Yukon's Boreal Region
Learn more about CPAWS-Yukon's current campaign
at the intersection of the Boreal and Y2Y regions: Three Rivers
CPAWS-Yukon is part of a national effort to protect and conserve the broad ribbon of northern forests, rivers, wetlands and mountainous landscapes that cover more than half of Canada’s landmass stretching all the way from Newfoundland to the Yukon – the Canadian boreal. In the Yukon, our boreal efforts are focused on establishing protected areas and maintaining the ecological integrity of pristine watersheds such as the Three Rivers.
A protected area and conservation network will serve as the most important
infrastructure of the Yukon’s boreal by supporting the ecological
services upon which our economy and lifestyle depends.
Photo credit: Peter Sandiford
It seems unimaginable that we would be prepared to cut our Yukon forests or mine our Yukon lands without a long-term plan, and without first identifying special areas for protection and wildlife habitat. Protected areas are a vital part of a two-pronged approach to land use in the North, one that recognizes the value of leaving nature undeveloped while supporting responsible development outside conservation lands.
CPAWS-Yukon continues to work towards conservation and protection in the Peel watershed, including the Three Rivers, through the land use planning process and by working directly with communities. We have the opportunity to protect one of the largest roadless areas in the Yukon before industrialization – a place of unparalleled wild beauty, where ecological and evolutionary processes remain intact.
A forward-looking planning approach that includes genuine consultation with First Nations, communities, and the public would help ensure that the entire living community remains protected and whole – while providing for a sustainable local economy. CPAWS-Yukon supports community-based conservation economies that respect ecological, cultural, spiritual and economic values of the land. Click here to learn more about our Three Rivers campaign.
CPAWS-Yukon has completed numerous ecological and other surveys in the Yukon's boreal, recording and mapping ecosystem features, wildlife species and conservation options. We are actively involved and supportive of forest management and land use planning initiatives. Click here to learn more about our publications and reports.
Yukon’s boreal is home to some of the healthiest remaining herds
of woodland caribou, deserving of protection
Photo credit: Peter Mather
Land use planning is a tool that allows us to work together to ensure species like grizzly bears, caribou, songbirds, pine marten and many others flourish long into the future and rivers continue to run wild a hundred years from now.
We propose a comprehensive network of protected areas, wildlife habitat
conservation areas, and special management zones that will protect the
boreal’s variety of life, wilderness and clean waters.
Photo credit: Marten Berkman
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