Wild Discoveries
2025 events calendar
Wild Discoveries is a program that provides opportunities for Yukoners and visitors to learn about and engage with the natural world. We offer interpretive walks and hikes, talks and public presentations that focus on a specific wildlife topic.
Scroll down to view events. Check back regularly as we add events throughout the year.
All events are free unless otherwise noted. Events with capacity restrictions require registration. If applicable, a registration link will be included in the event description. Cancel your registration if you cannot attend so we can offer the spot to someone on the waitlist.
Some of our events take place in hard to find locations. For those events, we use a service called what3words to show the exact meeting location. Simply click on the link provided, if applicable.
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Events
Events in and around Whitehorse
*We've recently changed the layout of this page. Please scroll down to access Events in the communities and Kids programming or use the links above.*
Balade découverte sur les plantes sauvages
Lundi 14 juillet
Activité en français! Partez à la découverte des plantes boréales au gré d’une balade et d’une discussion avec Sylvie Binette, biologiste et fervente adepte d’ethnobotanique. L’atelier porte sur la découverte, l’identification et l’utilisation responsable des plantes locales. Sylvie Binette est propriétaire de Heavenly Wild, une petite entreprise de transformation de produits de cueillette que l’on retrouve aux marchés locaux de Whitehorse.
Heure : 19 h à 20 h 30
Coût : gratuit
Point de rencontre : stationnement du canyon Miles.
Voir le point de rencontre sur la carte.
Neighbourhood nature: McIntyre Creek
Thursday, July 17
Explore local trails as part of our neighbourhood nature series. On this walk, we’ll explore the trails along McIntyre Creek, between Yukon University and the Takhini neighbourhood. We'll pass by several wetlands and look for interesting plants along the way, as well as talk about how the area came to be.
This event involves walking up to 4 km on trails with a couple of short but fairly steep climbs.
Time: 7 to 8:30 pm
Cost: free
Location: Meet at the pumphouse at Middle McIntyre.
See a map of the meeting location.
Small mammals on the move
Tuesday, July 22
We know they’re out there, but it’s rare to see small critters like lemmings, mice and voles in the boreal forest. In this demonstration of live trapping, Tom Jung, senior wildlife biologist, will explain the role these rodents play in the ecosystem and the importance of monitoring them. You might even get to see one up close.
Time: 7 to 8 pm
Cost: free
Location: Meet at the parking lot at Hidden Lakes, off the Chadburn Lake Road.
See a map of the meeting location.
Herbal plant walk
Wednesday, July 23
Join herbalist and aromatherapist Beverley Gray on an interactive wild plant walk and talk. This workshop covers plant identification, usage and health benefits of local boreal wild plants and respectful gathering practices.
Beverley is the owner of Aroma Borealis in Whitehorse and author of The Boreal Herbal: Wild Food and Medicine Plants of the North.
Time: 7 to 9 pm
Cost: free
Please register in advance for this popular event, as space is limited.
Location: Off the Chadburn Lake Road in Whitehorse. The location will be shared with registered participants.
Neighbourhood nature: Riverdale
Monday, July 28
Explore local trails as part of our neighbourhood nature series. On this walk, we will explore the many small trails that existed before the Millenium trail was put in place, and we’ll see the many hidden areas where interesting plants may be found. We’ll eventually make our way to the Yukon River and Fish Ladder where we will talk about the role the water plays in this ecosystem, and how much the area has changed over the years.
This event involves walking up to 4 km on unpaved trails.
Time: 7 to 8:30 pm
Cost: free
Location: Riverdale. Meet at the parking lot on Selkirk Street beside the Millenium trail.
See a map of the meeting location.
Fuel breaks with benefits
Wednesday, July 30
Many locals know about the large fuel break being built to help protect Whitehorse from wildfires. While its main goal is active fire protection, these areas could also provide other community benefits. Plant ecologist Jill Johnstone will lead an interactive walk through part of the Whitehorse South fuel break to view revegetation experiments and discuss how fuel breaks can be more sustainable and useful for northern communities.
Dr. Johnstone is a research associate at Yukon University in Whitehorse and the University of Alaska Fairbanks, specializing in boreal fire ecology.
Time: 7 to 9 pm
Cost: free
Location: Meet at the parking lot of the Mt. Sima ski hill. We will carpool from there to research plots located along the Copper Haul Road towards Mary Lake.
Mt. Anderson wildflower hike
Saturday, August 2
On this hike in the Wheaton valley, we’ll climb into the alpine looking for flowers, caribou, marmots, raptors and butterflies along the way. This full-day hike follows an ATV track and involves significant elevation gain. You’ll need sturdy hiking boots, warm clothing layers, trekking poles, lunch, water and snacks.
