Nisga'a Memorial Lava Bed Provincial Park

IUCN Category II - National Park

Signs at the park entrance

The Anhluut'ukwsim Laxmihl Angwinga'asanskwhl Nisga'a Provincial Park, Nisga'a Memorial Lava Bed or Provincial Park, is a 17,893 -hectare Provincial Park in the Coast Mountains in northwestern British Columbia. The park is located about 80 kilometers north of Terrace in the Regional District of Kitimat - Stikine.

The park is the first in the province, which was founded at the same time to the culture of the local First Nation closer to the visitors as well as to protect nature in general and particular ( the lava to the surrounding area ). He is also the first park in the province, which is jointly managed by BC Parks and a people of the First Nation, the Nisga'a here.

Plant

The park is divided into four different parts. The connecting part of the park is the percentage along the path extending from northwest to southeast Highway 113 and the parallel running Tseax River.

To the northwest is another part of the park and is bordered to the north by the Nass River. Here are the Nisga'a settlements Gitlakdamix and Gitwinksihlkw. Also located here, at the junction with Park proportion along the highway, even the information center and the campground.

At the southwest end of the park is the lava lake. The elongated lake is enclosed at its ends and the north-western shore of the third part of the park. At the southeastern shore of the lake is long stretches of Highway 113, which runs in the park but not here.

The largest part of the park is located west of Highway 113 and also extends in a northwest-southeast direction. In this part of the park is also the lava field is a stretch of about 10 kilometers by three kilometers. On this lava field, there are also lava in the various forms of training, such as block lavas, AA lava or pahoehoe lava. Also found here is the cinder cone, which was built at the former volcanic eruption.

The park is crossed by several small lakes, streams and rivers. The most important of the rivers, the Nass River and its tributary, the River Tseax. The Tseax River connecting it to lying to the south of the park Lava Lake with the Nass River. At this juncture or on tributaries to the River Tseax are also the cousin of Beaupre Falls and Falls. The Lava Lake was formed when the lava flow formed a dam in the course of wet Rivers.

There are several mountains in the park area. The highest mountain in the park or on the border of the park is Mount Priestley ( on the northeast park boundary ), with 2359 m. Other mountains are Mount Hoeft ( on the northeast border of the park ) and the Mount Philipa (in the east of the park).

In the park is a protected area category II (National Park).

History

The park was established in 1992. He has his official name, he is in the language of the local Nisga'a, in their traditional hunting and settlement area also. The foundation was still under the English name. The park was established in the course of time, to its present size of 17,893 acres, extended. The Nisga'a Final Agreement, the Nisga'a Treaty or the 2000 then closed and the park with a. So it was then for the joint management of the park by BC Parks and the Nisga'a First Nation.

The lava field and the cinder cone was built sometime around 1760. According to the narratives of the Nisga'a will have died by the volcanic eruption at the 2,000 of their people, as commemorated by the former English name of the park clearly remembers.

Flora and Fauna

Within the ecosystem of British Columbia, the park area is classified into four different zones, the Mountain Hemlock zone, the Interior Cedar Hemlock, Western Hemlock Coastal zone and the Alpine tundra zone.

A forestry use on a larger scale did not take place in the park. Therefore, there is still a lot of primary forest. Due to the four, sometimes very different zones can be found in the park, a relatively large number of plants. It is mainly found widespread species such as Douglas Fir, Western Hemlock, Mountain Hemlock -, ​​red cedar and Engelmann spruce. This diversity is also reflected in the undergrowth with numerous mosses and ferns.

The detectable species correspond to the location of the park. In the area you will find, among others, the grizzly bear and black bear of. Although the park also occur wolves, they are almost never seen. In addition to various deer species, such as mule deer, there are also mountain goats in the park. Besides coming here because of the old trees, and the Pileated woodpecker and spotted owl before. The various rivers, streams and lakes also provide habitat for bull trout ( Salvelinus confluentus ), coho salmon, pink salmon and chum salmon.

Activities

The park offers 16 reservable not parking for RVs and tents and has a simple plumbing system. Furthermore, it features picnic areas at the Lava Lake and the Vetter Falls.

The tourist attraction of the park is to a cultural nature and other scenic art

The cultural attractions resulting from the cooperation of park management with the Nisga'a and their located in or at the park settlements and the corresponding visitor center. Also the hiking trail to the lava field belongs with its explanatory signs that refer to the stories and legends of the Nisga'a to the cultural aspects of the park.

For tourism is to scenic attractions especially the lava field in the eastern part of the park is important. This is accessible by a corresponding trail. Entering the lava field is permitted only on a guided tour. In addition to the lava and the lava lake has a meaning, since boating is allowed. Also there is a few places in the park take the opportunity to mountain bike or ride there.