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CPAWS Yukon

About CPAWS Yukon

Posts by Adil Darvesh:

Pika

Species at Risk

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Our planet is bleeding biodiversity. Mammal, bird, reptile and fish populations have declined by sixty percent in the past fifty years. Species are vanishing 100-1000 times faster than the natural rate of extinction. Ambitious action is needed to safeguard vulnerable species and the ecosystems they rely on. The Yukon is fortunate not to have suffered the degree of biodiversity loss that much of the planet has. Still, we cannot afford to be complacent. Current laws are inadequate to protect the Yukon’s biodiversity and ecological character. Canada’s Species at Risk Act fully applies to only 8 percent of the Yukon’s land base, while the Yukon Wildlife Act applies to just 5 percent of the territory’s species. Using existing laws to protect species at risk is like trying to hold out the rain with a fishing net.

It is time for the Yukon to enact standalone species at risk legislation. An expert-led advisory body should assess species using scientific and Indigenous knowledge. Species deemed to be vulnerable and the habitat they rely upon should be automatically protected from further harm. The Yukon should create action plans to help species at risk recover, then put these plans into motion. The components of cutting-edge species at risk legislation already exist in jurisdictions across Canada. By pulling these pieces together, the Yukon can create the most effective species at risk legislation in the country.

The Yukon should collaborate with Indigenous peoples on species at risk policies. The territory should draft action plans in conjunction with Yukon First Nation Governments, affected transboundary nations, the Yukon Fish and Wildlife Management Board and Renewable Resource Councils. Indigenous Guardians and community-based monitoring programs could work on the front lines to study species at risk, implement action plans and enforce legislation. Taking action on species at risk legislation could open an exciting spectrum of new opportunities in conservation, research and Indigenous leadership.

Read the Report
Yellowstone to Yukon

Yellowstone to Yukon

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Header Image: Peter Mather

CPAWS Yukon was one of the founding members of this international initiative, which seeks to preserve and restore native plants, animals and wilderness throughout the 3,200-kilometre-long mountainous spine of the Rockies that links Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming to the Yukon’s Peel Watershed.

The joint Canada-US initiative takes a scientific approach to wilderness preservation and is internationally recognized as one of the planet’s leading mountain conservation initiatives.

THE THREAT

Development pressure throughout the Rocky Mountains continues to build as oil and gas and mining efforts expand and more people move into the region, building more roads, fences, subdivisions and other development that fragments ecosystems and lessens biodiversity.

For more info on the Yellowstone to Yukon Initiative click here. 

WHAT CPAWS IS DOING

As a member of the Yellowstone to Yukon initiative, CPAWS Yukon is working to protect areas like the Peel Watershed. It is also encouraging thoughtful and inclusive land-use planning throughout the territory, demanding governments respect citizens’ legitimate support for preservation of important wilderness regions and serving as a watchdog to make sure the existing parks and protected areas are respected and maintained.

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Protected Areas

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Header Image: Peter Mather

Parks and protected areas are critical for preserving sensitive ecosystems and wildlife habitats. They ensure that regions of high conservation value are maintained today, tomorrow and for future generations. CPAWS Yukon is dedicated to creating new protected areas and wilderness corridors.

Canada is a pioneer when it comes to parks, but our great wilderness is under threat from industry, population growth, tourism, climate change and other human disturbances that are chipping away at the landscape and putting species in peril. For humans to continue to thrive on this planet, we need set aside land where industry, roads and non-renewable resource extraction are limited.

OUR GOAL

Protected areas are important tools for preserving the 23 distinct eco-regions found in the Yukon, from the Southern Lakes to the Blackstone Uplands of Tombstone to the Old Crow Flats and the Beaufort Sea in the north. CPAWS Yukon is committed to the creation of national or territorial parks, habitat protection areas, and other areas with protected status that will help to achieve our conservation goals and ensure Yukon’s rich diversity is preserved.

At the international level, Canada has committed to protecting 17% of its terrestrial area and 10% of its marine area through the United Nations Aichi targets. CPAWS Yukon encourages our federal and territorial governments to go beyond these targets and to be leaders in conservation.

PUTTING PROTECTION FIRST

We are an active participant in consultation processes for the establishment of new parks and protected areas, and we provide feedback on the review of existing park management plans. We believe strongly that parks must focus on their primary mandate of ecological protection by following management plans and regulations that will safeguard wildlife and plants and their habitat.

