1:50,000 habitat mapping for northern caribou in the Itcha and Ilgachuz Mtn. Areas, circa 1986.

Summer, Spring, Early Winter, and Late Winter multi-scale habitat model for mountain caribou in the Western Cariboo Region / Columbia Highlands / Northern Columbia Mountains. [Season] field should be used to split the data out into separate summer, spring, early winter, and late winter habitat models. [Model development is detailed in _Apps, C. D. and T. A. Kinley. 2000. Multiscale Habitat Modeling for Mountain Caribou in the Columbia Highlands and Northern Columbia Mountains Ecoregions, British Columbia.Wildlife Section, Ministry of Water, Land and Air Protection, Williams Lake, British Columbia, Canada](http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/cariboo/env_stewardship/wildlife/inventory/caribou/mtncar/hmi/habitatmod04-00.pdf).

Caribou habitat management areas identify zones ("tiers") with similar importance to caribou, potential risks and primary strategies for caribou conservation.These Final Caribou Habitat Management Areas (CHMAs) are based on known woodland caribou use and habitat potential mapping; in addition, levels of both human-caused and wildfire disturbances were also taken into consideration. Tier 1 areas were selected because they include high-moderate caribou habitat potential with high levels of observed caribou use and low levels of human-caused disturbance. Tier 2 areas were selected because they include areas of high-moderate woodland caribou habitat potential with observed use and higher levels of wildfire and human-caused disturbance. Tier 3 areas provide general habitat and maintain habitat connectivity between Tier 1 and Tier 2 areas. These areas are not permanent: they will be updated as habitat conditions, land use and caribou populations change over time. Different strategies have been developed for each Tier based on their stated management objectives and relative importance to and known use by caribou, current habitat condition and potential risks. A two page overview of the SK2 Central Woodland Caribou Range Plan and the CHMAs can be viewed here: https://publications.saskatchewan.ca/#/products/122353Find out more about woodland caribou and what the province is doing to manage their habitat and protect their populations: https://www.saskatchewan.ca/business/environmental-protection-and-sustainability/wildlife-and-conservation/wildlife-species-at-risk/woodland-caribou-program

The Itcha Ilgachuz Caribou Habitat Area (IICHA) and associated quadrants were developed as a part of the 2002 Northern Caribou Strategy, with revisions in 2011. The boundary is based on caribou telemetry to 2011, and is used to form the outer boundary of the quadrants that are used to help determine the rate of cut within WHA 5-086.

This data contains the current caribou subpopulation (herd) boundaries. Herd boundaries are derived from the best available science and expert knowledge. A caribou subpopulation (herd) boundary is the area required to be managed to achieve a self-sustaining population. Subpopulation boundaries do not overlap even though some caribou subpopulations share portions of their annual range. *This dataset is the focal point of the Caribou in British Columbia - Web Application.

Landscape Units (Subdivisions) were developed as a part of the 2002 Northern Caribou Strategy and are used for landscape level planning within Wildlife Habitat Area 5-086. For details please see: [Apps, C. D., T. A. Kinley, and J. A. Young. 2001. Multi-scale habitat modeling for woodland caribou in the Itcha, Ilgachuz, and Rainbow mountains of west-central British Columbia. Wildlife Section, Ministry of Water, Land and Air Protection, Williams Lake, British Columbia, Canada.](http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/cariboo/env_stewardship/wildlife/inventory/caribou/northcar/hmi/hsi06-01.pdf)

Summer, Winter Alpine, and Winter Forest-Dwelling habitat model for caribou in the Itcha, Ilgachuz, and Rainbow Mountains of West-Central BC. This habitat model was developed using telemetry from the Itcha-Ilgachuz, Rainbow, and Charlotte Alplands Herds. [Season] field should be used to split the data out into separate summer, winter alpine, and winter forest-dwelling habitat models. Model development is detailed in _Apps, C. D., T. A. Kinley, and J. A. Young. 2001. Multi-scale habitat modeling for woodland caribou in the Itcha, Ilgachuz, and Rainbow mountains of west-central British Columbia.Wildlife Section, Ministry of Water, Land and Air Protection, Williams Lake, British Columbia, Canada_. See also: https://catalogue.data.gov.bc.ca/dataset/caribou-habitat-model-for-the-western-cariboo-region-2017-. __Note: The 2017 habitat model covers a similar area, but does not supersede the 2001 habitat model.__

