The Northwest Territories (NWT) is recognized as a world leader in the successful co-management of wildlife resources. The responsibility for wildlife management is shared between governments, users and renewable resource boards set up under land claim agreements.
The Government of the Northwest Territories, Department of Environment and Climate Change is responsible for the implementation and enforcement of the Wildlife Act. The Wildlife Act applies to all species of vertebrates and invertebrates, other than fish, found wild in nature in the Northwest Territories. This includes mammals such as big game, small game and furbearers, birds, reptiles and amphibians.
Wildlife management or renewable resources boards have been established as the main instruments of wildlife management in areas where land claims are settled.
In non-settlement regions, the co-management system provides for input and involvement by Indigenous organizations in wildlife management.
Consultation obligations for wildlife management in the NWT are based on land claim and self-government agreements, Aboriginal and treaty rights.