We recognize that you cannot have protection without people, and that Yukon First Nations have been able to sustain their livelihoods for thousands of years, while servings as stewards of the land. Thus we support approaches to park management that balance sustainable uses of the land, alongside ecological, spiritual and cultural values. We also look for ways that protected areas can facilitate responsible wildlife viewing, environmental education and authentic wilderness experiences, thereby helping to drive the economy. We believe that local communities, and in particular First Nations, can benefit from this conservation economy. 

YUKON PARKS

National Parks

The Yukon has four national parks:

Klondike Gold Rush International Historical Park

This national historical park is operated by the National Park Service that commemorates the Gold Rush of the late 1890s. This encompasses the Chilkoot Trail National Historic Site, the Thirty Mile section of the Yukon River and significant historic sites in Dawson City. Click here to learn more.

Ivvavik National Park 

Ivvavik National Park is managed by Parks Canada and is an important calving ground for caribou in northern Yukon. Click here to learn more.

Vuntut National Park 

Vuntut National Park is located adjacent to Ivvavik National Park and the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska. It’s key inhabitants include caribou, foxes, wolves, lynxes and minks. It is managed by Parks Canada. Click here to learn more.

Kluane National Park and Reserve 

Kluane National Park is found in the southwest of the Yukon, near the Alaskan border. It includes the highest mountain in Canada, Mount Logan. It is managed by Parks Canada. Click here to learn more.

Arctic Refuge

It’s time to speak out about drilling in the arctic refuge

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Late last year U.S. Congress passed legislation to open up the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to drilling. It was hugely disappointing news. Any industrial development could have devastating impacts on the health of the Porcupine caribou herd, who migrate to the Arctic Refuge every year to calve.

Want to have your voice heard, but don’t know how? This is your chance. A public consultation period is about to open through the United States Department of the Interior. Since this is a transboundary issue both Americans and Canadians can submit comments.

This going to be a rare and powerful opportunity for Yukoners and Canadians to speak directly to the American government. Stay tuned to our website, Facebook and Twitter, as we’ll be providing a simple way to submit comments as soon as the consultation period begins, which should happen sometime in March.

CPAWS Yukon is stepping up our focus to protect the Porcupine caribou herd. This work is in partnership with American environmental organizations like The Wilderness Society and the Alaska Wilderness League, and Gwich’in nations, both in the U.S. and Canada, who have been fighting to keep industry out of the Arctic Refuge for decades.

We spoke to Mike Anderson from The Wilderness Society about the upcoming consultation period, how it will work and why it’s so important for Canadians to participate.

Mike has been with The Wilderness Society since 1985. His main focus is national forest management and policy. He also helps coordinate all of the society’s litigation activities. In his own words: “This will be our first truly “transboundary” case, so we’re thrilled to be working in partnership with CPAWS Yukon to protect the Refuge and the caribou.”

Mike Anderson - The Wilderness Society

CPAWS Yukon: In December, U.S. Congress passed legislation to open up the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to drilling. How close are they to actually opening up the refuge?

Mike: The Trump Administration’s Department of the Interior wants to begin selling oil and gas drilling leases in the Arctic Refuge as soon as next year. This assumes they will be able to complete all of the necessary environmental analysis and public involvement within approximately one year, which is a much faster timeline than normal.   

CPAWS Yukon: Through a requirement of the National Environmental Policy Act, the U.S. government has to develop an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) in order to sell leases for oil and gas development. What does this process involve, and what sort of impact could it have on whether or not drilling occurs in the Arctic Refuge?

Mike: The first major step in developing an EIS is called “scoping,” in which the Interior Department requests public comment on the issues that should be addressed in the EIS. The second step is the preparation of a draft EIS, which will analyze the environmental effects of the proposed oil and gas leasing and examine a range of alternatives to the proposal. The public will have an opportunity to comment on the draft EIS. The third and final step will be to modify the draft EIS based on public comments and complete a final EIS and issue a Record of Decision. 

If the Interior Department’s EIS does not complete a legally adequate analysis of environmental effects and alternatives, the drilling program might be delayed through litigation in U.S. courts. For example, a successful lawsuit filed by the government of Manitoba against the U.S. Interior Department over a water development project near its southern border has resulted in a 12-year delay in the project.

CPAWS Yukon: Canadians will have a chance to submit their comments through the scoping period, which is set to open very soon. What exactly is this scoping period, and why is it so important?