Summer/Fall and Winter/Forest-Dwelling 2017 habitat model for caribou in the Itcha Ilgachuz area. [Season] field should be used to split the data out into separate summer/fall and winter/forest-dwelling habitat models. Model development is detailed in _Apps, C., and N. Dodd. 2016.. Caribou habitat modeling and evaluation of forest disturbance influences across landscape scales in west-central British Columbia – March, 2016. Prepared for Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations, Williams Lake, British Columbia_. See also: https://catalogue.data.gov.bc.ca/dataset/7ea6556b-c113-4194-92f2-7ddb55a340b6 __Note: The 2001 habitat model covers a similar area, but is not replaced by the 2017 habitat model.__

Saskatchewan's woodland caribou range is divided into two conservation units, based on the ecozone boundaries of the boreal shield (SK1) and the boreal plain (SK2). The SK2 Caribou Conservation Unit is further divided into three administrative units: SK2 East, SK2 Central and SK2 West.The SK1 (Boreal Shield) Caribou Conservation Unit encompasses the rocky shield, sandy plains and many lakes of northern Saskatchewan. The SK2 (Boreal Plain) Caribou Conservation Unit encompasses the more productive mixed-wood forests and lakes of central Saskatchewan, including large areas of low-lying peatlands. While these two units represent important differences in ecological conditions (e.g., habitat types, fire regimes, landforms, etc.) and human land use and management (e.g., overall levels and types of land use, fire management, etc.), the boundary between SK1 and SK2 does not represent a population boundary, as caribou move freely between the two areas. The large size of the SK2 Caribou Conservation Unit (i.e., 109,717 km2) is not well suited for range assessment and range planning activities, given the large variation in ecological conditions, habitat types, land use, and natural disturbance regimes across the Boreal Plain of Saskatchewan. As a result, three smaller caribou administrative units within SK2 were developed: SK2 East, SK2 Central and SK2 West. SK2 West is further subdivided into two smaller management subunits. At present, the SK1 area has not been sub-divided into administrative units. Find out more about woodland caribou and what the province is doing to manage their habitat and protect their populations: https://www.saskatchewan.ca/business/environmental-protection-and-sustainability/wildlife-and-conservation/wildlife-species-at-risk/woodland-caribou-program

The documented occurrence data package contains 3 datasets that, in combination, help to provide generalized information about woodland caribou locations and survey areas in Saskatchewan. This information may assist users in their efforts to avoid or mitigate impacts to woodland caribou when operating in woodland caribou range. Generalized locations of caribou use have been provided to better reflect their large home ranges. Absence of a hexagon in an area should not be interpreted as absence of woodland caribou.Please read the Data Guide for important information about this product. Download survey boundaries, telemetry occurrence, and sightings/sign. Download the full package, including data guide here. The Woodland Caribou Documented Occurrence public data product is composed of three shapefiles/feature classes: 1. Woodland Caribou Occurrence - Sighting and Sign 2. Woodland Caribou Occurrence - Telemetry 3. Woodland Caribou Survey Boundaries The two occurrence datasets contain a grid of 18 sq km hexagons (tessellation). The inclusion of a hexagon in the dataset indicates that one or more animal sightings or sign, or telemetry points have been documented in that area. Importantly, lack of caribou occurrence (e.g. no hexagon) should not be interpreted as absence of woodland caribou. Rather, data may not have been collected in these areas or incidental or other observations have not been received.   The survey boundaries dataset displays the boundaries of woodland caribou surveys that were completed by or in collaboration with the Ministry of Environment from 2005 to 2024. Boundaries are from multiple sources, and include various types of surveys (fecal pellet collection or telemetry). These boundaries provide context when viewed alongside the woodland caribou occurrence datasets. We expect to see more occurrence locations in areas that have been surveyed. This information may provide context to areas with a seemingly higher number of occurrences.  For a full description of the data, please refer to the Data Guide document available for download on the Saskatchewan GeoHub.