Strategic plan - CPAWS Yukon

2021-2025 Strategic Plan

BACKGROUND

When CPAWS Yukon last developed a Strategic Plan in 2017, the organization was transitioning from a period where we focused exclusively on the Peel Watershed, to working on a range of conservation issues across the Yukon.

In the years since, the organization has transformed and successfully transitioned to take on a range of new projects, in alignment with the 2017-2020 Strategic Plan. In that time, the organization has grown from 5 to 9 staff.

In preparation for this strategic planning process, a survey was completed by each member of staff and board. This allowed us to identify a range of themes and perspectives prior to gathering for the in person session.

On February 28th and 29th 2020, CPAWS staff and board gathered for a two-day strategic planning session, hosted by David Thomson of TREC. Almost immediately after the conclusion of the meetings, the COVID-19 pandemic escalated and put this planning process on hold. In the intervening months, we have taken on many lessons and changes. We have also had the addition of several new board members.

This 4-year strategic plan is an amalgamation of the output from the February meetings, and learnings that occurred during the months that followed. It will be used to guide our work and decision making, but it is a working document and can be updated as needed over the duration of the planning period.

MISSION STATEMENT AND VALUES

MISSION

CPAWS Yukon aims to conserve the Yukon’s ecologically and culturally important lands and waters for all. The world is rapidly losing its wilderness, and conservation must be a pillar in the Yukon so that our rich wildlife and diverse landscapes receive the protection they deserve.

VALUES

We advocate for wilderness protection and believe that this can only be achieved through collaboration;
We promote ecological integrity and a resilient, sustainable future for the Yukon;
We respect First Nations and the Inuvialuit and their traditional territories across the Yukon. We recognize that if we are to be truly successful in our efforts to conserve wilderness, we must work collaboratively with First Nations & the Inuvialuit in the spirit of reconciliation;
Our efforts are grounded in respect for both traditional knowledge and western science;
We respect the Yukon First Nation Final Agreements, the Inuvialuit Final Agreement, and other Aboriginal rights and titles;
Climate change is the greatest challenge of our era and CPAWS Yukon is committed to working with Yukon First Nations to face this challenge, and to our role in helping conserve intact boreal forests, wetlands, and biodiverse habitats in Canada’s north;
We are committed to Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion. We recognize that as an organization, we still have significant progress to make in this area.

FIVE YEAR STRATEGIC VISION

By 2026, CPAWS Yukon will have helped to ensure that the following statements are true:

55% of the Peel Watershed has been permanently protected, with completed management plans in place. The additional 28% of the region marked for interim protection remains intact.
The Dawson land use planning process has been completed, with around 50% of the region protected.
Planning is complete, or underway, in the Northern Tutchone planning region, and the Beaver River Watershed remains roadless.
Ross River Dena Council have completed planning and are en route to establishing an Indigenous Protected and Conserved Area (IPCA).
Threats to the Arctic Refuge have been averted, and the future of the Porcupine Caribou Herd is assured.
There is a clear path to establishment of IPCAs in the traditional territories of the Inuvialuit and Yukon First Nations; both with and without Final Agreements.
The Yukon public has embraced the idea of protecting a Yukon-wide network of large interconnected areas, with each of the territory’s ecoregions adequately represented.
Any resource extraction is done sustainably with an environment first lens that includes linkages to public health, with any new development being done with the minimal need for new roads.
Effective legislative controls are in place to protect the Yukon’s wildlife and natural ecosystems.

FOUR YEAR GOALS

CPAWS Yukon is focused on wilderness conservation, primarily through the development and maintenance of parks and protected areas. This means that we advocate for the protection of ecological integrity, biodiversity and the maintenance of existing protected areas. When considering any new opportunities, they should be considered through this lens.

Over the coming four years, we have identified the following goals for the organization. Priority Goals will be first to receive our attention; Secondary Goals, though still important, will receive attention where capacity is available. Operational Goals are those that contribute to the overall health of the organization, such as operations and administration, human resources and fundraising.