Mike: The scoping period allows the public to comment on the issues that the Interior Department should consider in the EIS, such as what impact the oil leasing and drilling would have on the Porcupine caribou, migratory birds, and other wildlife.  The scoping period sets the stage for the remainder of the EIS and decision-making process, indicating what issues are of greatest concern to the public and need to be carefully examined in the EIS.  

CPAWS Yukon: What will the process look like for Canadians to submit their comments?

Mike:  Canadians will be able to send scoping comments to the Interior Department as members of the public, just like people in the United States. Once the scoping process begins, the Department will provide email and mailing addresses to which the public can send their comments. The scoping comment period is likely to last for 60 days.

CPAWS Yukon: This is a transboundary issue. Yukoners and Canadians are incredibly concerned about potential drilling because the Arctic Refuge is where the Porcupine caribou calve every year. Any development in this sensitive ecosystem could have a devastating impact on the health of the herd. Do our voices matter in this consultation process? How can our submissions make a difference?

Mike: The National Environmental Policy Act requires the Interior Department to consider “transboundary effects” that have been identified during the scoping process. The threat that oil drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge poses to the migratory Porcupine caribou herd in Canada is a perfect example of transboundary effects.

Concerned Canadian citizens and their elected representatives, including First Nations, are best qualified to point out the transboundary effects and insist that they be addressed in the EIS. Scoping comments should also discuss the harmful impacts of oil drilling in the Arctic Refuge to the cultural and economic well-being of the Gwich’in who rely upon the Porcupine caribou. 

CPAWS Yukon:  What happens after the scoping period closes?

Mike: The Interior Department will prepare a draft EIS on the proposed oil and gas leasing and release it for public comment. That will be a second important opportunity for Canadians to express their views on the importance of protecting the Porcupine caribou from oil drilling, as well as other transboundary issues. The Interior Department may also undertake other pre-leasing activities, such as seismic exploration, for which there could be additional public involvement.

Top photo: The Porcupine caribou herd in Alaska’s Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (photo by Peter Mather)

Bottom photo: Mike Anderson of The Wilderness Society (photo provided)

1.3 billion

Ottawa’s $1.3 billion commitment shows wilderness conservation a serious priority

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Header Image: Peter Mather

Not often have we been excited about a federal budget.

Earlier this week, that all changed. On Tuesday, the Liberal government committed a historic $1.3 billion to protecting our country’s land and water. For us, a non-profit dedicated to protecting the Yukon wilderness, this is huge news.

CPAWS was part of the Green Budget Coalition that urged the federal government to prioritize the health of Canada’s ecological systems by making a historic commitment to conservation. Earlier this year, 116 parliamentarians signed an open letter to the Finance Minister Bill Morneau supporting these recommendations, including Yukon MP Larry Bagnell.

The government listened. What’s now clear: our country is making protecting our land and water a priority. This unprecedented investment will support Canada’s efforts to achieve its UN commitment to protect at least 17% of our land and 10% of our ocean by 2020. Our vast, iconic wild spaces are what we take so much pride in, and we are one of the last countries left on earth to that still has the opportunity to protect significant swaths of wilderness, like our beloved Peel Watershed.

Tuesday’s $1.3 billion commitment is a legacy investment. It’s a statement that the government wants to look past short-term gains to invest in the long-term health of our planet. It’s an investment in the next generation, and the generation after that.

For the first time, the budget is allocating specific funds to support conservation efforts by Indigenous governments, provinces and territories. This cost-shared model is what’s already used for sectors like infrastructure, climate change mitigation and health care.

In the Yukon, this means the territorial government will receive the support it needs to invest in new parks and protected areas, bring Land Use Planning back on track and overall, ensure the ecological integrity of our incredible wilderness.

It also means that there will be support for First Nations governments in the Yukon to lead their own conservation efforts, with the possibility of Indigenous Guardian Programs that have proven so successful in places like B.C.’s Gwaii Haanas National Marine Park Reserve.

We’re looking forward to learning more about what this funding means and how it will be broken down in Canada and in the Yukon. Our territorial budget also came out this week and we didn’t see much in terms of funding for conservation. We hope the Yukon government soon follows in the footsteps of Ottawa’s commitment to protecting our wilderness.

We’d like to extend a huge thank you to Finance Minister Bill Morneau, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Environment Minister Catherine McKenna for pushing our country to be an international leader in conservation. Take a moment to thank them yourself!