Distance and terrain: hiking 14 km with 867 m of elevation gain.
Time: 9:30 am to 5 pm
Cost: free
Registration is required so we can provide event updates if needed.
Register for this event (opens at noon two weeks before).
Location: Meet at the parking lot at the start of the Annie Lake Road on the South Klondike Highway, about 17 km from the Alaska Highway turnoff. From there, we'll carpool /caravan 34 km on a gravel road to the trailhead.
See a map of the meeting location.
A berry interesting walk (at lunchtime!)
Tuesday, August 5
Join Wildlife Viewing on a quick lunch-hour walk to identify berries coming into season, including the poisonous Baneberry.
Time: 12:15 to 1 pm
Cost: free
Location: Meet at the pedestrian bridge to Bert Law Park (near Robert Service Campground) in Whitehorse.
See a map of the meeting location.
Neighbourhood nature: Wolf Creek subdivision
Wednesday, August 6
This week on our neighbourhood nature walk, we’ll start along a lush creek and climb a small ridge offering a picturesque view over a wetland and look for a family of ducks and other waterbirds. We’ll continue looking for other birds and interesting plants along the ridge before looping back to the trailhead.
This event involves walking up to 4 km on undulating single-track and ATV trails with two short but steep hills.
Time: 7 to 8:30 pm
Cost: free
Location: Meet at the trail entrance on Harbottle Road, roughly halfway between Boss Road and Langholz Road, in the Wolf Creek subdivision (on the southwest side of the highway). Look for the Wildlife Viewing sign.
See a map of the meeting location.
Going batty in Whitehorse
Friday, August 8
This is the perfect event for the night owls among us! We’ll meet at the Chadburn Lake gazebo around sunset and walk about 15 minutes on a trail to some old cabins. Once the bats come out, we'll see biologists briefly capturing and tagging them as part of the Department of Environment's monitoring program. Bring warm layers, bug spray, sturdy walking shoes and a headlamp for the walk back.
Distance and terrain: walking about 2.5 km on a flat but rooty trail.
Time: 9:30 pm to midnight (you can leave earlier if you wish).
Cost: free
Meeting location: Chadburn Lake Recreation Site, at the end of the Chadburn Lake Road in Whitehorse.
See a map of the meeting location.
A salmon’s journey
Tuesday, August 12
This walk begins at the Whitehorse Fishladder, where Chinook Salmon must navigate around the Whitehorse Dam after swimming almost 3,000 km upriver towards their spawning areas. Join fisheries biologist Elizabeth MacDonald, vice-chair of the Yukon Salmon Sub-Committee, to learn about salmon ecology and habitat and how the dam has changed their journey.
This event involves walking up to 5 km on the paved Millennium trail. Polarized sunglasses are recommended to better see salmon in the water.
Time: 5:30 to 7 pm
Cost: free
Meeting location: Whitehorse Rapids Fish Ladder (end of Nisutlin Drive in Riverdale).
Mushroom power up 1
Thursday, August 14
Join local mushroom enthusiast Sam Skinner for a primer on fungi and a short walk to see how many we can identify. You’ll learn about the importance of fungi in our ecosystems and why a mushroom is like the tip of an iceberg in the ocean.
Distance and terrain: walking about 1 km over uneven, potentially hilly terrain.
Time: 7 to 8:30 pm
Cost: free
Registration is required for this popular event.
Register for this event (opens at noon two weeks before). Cancel your registration if you can’t attend so someone else can join.
Meeting location: Chadburn Lake area in Whitehorse; the exact location will be provided to registered participants.
Takhini salt flats walk
Tuesday, August 19
Discover what wildlife thrives in a salty environment. Join plant expert Bruce Bennett for a scenic stroll through a mosaic of meadow, open forest and ponds, and enjoy views of the surrounding mountains.
Rubber boots are recommended as are warm layers. This event involves a 90 km (return) drive from Whitehorse.
Distance and terrain: walking up to three kilometres over uneven terrain and gentle hills and potentially wet ground.
Time: 5 to 8:30 pm
Cost: free
Location: Meet at the Yukon Department of Environment at 10 Burns Road, Whitehorse. We will carpool/caravan 45 km (one way) to the site and back.
Mushroom power up 2
Thursday, August 21
Join local mushroom enthusiast Sam Skinner for a primer on fungi and a short walk to see how many we can identify. You’ll learn about the importance of fungi in our ecosystems and why a mushroom is like the tip of an iceberg in the ocean.
Distance and terrain: walking 1 km over uneven, potentially hilly terrain.