PRIORITY GOALS

Goal 1: Protecting the Porcupine Caribou Herd

Each year, the Porcupine Caribou Herd migrates from the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska to the Northwest Territories via the Yukon. They are the last great barren ground caribou herd in Canada and their survival is critical to the people of the Yukon and the NWT, particularly the Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation in Old Crow and the Gwich’in in the NWT who rely on the herd to sustain their way of life.

Objective 1: The imminent threats of leasing and seismic testing in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge have been averted, and efforts to permanently protect the Arctic Refuge are underway.
Objective 2: Appropriate protection exists for the herd within the Yukon.

Goal 2: Supporting First Nations in Land Use Planning

In 2019, a new Dawson Land Use Planning Commission was formed, and since that time, they have been working to develop a land use plan for the region. Because the area is better known for gold than for its critical ecological and cultural values, there is the need for a campaign in support of the conservation goals identified by Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in, as well as other critical ecological hotspots.

We are also expecting a new land use planning process to begin in 2021, in a different region of the Yukon. We believe it is important to support the First Nations who have traditional territory in this region, at the level that they feel is helpful.

Objective 1: CPAWS Yukon is well positioned to provide support to any First Nation undertaking regional land use planning, with the skills and capacity to help them achieve their conservation goals.
Objective 2: Yukoners understand and are more engaged with the values of the regions undergoing mining.
Objective 3: Each completed regional land use plan includes protection for at least 50% of the region, ample connectivity and consideration for how climate change may change the landscape in the future (climate refugia).
Objective 4: Any First Nation who decides to undertake sub-regional land use planning has the support they need to achieve their conservation goals.

Goal 3: Supporting other First Nations led conservation efforts

Ross River Dena Council, Liard First Nation and White River First Nation have not signed treaties, and are working on self-led conservation planning in their traditional territories. They have an opportunity to establish new protected areas that would forever conserve their cultural and ecological values.

Objective 1: The three First Nations without Final Agreements have the support that they require in order to achieve significant conservation in their traditional territory through the creation of an IPCA, or networks of IPCAs.

Goal 4: Defending land from transformative development

Over recent years, large landscape scale development has threatened areas where land use planning has not been completed. Local YESAB offices lack the mandate and resources to fully consider the future impacts and cumulative effects of these projects. This includes the Beaver River Watershed, which is under threat from a 65 km road, despite its clear ecological and cultural values. In order to maintain these regions, or at least to ensure that the decisions are made at the appropriate level, it is critical to support First Nations who are defending against transformative developments in their lands.

Objective 1: No transformative projects are completed in the absence of land use planning.
Objective 2: The McIntyre Creek area is free from new development, and there is a path to the establishment of a new urban park or other long-term protection.
Objective 3: Popular recreation areas, where formal protection may come in the future, are well managed to ensure they are not overly degraded.

Goal 5: Ensuring a strong framework for environmental protection

Yukon currently has a patchwork of legislation and regulations, some of which remain largely unchanged since the early 20th century. In order to ensure strong management of the land in areas where land use planning has not been completed and in areas marked for development, it is important that these are brought up to date and that strong rules are in place to protect land and wildlife.

Objective 1: The Yukon has a strong and modern regulatory framework in place, including a Species at Risk Act, a Wetlands Policy, 21st century mining regulations, mining road regulations and off-road vehicle regulations.

SECONDARY GOALS

The following goals will be addressed where there is an opportunity and where they do not interfere with the primary goals.

Goal 6: Embracing Emerging Concepts

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way we think about the world around us. While not new, holistic approaches like One Health that consider the linkages of human health, wildlife health, and land health are gaining new prominence. IPCAs and Indigenous land guardians are becoming key pillars of modern conservation around the world. In order for CPAWS Yukon to remain at the forefront of our sector, it is critical that we continue to embrace these and other emerging ideas, and that we incorporate them into our work in a meaningful way.

Goal 7: Addressing Climate Change

Climate change is the most urgent issue of our era and unless it’s addressed, changes to the landscape and biodiversity mean that our conservation efforts could be undermined. We are starting to understand more about how undisturbed natural ecosystems have built in resilience enabling them to adapt to changes including climate change. Though we are not a climate change organization, this goal will be addressed wherever it aligns with our mandate. This includes considering climate mitigation in our conservation efforts, working towards nature based climate solutions and providing support to the Yukon’s nascent youth climate activist movement.