A historic investment in conservation in Federal Budget 2018

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Whitehorse, Yukon, Feb. 27, 2018 – CPAWS Yukon applauds today’s announcement of $1.3 billion dollars of new federal funding over five years to protect Canada’s land, ocean and wildlife. This unprecedented investment will support Canada’s efforts to achieve its commitment to protect at least 17% of our land and 10% of our ocean by 2020, delivering on the Prime Minister’s promise that Canada will achieve and substantially exceed this target in the coming years.

“The federal government’s announcement today that they are investing over a billion dollars in conservation is truly a game changer,” said Chris Rider, CPAWS Yukon’s Executive Director. “It will provide Yukon Government and Yukon First Nations with the financial resources to ensure the ecological integrity of the Yukon’s wilderness.”

Highlights of Federal Budget 2018 conservation investments include:

• $500 million over five years for a new $1 Billion “Nature Fund” to support conservation
partnerships and which will leverage funding from other government and non-governmental
sources;
• $800 million over five years to support:
–  New federal protected areas
–  Increased capacity for national park management
–  Increased capacity to protect species at risk
– Funding to establish a coordinated network of conservation areas working with provincial, territorial and Indigenous partners.

For the Yukon, this means:

• The Yukon government will receive the support it needs to invest in new parks and protected areas, including those identified in the Peel Watershed Final Recommended Plan
• New funding is available to support Yukon Government and the First Nation governments as they work to bring Land Use Planning back on track
• First Nations governments will have access to funds to support their own work on wilderness protection in their traditional territory

As the details of this new funding becomes clear, CPAWS Yukon hopes to see more information about possibilities for Indigenous protected areas and Indigenous guardian programs.

For the first time, the federal budget not only allocates funding for federal action on nature conservation but also includes significant support for the Yukon government and First Nation governments’ work to establish more protected areas. This cost-shared model is similar to the approach used to deliver on other shared priorities in Canada, such as infrastructure, climate change mitigation, and health care.

CPAWS Yukon deeply appreciates the efforts of many thousands of Canadians who wrote to the Finance Minister, and of the 116 parliamentarians – including Yukon MP Larry Bagnell –  who signed an open letter supporting this historic funding.

To arrange interviews or for further information please contact: Nadine Sander-Green (867-393-8080 ext. 9 or nsander-green@cpawsyukon.org) or Chris Rider (867-393-8080 ext. 4 or crider@cpawsyukon.org)

Wedidthistogether_February9

We did this, together

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We did this, together

At the Whitehorse Livestream of the Peel Supreme Court decision last December, when the news came through that we had— in a unanimous victory —won our court case, a couple things quickly became clear.

Yukoners were ready to celebrate. This is a massive victory for the Peel Watershed and First Nations rights, and it’s the result of decades of dedication from so many people. The other thing we noticed at the livestream was that people had stories to share about their connection the Peel; that although the land use planning process has been embroiled in the courts for the past three years, the Peel Watershed is so much more than politics. Everyone has a unique connection to this land. We knew that after many years of hard work, we had reached the moment where it was so important to come together and share our stories.

Unity

We couldn’t have achieved what we have achieved without unity. It was the first time in history that First Nations and environmental groups took a case all the way to the Supreme Court of Canada. But this was not the only reason for the success of this campaign. On a broader scale, success came from an entire territory rallying long and hard to protect this incredible watershed and modern treaties. If you were at any of the Peel events in the past few years you could see how people from all walks of life came out to support a campaign they so deeply believed in.

The success of the campaign came from a shared belief that wilderness — especially a tract of intact land the size of the Peel —is the most valuable asset we have; for now, for our grandchildren and for their grandchildren. Yukoners came together on this shared belief. And we won! It’s a success story that we hope will inspire other campaigns to know that they too can rise together. They too can protect some of the world’s most unique and vulnerable wild spaces.

Even Tom Berger, our lead lawyer, spoke of the campaign’s grassroots success.

“I think all the people involved, and Yukoners — not just those who belong to the environmental organizations, or those who were members of First Nations — participated, it really seemed to be a community enterprise,” Berger told CBC on the morning of the celebration. “That was my impression every time I came up here, and the enthusiasm was so much.”

Feb_2_2018_ _Peel_Celebration 9780

Sharing our stories

We were planning on hosting an event after the decision, no matter what happened, but it quickly became apparent that one thing that many of supporters wanted was a space to share why the watershed matters to them so deeply. The wilderness, after all, is why so many of us live here. It is who we are and what we believe in. We planned a celebration that included a venue to share these stories, and were blown away with how it turned out.

