Working With Communities

CPAWS-Yukon works with communities and conservation-minded individuals throughout the territory on a wide range of conservation, public education and training projects. Progress in protecting nature depends on community awareness and support, and we are committed to helping build local conservation capacity. Here are some of the ways CPAWS-Yukon supports community efforts to conserve and protect nature:

The 60 strong Gwich'in flotilla prepare to head back to Ft. McPherson after hosting the Three Rivers gathering in August 2003. Photo by Juri Peepre

• conservation leadership training for community members;
• conservation job training;
• supporting participation in training programs in community economic development, and assessment of environmental impacts of industrial development;
• hosting wilderness canoe and raft trips for community members, including youth and elders;
• undertaking biological surveys with community participation and skills training;
• hosting gatherings of community members and First Nations at conservation planning workshops such as the Yellowstone to Yukon (Y2Y) Conservation Initiative workshops;
• assisting community groups with fundraising and proposal writing;
• assisting with local conservation projects;
• providing technical information on protected areas planning;
• assisting with review of proposed developments in areas of community concern;
• cooperating with First Nations on conservation planning, for example in the Kaska Dena territory;
• hiring local people to work on conservation projects, as in Watson Lake, Mayo, Ft. McPherson;
• helping with mapping conservation values, and areas of interest for protected areas.