Goal 8: National Parks in the Yukon

Parks Canada has long held an interest in creating a national park within Region 7, which straddles the Yukon and northern British Columbia. CPAWS Yukon will support First Nations in this region, and others, who wish to have a National Park established within their traditional territory.

OPERATIONAL GOALS

Goal 9: Commit to Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

CPAWS Yukon recognizes both the historical and current practices of colonialism and racism within the conservation sector. We also recognize that these issues remain within our own organization, and that we have work to do if we want to fully live our values. Through our work to get ready for reconciliation, deliberate recruitment practices and other internal processes, we will commit to ongoing learning and enacting change within the organization.

Goal 10: Diversified Funding

Since 2017, CPAWS Yukon has successfully diversified our funding beyond the Peel Watershed. At the same time, the organization has grown dramatically in order to meet new conservation opportunities, and a reliance on a small number of large funders, combined with the need for increased funding, makes our position more precarious. In order to ensure that we are able to achieve our ambitious conservation agenda, we will need to continue working to diversify our funding and attract new financial supporters.

Goal 11: Replacing the CPAWS office

CPAWS Yukon owns the building that we operate in, but in order for it to remain viable as a place of work, it would require an extremely costly overhaul. For this reason, over the next four years we will seek to either partner with a developer to build a new mixed commercial/residential building at the existing location or to purchase a new space and sell the existing building.

Goal 12: Expanding and Engaging our Membership

Conservation organizations like CPAWS Yukon are reliant on a strong and active membership base, who are willing to volunteer, take action and speak out on the issues that are important to us, as well as to donate. We also know that many people look to us for leadership on environmental issues in the Yukon. For these reasons, it is critical to expand our membership, while maintaining strong links to, and appreciation for our existing members.

ONGOING COMMITMENTS

Over the next four years, the following activities will remain priorities for the organization on a day-to-day basis. They are not strategic goals, but are captured here because they will require a significant allocation of resources:

Maintain a positive and compelling communications style, with the goal of normalizing large-scale, representative conservation as something that simply makes sense in the Yukon.
Participate in other conservation exercises by working with First Nations and federal or territorial governments. This may be through initiatives such as Pathway to Target 1 or other localised park planning processes.
Engage in YESAB and other government-led planning and policy processes in order to minimize impacts on parks, protected areas, critical wildlife habitats or delicate ecosystems.
Support the Yukon Conservation Society and other non-governmental organizations on mining and energy issues where they impact on parks, protected areas, critical wildlife habitats or delicate ecosystems.
Participate, as appropriate, in campaigns led by CPAWS national and other chapters.

CPAWS ROLE IN ISSUES THAT INDIRECTLY AFFECT CONSERVATION

While it is tempting to get involved in any number of environmental issues across the territory, it is important to remain focused on our mandate. For this reason, CPAWS will look to other organizations to take leadership when it comes to work in these areas:

Work on energy or mining issues, where it does not have a direct impact on a park, protected area, areas proposed for protection, critical wildlife habitat or a delicate ecosystem; and where it does not impose unwanted transformative development before land use planning can occur.
Any other environmental issue that does not relate directly to parks, protected areas, critical wildlife habitat or delicate ecosystems.