The celebration

The celebration began with a ceremonial fire-lighting, led by Na Cho Nyäk Dän Elder Walter Peters, and a water ceremony, led by Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in Elders Clara Van Bibber and Angie Joseph-Rear. It was a windy, frigid day — the temperature dipping below minus 30 — but that didn’t deter the large crowd that gathered on the banks of the Yukon River to share in prayer and song. 

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We were expecting a few dozen people to show up to the story sharing circle afterwards, seventy at the most. By 5 pm, when the event was scheduled to begin, the Kwanlin Dun Cultural Centre’s Longhouse was packed with over two hundred people.  It was a challenge to restructure the circle at such short notice, and we had to come to terms with the fact that with such a huge turnout, not everyone would be able to share their story.

Still, we were in awe as person after person stood up with the microphone to share their connection to the Peel. Whether it was exploring the watershed by boat or horse, or working behind the scenes organizing the events and protests that brought us to where we are today, every story was charged with the kind of emotion and passion that kept the audience captivated. Although everyone’s experiences and stories were vastly different, one common thread that wove the narratives together was the sense that we did it, together.

The joyful energy continued throughout the buffet dinner and speeches. The audience heard from Gwich’in leaders from Fort Mcpherson, the Yukon Minister of Environment, all five leaders from the court case and even Thomas Berger, who flew from Vancouver for the celebration. Afterwards, Matthew Lien hit the stage with his beautiful song “Headwaters,” followed by Brue Charlie and Ben Chuck on fiddle, who got the crowd on their feet and jigging in no time.

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Despite some challenges adapting to the larger than expected crowds, we couldn’t be happier with the celebration, and from what we saw and heard, many who came shared the same sentiment. All night long the room was full of a sense of pride: for the land, for how hard we have worked together and for our commitment to protecting a place that will now remain vast and wild.

A huge thank you The Wandering Bison for the fabulous meal, The Kwanlin Dun Cultural Centre for the venue and staff, Kate White for her chocolate cake, The Chocolate Claim, Bean North, Roxx Hunter our fabulous musicians, the Youth of Today society, Matt Jacques and Dan Bader for capturing the evening, all of our incredible volunteers, and of course our Peel partners: The Yukon Conservation Society, Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in First Nation, First Nation of Na Cho Nyäk Dän and Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation. Thank you to everyone who helped make this night such a success!

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Click here for more photos of the celebration. Photography by Matt Jacques and Dan Bader.

What’s Next?

Although we won our Supreme Court case and the Peel Watershed is so much closer to being protected, we’re still a step away from full and legal protection for the watershed.

The Supreme Court directed the Yukon Government back to the stage of final consultations on the Final Recommended Plan.  On December 1st, the day the decision was released, Sandy Silver called it a “A victory for all of Yukon” and committed to implementing the Final Recommended Plan.

Last month, the Yukon Government and First Nations met in Dawson to discuss next steps for consultations and implementation, which they project will to take around a year.

Stay tuned for more details about consultations once they are released. We need your voice for one last push to see this campaign to the end!

Celebration Friday, February 2nd for Supreme Court Peel Victory

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To mark the historic Supreme Court of Canada victory for the Peel Watershed a celebration will be held at the Kwanlin Dün Cultural Centre on Friday, February 2 from 4:30 pm to 11: 00 pm. The event will pay tribute to the decades of hard work so many Yukoners have put into protecting the watershed and highlight the significance of the December 1st 2017 landmark, unanimous Supreme Court judgement.

The celebration consists of three sections (see below) and media are welcome to attend and cover the event. The exception to this is the story sharing circle, which will have no recording of any kind.

Speeches will take place after dinner, around 7:30 pm. Speakers include:
• Chief Roberta Joseph (Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in First Nation)
• Chief Simon Mervyn (First Nation of Na Cho Nyäk Dän)
• Chief Bruce Charlie (Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation)
• Christina Macdonald (Yukon Conservation Society)
• Chris Rider (Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society, Yukon Chapter)
• Thomas Berger (O.C., O.B.C, Q.C.)
• The Hon. Pauline Frost (Minister of Environment, Yukon Government)
• Chief Wanda Pascal (Tetlit Gwich’in Council)
• President Bobbie Jo Greenland-Morgan (Gwich’in Tribal Council)

Event Schedule: 

4:30 pm– 7:00 pm: Fire lighting, water ceremony and story sharing circle*

7:00 pm – 9:00 pm: Buffet dinner and speeches

9:00 pm – 11:00 pm: Live music and dancing

*A gathering to share stories, memories and reflections of the Peel Watershed. Participants will each have a short period of time to speak. Everyone is welcome.

