Sahtu Settlement Area

The Sahtu Settlement Area falls within four ecozones of Canada (Taiga Cordillera, Taiga Plains, Southern Arctic and Taiga Shield). The cool climate averages a daily mean January temperature between -20 to -30 C and daily mean July temperature between 10 to 15 C. Annual precipitation is low, at approximately 200 millimeters in the barren lands to 700mm in the mountains. Typical vegetation includes dwarf birch, willows, tamarack, white and black spruce and trembling aspen. Animals found throughout the area include caribou (woodland and barren-ground), moose, muskox, wolf, dall sheep, black and grizzly bear, marten and wolverine. Birds commonly observed are ptarmigan, canada goose, golden and bald eagles, ravens and sandhill crane.