Past Strategic Plans

2017-2020 Strategic Plan
Background
For many years, the work of CPAWS Yukon has focused almost exclusively on the campaign to protect the Peel Watershed. After the legal case was heard by the Supreme Court of Canada in March 2017, the campaign transitioned to a new, less public, phase. This has required a significant change in focus for the organization. During the transition period, CPAWS Yukon had a relatively new staff, making it an opportune time to re-imagine our future.
In preparation for the strategic planning process, a survey was completed by each member of staff and board. Additionally, interviews were done with a number of external stakeholders. These included two First Nations chiefs, a funder, a former executive director and a past board president. These exercises allowed us to identify a range of themes and perspectives for the future of the organization. Lastly, staff and board were invited to create a one-page briefing document, if they had a specific project/campaign idea, to present to the rest of the group.
On March 3rd & 4th 2017, CPAWS staff and board gathered for a two-day strategic planning session, hosted by David Thomson of TREC. This 3-year strategic plan is the output from that meeting. It is a working document and will be updated as needed over the duration of the planning period.
Mission Statement & Values
CPAWS Yukon aims to preserve vast tracts of the Yukon’s most beautiful and ecologically important lands and waters for all. In a world that is rapidly losing its wilderness, we want conservation to be a pillar in the Yukon so that our rich wildlife and diverse landscapes receive the protection they deserve. We support fair and democratic land-use planning that respects the rights of Yukon First Nations, engages all Yukoners and recognizes the importance of protected areas as a means to promote ecological integrity and a sustainable future for the Yukon.
During the strategic planning session, significant energy was put towards identifying the values of the organization. These are our key values:
- We advocate for wilderness protection and believe that this can only be achieved through collaboration;
- We respect the sovereignty of First Nations people and their traditional territory across the Yukon. We recognize that we cannot be truly successful in our efforts to conserve wilderness if we do not work collaboratively with First Nations people and in the spirit of reconciliation;
- Our efforts are grounded in both western science and traditional knowledge;
- We respect the land use planning process, as outlined in Chapter 11 of the Umbrella Final Agreement and;
- Though our work is focused on conservation, we believe that climate change is the greatest challenge of our era. Everything we do must be viewed through this lens.
Strategic Vision
By 2022, our vision is that CPAWS Yukon — and our partners — have helped ensure that the following statements are true:
- The Peel Watershed Planning Commission’s Final Recommended Plan has been fully implemented;
- The method of permanent protection for 55% of the Peel Watershed has either been implemented or implementation is underway;
- Other land use planning processes are underway or completed with all parties and the public fully engaged;
- The Yukon public has embraced the idea of protecting a Yukon wide network of large interconnected, representative areas of each of the territory’s ecoregions;
- Resource extraction is done sustainably with an environment first lens, and any new development is being done with the minimal need for roads;
- Effective strategies are in place for protecting the Yukon’s wildlife, including a Yukon Species at Risk Act;
- The data exists and a plan is in place for Yukon Government to implement a territory-wide conservation strategy and;
- The future of the Porcupine Caribou Herd is assured.
Three-Year Goals
CPAWS Yukon is focused on wilderness conservation, primarily through the development and maintenance of parks and protected areas. This means that we advocate for the protection of ecological integrity, bio-diversity and the maintenance of existing protected areas. When considering any new opportunities, they should be considered through this lens.
Over the coming three years, we have identified the following goals for the organization. Priority Goals will be first to receive our attention; Secondary Goals, though still important, will receive attention where capacity is available. Operational Goals are those that contribute to the overall health of the organization, such as human resources and fundraising.
PRIORITY GOALS
Goal 1: The Peel Watershed
Working to protect the Peel Watershed has long been CPAWS Yukon’s leading campaign. The current phase of the campaign is reaching its logical conclusion and it is likely that the volume of work required will change as the campaign moves forward over the next three years. Despite this, it is critical that we remain focused on this important campaign.
Objectives:
- Objective 1: Implementation of the Final Recommended Peel Land Use Plan;
- Objective 2: Legislated permanent protection will be given to 55% of the Peel within three years, through the implementation of a park or alternative method. The additional 25% will be converted from interim to permanent protection after the scheduled 10-year review;
- Objective 3: The protected Peel Watershed will grow as a source of sustainable economic development including, but not limited to, tourism initiatives led and informed by local communities and First Nations.
Goal 2: The Porcupine Caribou Herd
Each year, the Porcupine Caribou Herd migrates from the Arctic National Wildlife Reserve (ANWR) in Alaska to the Northwest Territories via the Yukon. They are the last great barren ground caribou herd in Canada and their survival is critical to the people of the Yukon, particularly the Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation in Old Crow who rely on the herd to sustain their way of life. While their population is currently healthy, we have seen the rapid decline of other herds recently and there is proposed development within their habitat that could put them at severe risk.
