The Government of Yukon is releasing its second progress report on conservation efforts under the Canada-Yukon Nature Agreement. The 2024–25 Canada-Yukon Nature Agreement progress report highlights the important conservation initiatives being taken in partnership with Indigenous governments, groups and co-management bodies in the Yukon.
Advancing protected and conserved areas
Key protected area work since the agreement took effect in April 2023 includes signing onto the Aullaviat/Anguniarvik Traditional Conservation Area Agreement for the Yukon’s Eastern North Slope with the Inuvialuit and the Government of Canada; exploring the feasibility of a national park in the Peel Watershed with the Gwich'in Tribal Council, First Nation of Na-Cho Nyäk Dun and the Government of Canada; signing onto a Memorandum of Understanding to explore the potential for a new protected area in the in the Tū Łī́dlini (Ross River) with Ross River Dena Council and Parks Canada; and advancing engagement on protecting Chasàn Chùa (McIntyre Creek), with Kwanlin Dün First Nation, Ta’an Kwäch’än Council and the City of Whitehorse, which was officially designated a territorial park in June 2025.
Supporting Indigenous-led conservation
The Government of Yukon has directed $3.3 million of the agreement’s funds to support 17 funding agreements with Indigenous governments, groups and co-management bodies. These agreements are advancing Indigenous-led conservation and supporting projects focused on conservation planning, community stewardship projects, land and guardian programs, youth culture camps and Indigenous participation at the 2025 Yukon North Slope Conference focusing on Indigenous Conservation Economies, co-hosted by the Government of Yukon and the Wildlife Management Advisory Council (North Slope). The funding through these 17 agreements is in addition to the funding provided directly to First Nations and Inuvialuit by the Government of Canada for nature conservation.
Monitoring and protecting species at risk
As part of the Canada-Yukon Nature Agreement’s objectives, the government advanced research and monitoring work on several species under the federal Species at Risk Act, including little brown bats, northern mountain caribou, collared pika, wolverine and grizzly bear and a conservation plan for wood bison. The government also initiated engagement with Indigenous governments, groups and co-management bodies on co-developing an approach to protect species at risk and an ecological cumulative effects framework for the Yukon.
We have made great strides in our effort to increase protection and conservation of important lands and waters in the Yukon. Advancing conservation not only protects against the impacts of population growth, industrial development and biodiversity loss, but it is also an act of reconciliation by protecting areas where Indigenous governments, groups and co-management bodies carry a deep connection to the land, their histories and cultures. Thank you to the Government of Canada and Indigenous governments, groups and co-management bodies for working together with us to protect the Yukon’s lands and waters for future generations.
I would like to congratulate the Government of Yukon’s ongoing progress on our shared nature priorities. Our governments, alongside Yukon First Nations and the Inuvialuit, continue to work together to protect and conserve biodiversity, habitat and species at risk. As the first of its kind, the Canada-Yukon Nature Agreement is a significant step towards stopping biodiversity loss and is contributing to the conservation of 30 per cent of lands and waters in Canada by 2030.
Conservation is an investment in the future of humanity and we are doing so in a way that benefits everyone. Canada’s whole-of-society approach means that everyone – governments, Indigenous peoples, businesses, communities and individuals – must work together to protect nature. Agreements like the Canada–Yukon Nature Agreement offer a transformative, holistic approach to protecting 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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The Yukon’s total protected area count is 21.1 per cent, the highest percentage of any province or territory in Canada and provides key contributions to Canada’s goal of protecting 30 per cent of lands and waters by 2030.
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Chasàn Chùa Territorial Park was officially designated in June 2025 and protects approximately 36 square kilometres in the City of Whitehorse.
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The Aullaviat/Anguniarvik Traditional Conservation Area Agreement was signed in June 2024 and ensures conservation and protection of approximately 8,500 square kilometres on the Yukon’s Eastern North Slope.
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Funding from the Canada-Yukon Nature Agreement supported Indigenous participation at the January 2025 Yukon North Slope Conference which welcomed Indigenous governments, groups and co-management bodies from across the territory and the country to Whitehorse to learn about Indigenous-led conservation initiatives and economic opportunities intertwined with land stewardship.
Laura Seeley
Cabinet Communications
867-332-7627
[email protected]
Chantelle Rivest
Communications. Environment
867-334-9815
[email protected]