2009 Peel Watershed Survey results now available

September, 2009

In June of 2009, CPAWS-Yukon and the Yukon Conservation Society, in conjunction with the Tourism Industry Association of the Yukon commissioned DataPath Systems to conduct a survey on the attitudes of Yukoners on land use in the Yukon and the Peel Watershed region. A plan for the future of this region is currently being developed by the Peel Watershed Planning Commission.

One of the research objectives was to understand how Yukoners feel about the Peel Watershed region and the uses of that land and water. The goal for the research was to ensure the results were from a random and representative sample of Yukoners and that the questionnaire was impartial, non-leading and non-biased.

In summary, the results show that:

• Three-quarters of Yukoners feel that the main priority for the Peel Watershed region should be the environment, wildlife and wilderness protection.
• Three-quarters of Yukoners feel that a large area in the Peel Watershed that is free from industrial activities and roads should be created.
• 75% of Yukoners want to see more protection than the Planning Commission’s Scenario Number Two, which calls for protection of approximately 55% of the Peel Watershed.
• Yukoners are generally aware of Peel Watershed issues; 71% of Yukoners are aware of discussions about the future of the Peel Watershed.
• 85% of Yukoners feel that protected areas are a useful way to ensure that values important to them will continue to exist.

Click here to download the final survey report,
Yukoners Attitudes on the Environment and Peel Watershed
(Acrobat [PDF] file, ~850K)

Click here to download the survey questions
(Acrobat [PDF] file, ~930K)