Objectives:
- Objective 1: The Governments of Alaska and the United States have re-instated protection of the Porcupine Caribou Herd’s calving grounds within ANWR;
- Objective 2: Appropriate protection exists for the herd within the Yukon.
Goal 3: Conservation Gains through Land Use Planning
While we have been awaiting the release of the Supreme Court of Canada ruling, land use planning has been suspended across the Yukon. Yukon Government has indicated that the Land Use Planning process will restart soon after the decision is released. In order to ensure that this is done effectively, CPAWS will need to provide meaningful input into the process. This will include providing input throughout the process, as well as a significant amount of public engagement and education work.
The overarching ambition for this goal is to have the scientific information available that will allow us to engage in this process effectively and credibly, using a “bigger picture” approach that addresses both the land use planning region itself and the Yukon as a whole.
While we know that there is some conservation data available to meet these needs, it’s extremely sparse compared to other jurisdictions across Canada. Moreover, the available data is often regionalized and was created by disparate sources such as First Nations, Yukon Government, Yukon College and non-governmental organizations. This means existing data is often difficult to access when needed.
Objectives:
- Objective 1: CPAWS Yukon will lead a detailed analysis of the conservation data that currently exists and will centralize it into an atlas of territory-wide conservation values.
- Objective 2: Gaps in the existing data will be identified and highlighted.
- Objective 3: Where possible, CPAWS Yukon will partner with other groups to generate new data that fills in these gaps.
SECONDARY GOALS
The following goals will be addressed where there is an opportunity and where they do not interfere with the primary goals.
Goal 4: Region 7
Parks Canada has long held an interest in creating a national park within Region 7 which straddles the Yukon and northern British Columbia, however there are a number of significant barriers making it difficult to move forward with this project. CPAWS will continue to monitor the situation on Region 7 and will take action to move this work forward, where appropriate.
Goal 5: Addressing Climate Change
Climate change is the biggest issue of our era and unless it’s addressed, changes to the landscape mean that our conservation efforts could be undermined. For this reason, it must be a consideration in any work that we do. Though climate change action is not a primary goal, it will be addressed wherever it aligns with our mandate.
Goal 6: Promoting Sustainable Economic Development
For many people within the Yukon, the resource extraction industry appears to be their only option for private employment and business development. This is particularly the case in rural communities. Credible economic alternatives can be presented through conservation and protected areas. Where possible, we will help address this need and present positive alternatives, such as ecotourism or renewable energy initiatives.
OPERATIONAL GOALS
Goal 7: Diversified Funding
At present, the majority of CPAWS Yukon’s funding is tied directly to the Peel Watershed campaign. It is critical for the long-term sustainability of the organization that funding is found for other priorities.
Goal 8: Long-term funding for a communications position
Strong communications is key to strong public engagement. As a campaigning organization, it is critical for CPAWS Yukon to engage with the public as they are our leverage when we negotiate with other agencies. This is particularly relevant as the organization moves beyond the Peel Watershed campaign. In order to maintain strong public engagement, funding must be found to keep a full-time communications officer on staff.
Goal 9: Maintain the CPAWS office
CPAWS Yukon owns the building that we work in. It is important to continue regular and preventative maintenance in order to sustain the value of the building as a place of work, as an investment and as a part of our sustainable financial future.
Ongoing Commitments
Over the next three years, the following activities will remain priorities for the organization on a day-to-day basis. They are not strategic goals, but are captured here because they will require a significant allocation of resources:
- Participate in conservation of priority areas outside of the land use planning process by working with First Nations and federal or territorial governments. This may be through initiatives such as Pathway to Target 1 or other localised park planning processes;
- Engage in YESAB and other government-led planning and policy processes in order to minimize impacts on parks, protected areas, critical wildlife habitats or delicate eco-systems;
- Support the Yukon Conservation Society and other non-governmental organizations on mining and energy issues where they impact on parks, protected areas, critical wildlife habitats or delicate eco-systems and;
- Participate, as appropriate, in campaigns led by CPAWS national and other chapters.
CPAWS role in issues that indirectly affect conservation
While it is tempting to get involved in any number of environmental issues across the territory, it is important to remain focused on our mandate. For this reason, CPAWS will look to other organizations to take leadership when it comes to work in these areas:
- Work on energy or mining issues, where it does not have a direct impact on a park, protected area, critical wildlife habitat or a delicate eco-system;
- Any other environmental issue that does not relate directly to parks, protected areas, critical wildlife habitat or delicate ecosystems.