Time: 7 to 8:30 pm
Cost: free
Registration is required for this popular event. If you signed up for Mushroom power up 1, please do not register for this event.
Register for this event (opens at noon two weeks before). Cancel your registration if you can’t make it so someone else can join.
Meeting location: Yukon University in Whitehorse; the exact location will be provided to registered participants.
Neighbourhood nature: Hospital Ridge
Wednesday, August 27
Explore local trails as part of our neighbourhood nature series. On this walk, we'll look at the Subalpine Fir growing in the wrong spot as we enjoy views from the ridge.
This event involves walking up to 4 km on trails.
Time: 7 to 8:30 pm
Cost: free
Location: Meet at the first pullout on Wickstrom Road, on the river side (below the Thomson Centre) in Whitehorse.
See a map of the meeting location.
Red fish, blue fish
Wednesday, September 3
Kokanee Salmon are the land-locked version of Sockeye Salmon and can be found at Scout Lake. Fisheries biologists will lead an evening walk to view the salmon in their spawning colours and talk about their life cycle and history. Bring polarized sunglasses if you have them to see more easily into the water. Rubber boots are recommended.
Distance and terrain: walking about 3 km over uneven terrain with one steep, short hill.
Time: 6 to 9 pm
Cost: free
Location: Meet at the Yukon Department of Environment at 10 Burns Road, Whitehorse. We'll carpool/caravan 30 km to the site and back (about 60 km return); a high-clearance vehicle is required.
Stony Creek hike
Saturday, September 6
The climb up Stony Creek provides prime viewing. We’ll follow an ATV trail, looking for wildlife and taking in the views. At treeline, there’s a great place to have lunch before the final push to the summit. If there's time, we’ll walk farther along the ridge and look for Collared Pika and Hoary Marmots. This is a long day but oh-so worth it.
Distance and terrain: a 17-km hike with 890 m elevation gain. The first three-quarters of the hike follows an ATV trail; the last quarter involves off-trail alpine hiking.
Wear good hiking boots and bring warm layers and food/water.
Time: 9 am to 6 pm
Cost: free
Registration is requires so we can provide event updates.
Register for this event (opens at noon two weeks before).
Location: Meet at the Yukon Department of Environment at 10 Burns Road, Whitehorse. We will carpool/caravan 62 km to the site and back (184 km round trip).
Neighbourhood nature
Wednesday, September 10
Explore local trails as part of our neighbourhood nature series.
Time: 7 to 8:30 pm
Cost: free
Location: TBD. We'll update this soon.
Boogie-woogie Elk bugling
Thursday September Sept 18
The Elk are in the rut and their eerie calls (bugles) can be heard in the woods of the Takhini Valley. We’ll drive out to the Takhini Valley and call for these large members of the deer family to see if they respond. We’ll also talk about the history of these ungulates in the Yukon and how they survive here.
Dress warmly as summer is over and we’ll be out until dark.
Distance and terrain: walking approximately 3 km on uneven terrain and possibly in the woods.
Time: 6 to 9 pm
Cost: free
Location: Meet at the Yukon Department of Environment at 10 Burns Road, Whitehorse. We will carpool/caravan about 45 km to the site and back (90 km roundtrip).
More events to come, check back soon!
Events in the communities
Cancelled: Life along the Minto Bridge Trail – Mayo
Friday, July 11
This event has been cancelled due to wildfire activity.
Cancelled: Haldane hustle – Mayo
Saturday, July 12
This event has been cancelled due to wildfire activity.
Cancelled: Pika palace – Keno Hill
Sunday, July 13
This event has been cancelled due to wildfire activity.
Bye-bye birds – Teslin
Saturday, August 23 and Sunday, August 24
We’ll start the weekend with a nature walk on a local trail in Teslin, then it’s all about birds with a campfire program in the evening and early morning birding the next day. Although summer isn’t over, migratory birds will already be heading south for warmer climes and monitors at the Teslin Bird Observatory are paying attention! Learn about their daily species counts and get a close-up of the important conservation work they are doing.
Cost: all events are free.
Join for any or all events.
Saturday, 3 pm: Nature walk
Join Wildlife Viewing on a nature walk on a local trail in Teslin. More details to come.
Location: TBD.
Saturday, 7 pm: 20 (ish) years of the Teslin Lake Bird Observatory (campfire talk)
The Society of Yukon Bird Observatories promotes education, research and appreciation of Yukon birds. Learn about its history and methodology with Ted Murphy-Kelly, society founder.
Location: Teslin Lake Campground (km 1258 of Alaska Highway) picnic shelter (access/parking between sites 19 and 20).
