K'nabiyaaxl/Ashdown Conservancy
About This Conservancy
K’nabiyaaxl/Ashdown Conservancy protects all of Ashdown Island, along with its surrounding islets, rocks and foreshore. Located within the Hecate Lowland and North Coast Fjords Ecosection, this rocky island supports important migratory bird winter habitat. The conservancy also protects an important Steller Sea Lion haul-out.
Conservancy Size: 727 ha
Special Notes:
- There are no roads or trails in this wilderness area.
- There are no facilities in the conservancy.
Location and Maps
Lakelse Douglas Channel area map
K’nabiyaaxl/Ashdown Conservancy is only accessible by boat and is located about 40 km south of Hartley Bay and 120 km southwest of Kitimat. Ashdown Island is located at the south end of Whale Channel, between Princess Royal Island, Gil Island and Campania Island.
- Reference: Marine Chart #3724 (Caamano Sound and Approaches).
- Reference: 1:50,000 scale Topographic Map #103 H/3 (Gil Island).
Kitimat Visitor Information Centre:
PO Box 214
2109 Forest Avenue
Kitimat, BC, Canada V8C 2G7
http://www.tourismkitimat.ca/
e-mail: info@tourismkitimat.ca
ph: 250-632-6294 or 1-800-664-6554
Maps and Brochures
Any maps listed are for information only - they may not represent legal boundaries and should not be used for navigation.
Nature and Culture
History:
K’nabiyaaxl/Ashdown Conservancy was designated as a conservancy on July 14, 2006 following recommendations from the North Coast Land and Resource Management Plan.
On February 13, 1950 an American B-36B “Peacemaker” bomber flying from Eielson Air Force Base near Fairbanks, Alaska to Fort Worth, Texas had three of its six engines catch fire. The crew bailed out over Princess Royal Island. The pilot was the last crewmember to bail out and landed in a shallow pond on Ashdown Island. The plane itself crashed on Mount Kologet in what is now Swan Lake/ Kispiox River Provincial Park.
Cultural Heritage:
The conservancy is in the asserted traditional territories of the Gitga’at and Gitxaala First Nations. Use the below link for more information or to contact these First Nations.
- Gitga'at First Nation
- Gitxaala First Nation: No website at this time.
PO Box 149
Kitkatla, BC V0V 1C0
Ph. 250-848-2214
Fax 250-848-2238
Conservation:
The conservancy protects a whole coastal island containing undisturbed old-growth forests of cedar and hemlock and coastal wildlife habitat, including the marine foreshore and intertidal areas.
Wildlife:
Steller Sea Lions haul-out on the unvegetated rocks 400 metres northeast of McNeill Point. Humpback Whales, Killer Whales, Dall’s Porpoises, Pacific White-Sided Dolphins and Harbour Seals can also be seen in the waters near Ashdown Island.
Management Planning
Management Planning Information
- Online Management planning information for this conservancy is not available at this time.
Activities Available at this Park
Canoeing
Adventurous and experienced kayakers may enjoy exploring the shorelines in this conservancy.
Hunting
This conservancy is open to hunting during lawful hunting seasons. Please check the BC Hunting and Trapping Regulations for more information.
Scuba Diving
It is possible and permissible to SCUBA dive or snorkel in the conservancy.
Swimming
Swimming is possible in the ocean, but the water is cold all year round. There are no lifeguards on duty in the conservancy.
Wildlife Viewing
Facilities Available at this Park
Campfires
Firewood is not provided. If you must have a fire, please burn only dead and down wood, and be sure to fully extinguish the fire when done. Dead wood is an important habitat element for many plants and animals and it adds organic matter to the soil so please use it conservatively, if at all. We encourage visitors to conserve wood and protect the environment by minimizing the use of campfires and using camp stoves instead. Limited burning hours or campfire bans may be implemented during extremely hot weather conditions.
Walk-In/Wilderness Camping
Winter Camping
There are winter camping opportunities in this conservancy, as it can be accessed year round.
