Through the Canada-Yukon Nature Agreement, the Government of Yukon is advancing efforts to protect and conserve the Yukon’s natural landscapes while supporting Indigenous leadership in conservation, protecting species at risk and monitoring cumulative effects on the environment.
The Yukon’s total protected area has increased to 21.1 per cent under the Canada-Yukon Nature Agreement, the highest percentage of any province or territory in Canada. The Yukon now has 101,710 square kilometres of protected land, which is comparable to the size of the country of Iceland.
To support Indigenous-led conservation in the Yukon, the Government of Yukon established the Indigenous-led Conservation Capacity Fund. Through the fund, the government has directed $2.1 million to date to support seven Indigenous-led projects that promote conservation, climate change adaptation, habitat and species protection and transfer of Indigenous knowledge.
The Canada-Yukon Nature Agreement is also enhancing the government’s fish and wildlife surveying and monitoring efforts to increase background knowledge that will support upcoming regional land use planning and environmental assessment processes. In 2023–24, the government studied the winter recreation effects on southern lakes caribou, completed surface disturbance maps for the Southern Lakes and Teslin areas and advanced work on a cumulative effects decision support tool for caribou.
Looking forward through to 2026, the Government of Yukon is focusing efforts on co-developing an approach to species at risk and an ecological cumulative effects framework with Yukon First Nations and transboundary Indigenous governments and groups. This work is supported by a $343,000 funding agreement with the Council of Yukon First Nations, which will provide advisory support on these efforts.
The Government of Yukon will also continue efforts to protect and conserve areas of the Yukon to support Canada’s goal of protecting 30 per cent of lands and waters across the country by 2030. Key initiatives include advancing protection of the Chasàn Chùa (McIntyre Creek) area of Whitehorse, exploring a national park in the Peel Watershed, continuing planning work for the Pickhandle Lakes Habitat Protection Area and implementing the Peel Watershed Regional Land Use Plan.
In the face of challenges like population growth, industrial development, climate change impacts and biodiversity loss it is more important than ever to protect nature in the Yukon. We acknowledge the deep connection to the land that Indigenous governments and groups carry as part of their histories and cultures. With the support of the Government of Canada and Indigenous governments and groups in the territory, we remain committed to advancing the Yukon’s conservation priorities together to benefit Yukoners for generations to come.
The Canada-Yukon Nature Agreement was significant – it was the first of its kind when it was signed in front of the world at COP15 in Montreal in 2022. I’m pleased with the progress the Government of Yukon has made since on shared nature priorities including Indigenous-led conservation, protected areas and support for species at risk and their habitats. This is the scale of commitment and collaboration required by all levels of government to stop biodiversity loss and conserve 30 per cent of lands and waters in Canada by 2030.
It was an honour to attend the celebration of the Aullaviat/Aunguniarvik Traditional Conservation Area Agreement in Aklavik earlier this year. This celebration, an early success for the Canada-Yukon Nature Agreement, marked a major milestone for Indigenous-led conservation in the Yukon and for wildlife and species at risk. I’m very pleased with the Government of Yukon’s progress on our shared nature priorities. It is through partnerships like this that Canada will progress toward conserving 30 per cent of lands and waters in Canada by 2030.
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The Canada-Yukon Nature Agreement took effect in April 2023. Under the agreement, the Government of Canada is providing $20.6 million to support the Yukon’s conservation priorities.
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Under the Canada-Yukon Nature Agreement, the Government of Yukon is engaging with, and where appropriate, consulting with affected Indigenous governments to implement the Agreement, including respecting constitutionally protected Aboriginal and treaty rights and those as defined in any Final Agreement.
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The increase in protected areas in the Yukon is due to the protection of lands following ratification of the Aullaviat/Aunguniarvik Traditional Conservation Area Agreement in June 2024 for the Yukon’s Eastern North Slope and accounting for a number of other small parcels in the Peel watershed region.
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Through the Indigenous-led Conservation Capacity Fund, the following Indigenous governments and groups are receiving funding, with conversations ongoing to support other Indigenous government or group initiatives.
- Liard First Nation
- Carcross/Tagish First Nation
- Kluane First Nation
- First Nation of Nacho Nyak Dun
- Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation
- Kwanlin Dün First Nation
- Wildlife Management Advisory Council (North Slope)
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The Government of Yukon signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Kwanlin Dün First Nation, Ta’an Kwäch’än Council, the City of Whitehorse and Parks Canada to protect the Chasàn Chùa (McIntyre Creek) area of Whitehorse in April 2024.
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The Government of Yukon, Parks Canada, Gwich’in Tribal Council and the First Nation of Nacho Nyak Dun announced a commitment to explore the feasibility of a national park in the Peel Watershed in April 2024.
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Under the Canada-Yukon Nature Agreement, the Government of Yukon is required to report its progress on the outcomes of the agreement. The Canada-Yukon Nature Agreement Progress Report for 2023–24 is now available on Yukon.ca.
Laura Seeley
Cabinet Communications
867-332-7627
[email protected]
Kyle Nightingale
Environment, Communications
867-334-5922
[email protected]