The expanded Nahanni River protected area will cover about 30,000 square kilometers of pristine Boreal wilderness home to woodland caribou, grizzle bears, and Dall's sheep. Park boundaries encompass nearly the entire South Nahanni River Watershed, which is of cultural and traditional importance for Dene peoples.

"This is a global-scale conservation achievement," said Gerald Butts, President and CEO of WWF-Canada. "Nahanni is the centerpiece of a regional conservation vision perhaps unparalleled in North America, as First Nations reserve areas for protection throughout the Mackenzie River region in advance of development."

Dehcho First Nations, the federal and territorial governments and conservation organizations collaborated to develop a network of protected areas in the Northwest Territories. In the past four years - over 12 million hectares have been designated in the NWT for interim or final protection.