Yukon Conservation Society educates, advocates and conducts research on Yukon environmental issue since 1968.
Read the Tweets or scroll down to see what YCS is up to!!! 
Tweets by @YukonConservati
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The 2013 Spring Newsletter is now online! And we're having a special on Peel Watershed 2013 Calendars. Five dollars!
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There's a lot happening with Oil and Gas in the Yukon.
YCS comment submission (May 16th) on ATCO Gas’s Watson Lake Bi-Fuel Project (YESAB project 2013-0009 - more info at www.yesab.ca)Yukon Conservation Society’s comments (May 7th 2013) on Yukon Government’s draft Gas Processing Plant Regulation.
Here is the Yukon Conservation Society’s comment submission on the two land parcels in the Yukon Government’s Spring 2013 Oil and Gas Request for Posting.
The Yukon Conservation Society is asking Yukon Government to postpone the Spring 2013 Oil and Gas Disposition Request For Posting process. Read the full Press Release, and there is further detail in YCS’s letter to Yukon Government Oil and Gas Branch.
READ ABOUT YCS’s RECENT ACTIVITY ON OIL AND GAS HERE
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Protect the Peel!
The Yukon Conservation Society is refuting Yukon government’s claim that allowing roads and industrial development in the majority of the Peel watershed is compatible with tourism and the environment (read the March 26th press release). YCS based its calculations on an exercise that was obtained through an Access to Information request.
The Yukon Conservation Society and CPAWS - Yukon have developed a website devoted to protecting the peel - www.protectpeel.ca - it's worth a visit!!
Learn more at http://protectpeel.ca/peel_campaign_action.html
- The Peel planning Commission's Final Recommended Plan is the only plan that should be consulted on. The Final Plan recommends permanent protection of 55% and interim protection of 25% of this internationally significant watershed. Here's a guide to a better understanding of the Yukon Government’s Peel Watershed Concept Maps.
- More Indications the Peel Watershed Mining Claims Are Worthless: Yukon Government’s Department of Energy Mines and Resources has received an application to transfer 112 quartz claims in the Hart River area of the Peel watershed. The claims being transferred are Michelle 1 – 90 and Hot 1 – 22. The claims are being sold for one dollar and “other good and valuable consideration.” Read the YCS Press Release, MAC LQ00230 Assignment of Operating Plan, and the Application for Assignment of Approval for LQ002430.
- The publicly traded companies with mining claims in the Peel watershed have written off almost all of their expenses for these claims. Of $168,431,781 spent by these companies in the Peel since 2005, all but $5,772,274 has been written off. These 8,400 Yukon mining claims are practically worthless. Read the press release here, and the Peel claimholders spending since 2005 here. Here's the full report.
- You can also learn about threats to the watershed, the importance of the Peel in the face of climate change, how protecting the Peel watershed will help ensure the survival of the Porcupine Caribou Herd, and much more.
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For more information www.yukonconservation.org/habitat.htm, www.cpawsyukon.org and www.protectpeel.ca.
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Access To Information Reveals Yukon Energy Should Not Ignore Wind Energy in 20 Year Plan
Through an Access to Information request, the Yukon Conservation Society obtained the Wind Assessment Feasibility Study Final Report about wind energy on Mt. Sumanik, near Whitehorse, from Yukon Energy Corporation. Read the press release here. Visit the YCS Energy Page to learn more about YCS's comments on Yukon Energy's 20 Year Resource Plan. _________________________________________________________________
Grizzly Bears And Mining Not Compatible In The Alsek Valley
The Yukon has the free entry system of mining claim staking. Essentially, this means anywhere in the Yukon can be staked unless it has been specifically withdrawn by Government legislation. One of the many drawbacks with this system is that almost anywhere can be staked. An example of this has occurred in the beautiful Alsek Valley in the south-west Yukon. YCS is of the opinion that grizzly bears and mining are not compatible in the Alsek Valley. YCS issued a press release about this issue on October 9th, 2012. _________________________________________________________________
Limited Edition Prints
YCS is now carrying Limited Edition prints by Don Weir.Don has kindly offered YCS partial proceeds from the sales of the two Prints. Learn more here!
Alpine Colour in the Tatshenshini |
Autumn Colour – Donjek Valley |
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More About What We Do
- The ORV Working Group has developed a set of Recommendations for ORV Management and has delivered these to the Yukon Government. Review the ORV Recommendations (here). The ORV Working Group has also developed a set of educational tools including text for brochures and media, and a School Presentation targeted for grade seven students. See the School Presentation (here). Watch for educational brochures and other media now under development and coming out this year - and yes, the stickers are now available.
- The Yukon Conservation Society is pleased to announce that the winner of this year’s Gerry Couture Stewardship Award is Robert Moar. Robert was chosen for his work to prevent the Carmacks Copper sulphuric acid heap leach mine from proceeding. Read the full press release here.
- Want to see how many mining claims have been staked in the Yukon between 2009 and now? Click on this link for the animated visualization.
- The Magical Thread: Hey Kids! Take a Virtual Adventure at www.MagicalThread.com. The Magical Thread is an educational resource that teaches students (grade 4 – 6) about the magnificence of the natural world.
Search The YCS Website
Find a Yukon environmental topic by using this search engine. It also browses through all the past Walk Softly newsletters posted on this site.
- YCS acts as a public watchdog that works to ensure: environmental regulation of mining; forest management that reflects all forest values; energy efficiency and land use planning.
- The Society plays an important role in ensuring that wild lands representing Yukon’s biodiversity are adequately protected. For example, YCS was instrumental in securing the protection of the Tatshenshini and continues to work for the protection of ecologically significant areas.
- YCS produces research papers on such topics as forest planning, environmental assessment, mining and energy issues.
- Education Work: YCS has long been instrumental in promoting greater environmental awareness and understanding in the Yukon.
- Annual programs and events such as our Free Guided Nature Hikes and the Bird-a-thon offer people the opportunity to enjoy and explore the Yukon environment.
- We produce quality publications including environmental education handbooks, trail guides, nature appreciation booklets, and our quarterly Newsletter.
- We maintain a library of books and other resource materials relating to northern environmental isues. The library is open for public use.
This page was last updated (apart from the Twitter feed) May 17th, 2013
Original Web work by Mike Mason, updates by YCS staff
