THREATENED RIVER!
Travel through world-class wilderness on the Taku River, one of North America's most endangered wilderness rivers. From mountains and glaciers in northwestern British Columbia, three rivers come together to form the Taku, the largest unprotected river sharing an international border between Canada and Alaska. Encompassing 18,000 sq. km, the Taku River Valley is wild, rugged, and remote region of forest, peaks and wetlands, harboring outstanding wildlife: grizzly and black bears, wolves, mountain goats, sheep, moose, migrating birds and woodland caribou. The Taku protects healthy runs of all five species of wild salmon, steelhead and trout. With its long history of Tlingit cultural significance, this is indeed a special place. The scenery is spectacular, the fishing outstanding.
On this expedition, we canoe about 70 miles through Canada's Northern B.C., and Southeast Alaska, experiencing a variety of habitats, from interior aspen forests and marshlands to glacier-clad mountains and coastal rainforest. We have chosen a canoe route that begins at the confluence of the Sheslay and Nahlin rivers, beginning our trip on the Inklin River. We avoid the most difficult whitewater found on the lower Sheslay River, best suited to inflatable rafts, yet we still find challenge paddlin a swift, steel-grey glacial river. The coast mountains rise dramatically all around, and, after merging with the Nakina River, we are soon on the Taku. As we paddle towards the ocean, the climate changes, and we encounter hanging glaciers and a lush rainforest guarding the river.
The Taku has been on Canadian and American environmentalists’ list of endangered rivers, for a controversial mining project. Vancouver-based Redfern plans to resurrect the long-abandoned Tulsequah Chief mine by building a 100-mile [161-kilometer] road through the heart of this spectacular wilderness that would forever change the watershed, opening the country to logging, spur roads, and other industrial activity. (See below) Much like the fight to save the Tatshenshini-Alsek river corridor a decade ago, the issue pits short-term mineral extraction over long-term environmental health. We’re fighting for wilderness, and we invite to join us; we’re sure you’ll see why.
Take action on behalf of the Taku River watershed!
