YORK FACTORY NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE OF CANADA ...

Objectives
• The cultural resources of York Factory NHSC are protected and
appropriately cared for to the degree possible from impacts of climate
warming on the site that includes permafrost instability and erosion.
• Where and when protection from climate warming is not possible, cultural
resources will be recorded, documented and, if possible, salvaged to preserve
a public record (as per 1.3.3 of the Parks Canada Cultural Resource Management
Policy).
Direction
Managing York Factory NHSC will include a program of monitoring to detect
changes to the landscape, notably permafrost, but also vegetation, resulting from
climate change. Where and when possible, adaptive measures will be taken to
minimize the vulnerability of key resources against these threats. Already the
permafrost beneath the Depot has been stabilized through insulation, drainage and
ongoing monitoring of ground and air temperature.
Because of its history and historical record, its status as a managed heritage place,
with the presence of staff and facilities, York Factory NHSC presents an interesting
opportunity to study permafrost changes and impact on the landscape. It presents
various possibilities for scientific research from several perspectives with several
collaborations. Such research could contribute directly to the management of York
Factory NHSC and to scientific research on climate change.
At a minimum, without partner support, several
locations on site, besides the Depot, should be
chosen for long-term monitoring of soil
conditions to provide further information on the
impacts of climate change to the active layer and
permafrost. Ground penetrating radar (GPR)
used in archaeological surveying of the site, can
also be a useful tool for studying permafrost.
Monitoring stations should be installed along
ground surface frost cracks as they relate to
permafrost instability. Site maintenance
activities that enhance winter heat loss and
retard summer heat absorption should be
considered for cultural resource and
contemporary assets management.
Use of ground penetrating radar
at York Factory. (R. Heitzmann)
Optimally, York Factory NHSC could be made part of a regional or national network
of permafrost monitoring sites, in which case monitoring strategies could follow
those network protocols. Parks Canada will explore opportunities to partner in such
monitoring and research networks.
York Factory NHSC Management Plan Page 28