User:Tgtg1234/Tweedsmuir South Provincial Park

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Tweedsmuir South Provincial Park covers parts of the eastern Kitimat Ranges, northern Pacific Ranges, and the Rainbow Range in British Columbia, Canada. It was established on May 21, 1938 in the western interior of the province, to protect its important natural features. Tweedsmuir Provincial Park is located on the unceded ancestral territory of the Nuxalk Nation. The park hosts a variety of recreation activities for visitors. This park encompasses a range of diverse species in this park including bears, moose, and various fish. There are also a few at risk species in this park.

Settler History
In 1793, British explorer Alexander Mackenzie travelled through the area of the park on his journey to the Pacific Ocean. He became the first European man to see the Pacific coast of North America, 12 years before the more famous Lewis and Clark Expedition. The Tweedsmuir Recreation Area was established in 1987. It was established to protect its important natural and historical aspects. Ralph Edwards is a well known Canadian conservationist who established a homestead by Lonesome lake.

First Nations
South Tweedsmuir Provincial Park is located on the unceded ancestral territory of the Nuxalk Nation. The Nuxalk people have inhabited the land for thousands of years. No treaties with the government of BC or Canada have ever been signed by the Nuxalk Nation. Additionally, no land has ever been sold to Canada or BC by the Nuxalk Nation. The government of BC holds no jurisdiction over the land on which South Tweedsmuir Provincial Park resides.

For the Nuxalk people, salmon from South Tweedsmuir's waterways have had significant cultural and economic importance. Salmon served, and continues to serve, as a reliable, important food source. In 2005-2015, Sockeye Salmon spawners in South Tweedsmuir's Atnarko river diminished in numbers from 30,000 to 2,500. In a recovery plan, made by the Nuxalk Nation, three key recovery strategies were suggested: improve general knowledge of the Sockeye’s ecology, conduct a quality analysis of the river water, and synthesis of data from previous conservation measures .It is uncertain if these strategies are currently being implemented by the government.

Habitat and Biodiversity
Tweedsmuir is a large provincial park that includes many different biogeoclimatic zone s that include different types of trees. .

Due to its size, the park offers a vast variety of diverse habitats. It is made up of mountains, rivers, waterfalls, lakes, plateaus and dense forests. The Eutsuk lake is notable as it divides the park into the north Tweedsmuir park and the south Tweedsmuir park. The mountains on the western edge of the park, are eroded by glaciers, and the rainbow range is made up of a series of eroded lava domes that create a multicolored hue to the viewer, as well as providing steep canyons as crucial habitat for some of the wildlife.

Along the coast is a Hemlock Forest. At lower elevations, there is a forest that includes Lodgepole Pine, Trembling aspen, and Douglas-fir. Engleman spruce and subalpine fir grow on the sides of some mountains. The rainbow mountain range is home to mountain goats, and there are many grizzlies and black tailed deer that live in the valley. There are also moose and black bears present in Tweedsmuir park, although there is not much information about their population sizes. Other species that have been documented are: red squirrels, beavers, muskrats, martens, weasels, mink, otters, lynx, wolverines, wolves, coyotes, and red foxes. There are also diverse small mammals including mice, shrews, chipmunks, voles, and lemmings.

Different fish are present at various times in the year. Observed fish populations are steelhead trout, chinook salmon, coho, cutthroat trout and dolly varden. Fishing is a popular activity in south Tweedsmuir park. These fish are a food source for the bears that inhabit the park.

The Boreal Woodland Caribou
Historically, Tweedsmuir Park was inhabited by the SARA-listed Woodland Caribou. As of October 2021, the estimated population of Caribou (Rangifer tarandus) around South Tweedsmuir Park was 160 individuals. The “Provincial Caribou Recovery Program” aims to reestablish populations in British-Columbia. Recent sightings around Tweedsmuir confirm their presence in the area.

The Trumpeter Swan
Due to overhunting, the trumpeter swan was near extinction in the early 20th century. The implementation of conservation efforts across North America led to the species recovery. One such example was the caretaking efforts of the Edwards Family for the swans of lonesome lake during harsh winters in the 1920’s.

Endemic Species
There are no species endemic to Tweedsmuir South Provincial Park. However, at least two species endemic to Canada can be found in the park. Due to the sensitivity of that information, the species cannot be disclosed publicly.

Threats
Human recreation and other disturbances are threats to Tweedsmuir South Provincial Park. However, climate change is the most prominent threat the area is facing.

Drought conditions in the fall of 2022 significantly reduced that year's salmon population, affecting many other species depending on its survival. Floods have also been forecast, threatening drought-stricken ecosystems in B.C. The park also frequently suffers Mountain Pine Beetle infestation due to milder temperatures in winter.

Activities
The park hosts opportunities for angling, hiking, horseback riding, camping (both front-country and backcountry), and canoeing. There are two vehicle-accessible campgrounds in the park. There are four designated picnic areas within the park. There is limited vehicle-accessible winter camping as well. Swimming is not recommended in the Bella Coola and Atnarko Rivers which are located at the campgrounds .The Tweedsmuir Ski Club maintains a small ski hill within the boundaries of the park with a single handle tow and cross-country ski trails. Snowmobiling is permitted within the Rainbow Range designated snowmobiling area. Wildlife viewing, specifically of grizzly bears and black bears is a focus of the park along the Atnarko River, this occurs in September when the salmon are spawning. The southern portion of the park can be accessed through highway 20, from float plane, ferry or by hiking in the backcountry.

Number of visitors
In the 2017-18 season, approximately 36,893 people visited the park. Of that, 35,763 only stayed for day use, and 1,130 visited for camping.