About CPAWS Yukon

What We Believe

CPAWS-Yukon speaks out for the protection and conservation of nature. We know too that our own lives depend on clean waters, wild nature and all of the benefits we receive from the land around us. Our northern spirit, Yukon pride and economic well-being are closely linked to a healthy environment. We believe that the land, free flowing waters, clear air and multitude of wild species in the north have immense intrinsic value.

The CPAWS-Yukon mission is to establish a network of protected areas and conservation lands, and to safeguard wilderness and wildlife throughout the north. Fostering appropriate and responsible use of all our lands and waters is the other half of the equation - a goal that is very much in the public interest and consistent with the aspirations of our many communities.

Our beliefs reflect the values of most Yukon people as first set out in the 1984 Yukon Conservation Strategy. As that forward-looking public vision so eloquently said, “A commitment that will allow us to live in harmony with the environment is now necessary. It is the individual who is responsible for the destruction of the environment, and it will be individuals who will ultimately determine whether it will be saved.”

Who Are We?

CPAWS members and supporters come from all walks of life, from across the territory, the north and the nation. Most of us in Canada are volunteers, but in the 13 independent chapters across the country, we also have dedicated staff who are passionate about their work. Like everyone else here, CPAWS-Yukon members are proud to live in the territory. We believe our work will help preserve and care for what is so special about the Yukon.

Learn more about the people who comprise the staff of CPAWS-Yukon.

Juri Peepre and Sarah Locke tackle the Bonnet Plume
during the Boreal Rendezvous Three Rivers expedition (summer, 2003)
(Photo by Paul McKay)

CPAWS is part of a much larger family of public interest organizations in the Yukon, watchdogs on everything from the environment to the arts – together these groups speak on behalf of thousands of Yukoners, making a big contribution to civic life and the economy in our territory.

CPAWS-Yukon works to:

• establish a network of protected areas in the Yukon, a network that is linked by natural habitat, waterways, wetlands and wildlife corridors;

• secure a future for the Yukon that will benefit from the protection of wilderness, intact wildlife populations, clean waters and sustainable communities;

• support and participate in the national effort to protect and conserve the boreal forest, a vast, and in the north, mostly intact ecosystem stretching across the country;

• support the goals of the Yellowstone to Yukon Conservation Initiative, a far-reaching vision to maintain the natural ecosystems and wildlife along the spine of the continent, from the Rocky Mountains through the northern MacKenzie Mountains;

• maintain and improve the ecological integrity of existing protected areas;

• represent and empower Yukoners who support protecting nature and maintaining a healthy environment;

• cooperate with communities, all levels of government and other like-minded organizations, to achieve conservation results;

• support and facilitate the many local and territorial economic benefits of conservation;

• assist individuals and communities in bringing their environmental concerns to the attention of governments;

• ensure that appropriate resource development is carried out in a responsible way.