January 8, 2001 For Immediate Release

The University of Northern British Columbia and the Muskwa-Kechika Advisory Board are presenting a public talk by a UNBC graduate on the Woodland Caribou that live in northern British Columbia.

Chris Johnson has completed research on caribou movements, habitat, and foraging behaviour to better understand where caribou go, and why. To obtain the information, Dr Johnson used traditional field techniques, as well as new technologies in satellite mapping and GPS. The research earned him UNBC's first PhD in Natural Resources and Environmental Studies.

Dr Johnson will be presenting his research during public talks. On Monday, January 15th, he will be speaking at 7:30pm in the Fort St John campus of Northern Lights College. The following day, he'll be at the College's Fort Nelson campus and speak at 7pm. Northern caribou are not as well studied as their southern relatives, and the presentation will provide information relative to the conservation of caribou, and well as the application of new technology to wildlife science.

Located in the Northern Rockies, the Muskwa-Kechika region includes protected areas and special management zones, where resource development will consider the spectacular scenery and significant wildlife populations. UNBC has partnered with the Muskwa-Kechika Advisory Board to establish research priorities in the region and coordinate public presentations on relevant wildlife issues.