Sunday, 7 am: birding at the observatory
Rise and shine! Tour the Teslin Lake Bird Observatory and see the techniques volunteers use to monitor bird migration, including mist netting and visual counts. You may get to see some birds up close as they are briefly captured and released.
Location: Teslin Lake Campground (km 1258 of Alaska Highway). Meet at the trailhead next to site 19 at 7 am. Volunteers will be working hard until about noon, but you can leave whenever you wish.
Note: If the weather is too cold and/or rainy, the bird demonstration will be limited, however you will still have the chance to learn about and tour the observatory.
If you are planning to attend any of these events, please register so we can let you know about any updates.
Kid's programming
Knee-High Nature and Free Range Kids
Spend time outdoors exploring the natural world with your kids. Each week, we’ll focus on a different theme, with hands-on activities and lots of movement. Knee-High Nature programs are targeted to toddlers, about four years old and under (siblings will have a good time too!). Free Range Kids programs are specifically designed for kids ages five to ten.
This is not child-minding. We require at least one adult for every four children.
Knee-High Nature: Itty bitty bugs – Tuesday, July 15
Knee-High Nature programs are specifically designed to introduce little ones (ages four and under) and their caregivers to plants, animals and their habitats. Each week, we’ll focus on a different theme, with hands-on activities and lots of movement. You and your young’uns are sure to enjoy this time together.
*This is not child-minding. We require at least one adult for every four children. This program is for children four and under.
This week we’ll be looking for arachnids and insects like butterflies, dragonflies, bees and more. Come join us for some fun!
Distance and terrain: easy exploring of the surrounding forest and trails.
Time: 10 to 11 am
Cost: free
Location: Jim Light Park in Whitehorse (at 3rd Avenue and Rogers Street).
See a map of the meeting location.
Knee-High Nature: Amazing amphibians – Tuesday, July 22
Knee-High Nature programs are specifically designed to introduce little ones (ages four and under) and their caregivers to plants, animals and their habitats. Small Wood Frogs live all over the Yukon and have amazing adaptations to live this far north. We’ll do some activities and learn about where to find them.
Distance and terrain: easy exploring of the surrounding forest and trails.
Time: 10 to 11 am
Cost: free
Location: Middle McIntyre Creek
See a map of the meeting location.
Free Range Kids: Frogs in bogs - Tuesday, July 22
Free Range Kids programs are specifically designed to help youth ages 5 to 10 and their caregivers explore plants, animals and their habitats. We’ll learn about Wood Frog habitat and how these amphibians are masters of disguise.
Distance and terrain: easy exploring of the surrounding forest and trails.
Time: 11 am to 12 pm
Cost: free
Location: Middle McIntyre Creek
See a map of the meeting location.
Knee-High Nature: Busy birds – Tuesday, July 29
Knee-High Nature programs are specifically designed to introduce little ones (ages four and under) and their caregivers to plants, animals and their habitats. This week we’ll learn about how to listen to bird calls and how birds found in the Yukon live.
Distance and terrain: easy exploring of the surrounding forest and trails.
Time: 10 to 11 am
Cost: free
Location: Whitehorse. Exact location will be added soon.
Free Range Kids: Building birds – Tuesday July 29
Free Range Kids programs are specifically designed to help youth ages 5 to 10 and their caregivers explore plants, animals and their habitats. This week we’ll learn how to listen and watch for birds, and their nesting behaviour.
Distance and terrain: easy exploring of the surrounding forest and trails.
Time: 11 am to 12 pm
Cost: free
Location: Whitehorse. Exact location will be added soon.
Knee-High Nature: Little lives – Tuesday, August 5
Knee-High Nature programs are specifically designed to introduce little ones (ages four and under) and their caregivers to plants, animals and their habitats. This week is all about the little hidden things that are actually alive in the forest. We’ll go for a short walk to look for moss, lichen and mushrooms and discover all the colours that these things bring to the forest floor.
Distance and terrain: easy exploring of the surrounding forest and trails.
Time: 10 to 11 am
Cost: free
Location: Whitehorse. Exact location will be added soon.
Free Range Kids: Little lives – Tuesday, August 5
Free Range Kids programs are specifically designed to help youth ages 5 to 10 and their caregivers explore plants, animals and their habitats. This week is about how the biggest animals and the littlest plants are connected to one another. We’ll go for a short walk to look for living things, then play a game that helps us visualize the invisible strings that connect the Yukon’s biodiversity.
Distance and terrain: easy exploring of the surrounding forest and trails.
Time: 11 am to 12 pm
Cost: free
Location: Whitehorse. Exact location will be added soon.