Prince George, B.C.- The  Resources North Association (RNA) has named  the Peace Northern Caribou Committee (PNCC) as the 2014 recipient of RNA’s Cooperative Land Management Award.

"On behalf of the RNA Board I’m very pleased to congratulate the Peace Northern Caribou Committee for their dedication, hard work and huge ongoing efforts to develop and implement recovery strategies for caribou"said  NNA Chair, Stephanie Killam..

 The concept of the Peace Northern Caribou Committee (PNCC) was initiated in 2011 through the leadership and vision of the Saulteau and West Moberly First Nations in cooperation and with the support of Teck Resources due to the sense of urgency that First Nations felt was needed to save the Klinse-Za and other adjacent caribou herds in the Peace. Concurrently West Moberly First Nations developed a Recovery Plan for the Klinse-Za herd with inputs from biologists, government and their own traditional knowledge. This plan was released in 2013 and has formed the basis of the recovery efforts.

The award was accepted in person by the PNCC Chair, Brian Pate of West Fraser Mills Ltd. (Chetwynd) "We are honoured to be recognized in this way"said Pate ". This is truly collaborative project with all sectors doing whatever had to be done to make the project happen. While working together was a welcome reward, the opportunity to do a hands-on, proactive project that ‘gives back’ is the best reward."

 The committee consists of representatives from:

• Saulteau First Nations
• West Moberly First Nations
• West Fraser Mills Ltd
• Wildlife Infometrics Inc.
• Spectra Energy
• Treaty 8
• Peace River Coal
• Teck Coal
• TransCanada Pipelines
• Walter Energy
• BC Ministry of Environment
• BC Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations