe anchorage, but recreational use levels in Ksi xts’at’kw/Stagoo Conservancy are low due to its remote location.
Advisories
Safety info
- Bring your own drinking water as potable water is not available.
- This area is not suitable for dogs or other pets.
Camping
Wilderness camping is allowed, but no facilities are provided.
Facilities
Campfire bans may be in place. Before lighting a fire, check for bans or restrictions on BC Wildfire Service and on local or Indigenous government websites.
Ksi Xts’at’kw/Stagoo Conservancy is located 35 km northeast of Gingolx, 40 km west of New Aiyansh and 115 km northeast of Prince Rupert. Access to the conservancy is primarily by boat with a good anchorage in Stagoo Inlet. Floatplane access to the shoreline is possible, and helicopter access is possible at suitable landing locations such as wetlands and along the shoreline.
Reference: Marine Charts #3933
Conservancy and activity maps
Learn more about this conservancy
Conservancy details
- Date established: July 13, 2006
- Size: 11,647 hectares (11,522 ha upland and 125 ha foreshore)
Nature and culture
History
Ksi xts’at’kw/Stagoo Conservancy was identified for conservancy status during negotiations between the provincial government and First Nations governments following the North Coast Land and Resource Management Plan (LRMP). This conservancy was designated in Spring 2006.
Cultural Heritage
The surrounding area, including the conservancy, were formerly used for traditional activities such as trapping, fishing, hunting, food gathering, and food preservation.
The Nisga’a Nation First Nation people have historically collected food and materials from Ksi Xts’at’kw/Stagoo. The Conservancy is also part of the traditional territory of the Metlakatla First Nation
Conservation
Ksi Xts’at’kw/Stagoo Conservancy helps protect the area’s biological diversity and natural environments by protecting terrestrial and marine coastal values ranging from sea level to alpine, including representative flora and fauna, and plant communities and animal species at risk.
The conservancy protects temperate rainforests dominated by western hemlock and Sitka spruce, with some western redcedar and amabilis fir. Mountain hemlock and yellow cedar are common at higher elevations.
The marine portion of the conservancy is in the North Coast Fjords Marine Ecosection, which consists of deep, narrow fiords cutting into the high relief of the Coast Ranges.
Wildlife
The conservancy contains fauna typical of the north coast, including grizzly bears, black bears, deer, mountain goat, wolves and moose. The conservancy also contains important marbled murrelet habitat and mountain goat winter range.
Reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples
BC Parks honours Indigenous Peoples’ connection to the land and respects the importance of their diverse teachings, traditions, and practices within these territories. This park webpage may not adequately represent the full history of this park and the connection of Indigenous Peoples to this land. We are working in partnership with Indigenous Peoples to update our websites so that they better reflect the history and cultures of these special places.