Full event details here: http://protectpeel.ca/news/peel-watershed-celebration

Please feel free to contact Nadine Sander-Green (nsandergreen@cpawsyukon.org or 867-393 8080 ext. 9) if you have any questions or would like to set up an interview.

Peel Watershed in Whitehorse

Peel watershed celebration in Whitehorse

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Peel watershed celebration in Whitehorse

Header Image: Snake River, Tayu Hayward

It’s time to celebrate our Supreme Court of Canada victory, and all of you who have put so much energy, hard work and dedication into protecting the Peel Watershed! Join us at the Kwanlin Dun Cultural Centre starting at 4:30 pm on February 2nd for an evening jammed-packed with storytelling, delicious food, dancing to live music and so much more. The event is free and everyone is welcome. There are three separate parts to the evening. Feel free to come to any or all of them. The celebration is an alcohol-free event.

Celebration Schedule

4:30 pm– 7:00 pm: Fire lighting, water ceremony and story sharing circle*

7:00 pm – 9:00 pm: Buffet dinner and speeches

9:00 pm – 11:00 pm: Live music and dance

* What does the Peel Watershed mean to you? We will gather to share our stories, memories and reflections. Participants will each have a short period of time to speak. Feel free to come and just listen. No pre-registration is required and there will be no recording (audio, photography, video) of any kind during the sharing circle to ensure a safe, welcoming environment. Everyone is welcome.

celebration peel
ClothingDesigns_Jan22

Wilderness values meet style in our new clothing designs

Wilderness values meet style in our new clothing designs

Our new swag has arrived!

We are beyond excited to share these new designs. We worked hard to ensure our new clothes are ethical, comfortable and stylish. We were blown away with the end result. Swing by the CPAWS Yukon office to pick a t-shirt, sweater and baseball cap up today!

The story behind the designs 

Last year, we were lucky to have Tara Conway, a clothing designer from Patagonia, travel to Whitehorse to volunteer with us for six weeks. We had been wanting to update our T-shirts for a while (think big green CPAWS Yukon logo smack in the middle of oversized white t-shirt) and Tara’s arrival seemed like the perfect opportunity.

We wanted garments that spoke to our values as a wilderness conservation organization, were produced sustainably and most of all, looked sharp. Our top priority was for supporters to actually take these pieces of clothing out of their closets, wear them and feel great. How many cotton t-shirts do we have — from that running race or volunteer position — stuffed in a drawer that never see the light of day? And how often do you have the chance to buy clothing that you actually want to wear, where all the proceeds are going to a charitable organization that align with your values? 

The final designs 

Tara, with her creative eye and adventurous spirit, explored everywhere from downtown Whitehorse to the Dempster Highway to Montana Mountain to find inspiration for her work. She came back to the office with a rich colour palette and a series of images as a starting point. Then she got down to work.

It was fascinating to watch the process coming to life. The three final designs embody the spirit of the work we do here at CPAWS Yukon and speak to the territory’s rich landscape and culture.  

The design Tara hand-drew for the T-shirt gives a sense of movement and water. The beauty in this design is the subtlety and intricacy: to each person it tells a different story. We love the fun, playful canoe on the sweatshirt as it speaks to Yukon’s our connection with rivers, and of course the Peel Watershed. The baseball cap has entirely its own feel, with a throwback to an old parks service logo from decades ago.

The garments 

We researched long and hard for the most ethically produced pieces that weren’t going to break the bank. The sweatshirts and most of the T-shirts are proudly made in Canada. They’re incredibly soft and keep their shape over time. Trust us, when you put them on, you won’t take them off.

How to get yours 

The new swag is now available for sale at our CPAWS Yukon office, at the Peel Celebration and events in the future. T-shirts (youth, women’s and men’s) and baseball caps are $25, kids T-shirts are $20 and sweatshirts are $50. Cash, credit card and e-transfer accepted.

Join the family

For a minimum donation of $10, you can become a CPAWS Yukon member. Membership benefits include 10% discount on all CPAWS Yukon Merchendise, a win-win, really! Memberships can be purchased at our office.

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